Professor/Dean, Middle East School III (December 17, 2007 - Present)

Professor/Academic Specialist

 

Visiting Professor of Arabic, Summer Intensive Language Program (SILP)

• Academic & Activities Coordinator

• Responsible for all academic and cultural aspects of the Arabic Intensive Summer Program; Interviewed and selected instructors, Planned the curriculum, Approved daily/weekly syllabus of instruction, quizzes, and testing material, Organized and supervised all cultural activities
   

Gordon Gray, Jr. Senior Lecturer in Arabic Studies, Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures

• Taught Elementary Arabic I, Elementary Arabic II, Intermediate Arabic I, Intermediate Arabic II, and third year Arabic: Composition and Style in Arabic Literature, Media Arabic, Heritage Lerner's Class, Supervised Readings, also taught in Columbia Arabic Summer Program. Developed a wide variety of proficiency-oriented supplemental and enrichment material, grammatical explanations, exercises, drills, and quizzes.

• Developed and implemented a web-based project: “The Story of Sami and Warda,” which consists of twenty-two original authentic texts for listening and reading comprehension.

• Selected and developed web-based comprehension questions for eighteen Arabic texts.

• Established a tutoring program for all Arabic language students.

• Developed and taught a proficiency-based interactive curriculum for third year Arabic course entitled Media Arabic I and II. Syllabus based entirely on authentic texts and current events.

• Introduced and taught a new course specifically designed for “Heritage Students of Arabic”.  This is an intensive course that combines elementary and intermediate curricula in one year. Created interactive syllabus and all course materials. Heritage course description is posted on MEALAC home page under Arabic.
   

• Additional Supplementary Materials and Course Development: In an effort to supplement the textbook with appropriate material that can help our students achieve the desired proficiency goal, I have developed a number of course packs for every level of Arabic that we teach. All this material has been validated in the classroom and is being used by our Arabic instruction team both in class and in the Lab during the two academic semesters and throughout the two summer program sessions:

  • Course pack for Elementary Arabic I (84 pages)

  • Course pack for Elementary Arabic II (78 pages)

  • Course pack for Intermediate Arabic I (69 pages)

  • Course pack for Intermediate Arabic II (56 pages)

  • Course pack for Third Year Media Arabic I (156 pages)

    • No textbook is available. This material is the actual textbook.

  • Course pack for Third Year Media Arabic II (242 pages)

    • No textbook is available. This material is the actual textbook.

  • The Story of Sami and Warda: 22 original texts for listening and reading comprehension. (70 pages)

    •  I wrote, recorded and made available on line.

    • These texts are suitable for all levels of Arabic we teach at MEALAC.

  • Show and Tell: Conversation in Pictures (50 pages)

  • A course pack with questions for speaking activities and conversation (26 pages)

  • Course pack with comprehension questions on selected and recorded texts online (36 pages)
     

• Created and successfully integrated into the curriculum a language lab hour for elementary and intermediate classes. Trained instructors on lab equipment use. Developed and recorded most of the web-based material.  Introduced a weekly conversation hour in a round table setting.

• Received a grant from the School of Continuing Education to develop supplementary material for the Arabic language classes. Project was completed and all material was integrated into the curriculum. (2002)

• Received a joint grant from the Language Resource Center and the Middle East Institute at Columbia University to select, edit and record selections of classical and modern Arabic poetry for the advanced classes. Project completed. (2005-2007)

Coordinator of the Arabic Language Program

• As the Coordinator of the Arabic Language Program, I report directly to the Chair of the department and manage all aspects of the program:  faculty, students, academic schedule, registration, syllabus, testing, material development, web- based projects and curriculum design.

• Streamlined the registration process for all Arabic language classes.  Wrote and implemented new guidelines that simplified registration. Guidelines are posted on MEALAC home page under Arabic.

• Redesigned the entire syllabus for all elementary and intermediate classes to enhance the proficiency level.  Increased frequency of interaction between instructors and students.

Director of Columbia Arabic Summer Program (CASP)

• As the initiator of the program, I wrote the original proposal, presented it to management and served as the Director of the program since its inception in 2001.  It has been an integral part of my commitment and responsibility to ensure its continuity and success.

• As Director, I manage all aspects of CASP throughout the academic year and during the summer. I have taught almost every summer, at least one class.  Among other things, my responsibilities include the following:
      Respond to all email and correspondence from management, prospective students and all personnel interested in the summer program. Verify and screen all faculty and student applications. Advertise for, interview, hire and train a team of instructors. Advertise for, interview, hire and train an Assistant to the Director, (beginning in the summer of 2005). Set up the curriculum for the two summer sessions (12 weeks) Outline the entire syllabus for the two sessions and ensure its effective implementation. Schedule and administer, with team members, all placement tests and place students in the appropriate levels and sections (Both Columbia and non-Columbia students). Reserve smart rooms for all classes and order text books. Prepare all quizzes, mid terms and final exams for all classes (with input supplied by the team of instructors). Prepare and make available all supplementary materials for all levels. Prepare and make available all text material for third year classes, (Media Arabic) Textbook materials are all my own.  No commercial textbook is available. Coordinate and plan all cultural activities associated with the program to include reservations and financial accounting for Movies, Arabic Cookery days, Museum trips, authentic meals at selected restaurants, cultural and linguistic games, Middle Eastern musical performances, guest speakers, etc. Hold weekly meetings with the team of instructors. Participate in weekly class observations/ demonstrations, when necessary. Apply team teaching strategy by ensuring teacher rotation among sections (one hour/week) and co-teach when necessary. Be available from 9AM – 2PM, Monday – Thursday to answer all student/instructor questions. Advise instructors on linguistic and pedagogical issues as necessary. Ensure all academic and cultural activities, quizzes, and tests are performed properly and on time. Ensure the syllabus is implemented properly. Ensure all grades are posted on time. Coordinate, lead and participate in all cultural activities. Ensure a smooth and academically sound transition of the program to the Director in Residence on the day classes commence (beginning in the summer of 2005).  I also remain with the program throughout the first week of classes to ensure a smooth start. Remain in touch with the Director in Residence (as necessary) via email and phone for advisement and guidance throughout the entire program (beginning in the summer of 2005).

Chair of "The Arabic Studies Seminar"

• University Seminars at Columbia University. (Fall semester 2005)
   

Visiting Professor of Arabic, Summer Intensive Language Program (SILP)

• Responsible for Intermediate Arabic class.  Developed all supplementary and testing materials.
   

Lecturer, Department of International Communication and Culture

• Initiated Arabic Program and taught Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Arabic language and culture. Established Distance Learning Program in Arabic. Simultaneously taught Arabic language and culture to students at SUNY Cortland and SUNY Fredonia. Developed tests and enrichment material.
   

Visiting Assistant Professor of Arabic, Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies

• Taught Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Arabic language and literature
   

Director and Founder

• In April of 1995, I founded Global Enterprises, Academic Learning & Resource Center. Served as the director and manager of this center which offered a wide variety of both enrichment and remedial courses in addition to foreign languages, study skills, organizational techniques and homework assistance to students of all ages and grades.
   

Chairperson of Arabic Department C

• Served as Subject Matter Expert and Consultant to top management for technical and linguistic expertise.  Responsible for the implementation and results of the entire instructional program.  Monitored students’ progress and program effectiveness. Recommended curriculum changes and validated new course material.  Trained instructors and taught all phases of the instructional program.  Developed program of instruction for new courses, selected textbook materials and wrote new grading policy. Nominated to ad hoc committees to review the Institute’s academic and administrative policies and procedures.  Participated in off-campus seminars as a spokesperson for the school. Managed a newly created department of twenty-seven instructors and 120 students.  Was the sole administrator in the department and was in charge of both human and material resources. Supervised, observed, counseled and evaluated all teachers in the department.  Recognized exemplary teachers and took appropriate action to train or remove non-performers.  Interviewed and recommended new employees for hiring. Recognized by the school dean for students’ results and for maintaining the highest standards of leadership as both a master teacher and administrator/manager of a complex group of instructors from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Supervisory Training Instructor

• Exercised technical and administrative supervision of 14 training instructors (Arabic Language).  Planned, organized, coordinated and supervised language training activities and workforce to include class scheduling and workload distribution.  Evaluated instructor performance and language training effectiveness through classroom/laboratory visits and means of feedback data.  Recommended in-service faculty training.  Participated in planning and conducting in-service training, conferences, and seminars.  Provided guidance to subordinate instructor personnel on maintenance of instructional materials.  Determined the need for instructional media for classes.  Supervised and coordinated their utilization to include audio-visual training aids.  Coordinated a complete and balanced instructional program for classes/sections supervised.  Conducted formal language instruction.  Introduced all aspects of the target language.  Taught pronunciation, listening comprehension, oral communication, reading comprehension, and the writing system.  Taught area studies and specialized military and technical terminology.  Evaluated student progress in terms of meeting interim and terminal objectives.  Reviewed, evaluated, and interpreted student academic performance based on available records and personal observation.  Monitored instructional techniques and materials, recommended updating, revising and improving instructional materials, techniques, policies and procedures.  Validated the new Arabic Basic Course (From the Gulf to the Ocean), supervised the writing of lab materials, tests and quizzes and wrote the grading policy.  Supervised the writing, the recording, filming and editing of two tapes on Syrian and Saudi dialects.

Academic Specialist

• Served as language learning and instructional resource for a foreign language teaching team.  Fulfilled responsibilities of coordinating both program and teaching components of team teaching.  Served as Subject Matter Expert and resource for management, staff, and faculty.  Developed and modified materials, distributed materials, coordinated student matters.  Planned class schedules, prepared teaching assignments, recommended in-class activities and coordinated team teaching.  Trained team members in latest instructional methodologies and participated in establishing learning objectives.  Implemented sound management techniques in facilitating team effort and fostering cooperation and positive support of the Defense Language Institute’s mission. Developed evaluation standards, assessed and monitored student progress in relation to the Foreign Language Objectives, and coordinated team effort in developing and adapting materials and activities to ensure highest levels of language proficiency are achieved by students.  Conferred with Department Chair in development and implementation of instructional programs.  Mentored colleagues through all phases of instructional sequencing.  Recommended professional training for team members and organized schedules to accommodate training.  Taught all aspects of Arabic in a culturally authentic matrix.  Assessed students’ progress and provided counseling and enrichment and remediation programs.  Conducted lectures and courses on Cross-Cultural Communication, Arabic culture, language, literature, poetry, and influences in international relations.  Students in my classes consistently achieved exceptional levels of proficiency.

Teaching Coordinator / Program Coordinator

• As Teaching Coordinator, served as a role model in providing comprehensive second language acquisition instruction.  Applied a range of methodologies and incorporated computer-assisted instructional techniques into the program of instruction.  Trained team members in techniques and current developments of foreign language instruction. Taught all levels of Modern Standard Arabic within an authentic context emphasizing detailed area background.  Implemented instructional strategies to effectively meet the established course and training objectives.  Assessed student needs and proficiency levels, monitored progress, provided remediation and enrichment.  In July 1992, my graduating class achieved record setting proficiency scores.  As Program Coordinator, facilitated the development of course content, lesson and team learning objectives and development of materials and approaches to meet changing user agency needs. Designed, developed, adapted and revised tests and quizzes, and applied evaluative tools to determine efficiency and accuracy of test materials.  Designed teaching plans and objectives.  As a Mentor, effectively promoted an atmosphere of cooperation, harmony and team spirit.

Foreign Language Team Mentor / Training Instructor

• Served as the role model for my team and coordinated team training and education.  Organized the sequencing of instructional materials and provided teaching assignments.  Coordinated modification and supplementation of the curriculum.  Facilitated needs analyses with other team members.  Facilitated the design, development and validation of new proficiency-oriented materials.  Reviewed materials for currency and effectiveness in relation to course objectives and updated existing course materials. Utilized the audiovisual global structural approach and computer applications (interactive video disk; implementation of HyperCard instructional materials).  As a Training Instructor, taught courses in Basic Arabic (“Go”; Syrian Dialect; Modern Standard Arabic) and conducted remedial sessions, corrected homework, counseled students and provided remediation program with follow up.  As a team member, developed a variety of materials such as speaking exercises, translation activities, grammatical notes, daily quizzes and tests. Material was shared with other team members.  Reviewed existing tests and quizzes for correction and updating.  Met with students regularly to discuss individual feedback. Recommended methods for improvement and provided timely results of tests.

Course Writer

• Developed supplementary and enrichment materials, grammatical notes and exercises, homework assignments and drills for a basic course implementing the audiovisual global structural approach in Modern Standard Arabic.  Course entitled, “From the Gulf to the Ocean”.

Ph.D. Committee Member

• Second reader of Ph.D. dissertation for Ph.D. candidate from the University of San Francisco, Department of Education.
   

Associate Professor of Comparative Literature

• Taught courses on Arab-American writers (graduate seminars), World Literature, Literary Criticism and Romantic and Victorian Poetry.  Served on the Curriculum and Development Committee which was tasked with facilitating and restructuring the Master of Arts Program and creating the Ph.D. program.  Planned, organized and developed new language courses. Served as Advisor to undergraduate students. Coordinated students’ activities and recommended specific courses.  Supervised master’s theses of graduate students.
   

Instructor of Arabic Language & Cultural Informant

• Taught all levels of Arabic language in an intensive summer program.  Developed and revised course material: lessons, grammatical exercises, cultural background and tests.
   

Visiting Lecturer of Arabic Language & Literature

• Taught courses that included Beginning and Advanced Colloquial Arabic, Advanced Classical Arabic and Arabic Literature in Translation (Classical and Modern).  Designed and developed material for the Colloquial Arabic course: textbook, oral and written exercises, tests and quizzes.
   

Instructor of Arabic Languages, Interpreter, & Translator

• Implemented Berlitz’ internationally renowned teaching methodology in teaching adult students from a range of backgrounds.  Coordinated a rigorous schedule of translation, course development and interpretation to accomplish the projects assigned by the School Director. Designed and developed all of the material for an Arabic Cultural project.  Developed an updated dialect course material.  Served as an interpreter in local courts. This level of interpretation required an outstanding knowledge of Colloquial and Standard English, as well as basic knowledge of technical and legal terminology.
   

Supervisor of the Arabic Division of "Translated Research and Instruction Program"

• Coordinated efforts of five translators, which culminated in the publication of two volumes of poetry by the University.  Selected material (prose and poetry), acted as a technical and linguistic resource for the translators and edited the translations prior to publication.  Publications included works of many writers including my own.

Teaching Assistant

• Taught courses on Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Arabic, Composition, Topics in Arabic Literature, Selections from Classical and Modern Arabic Literature.  Developed, selected and adapted new materials (Intermediate and Advanced courses).  Produced supplementary exercises, tests and quizzes.  Created all materials for two Language Labs.  Established comprehensive series of tapes of Modern Standard Arabic and Syrian Dialect.  Recorded tapes on Arabic poetry in Vernacular language (Zajal) and on Classical and Modern Arabic Literature.  Tutored Arabic Literature, Rhetoric, and Prosody.
   

Translator

• Translated a driver’s manual for use in Saudi Arabia which required a thorough knowledge of technical terminology and an excellent command of Modern Standard Arabic and English.  Manuscript was approved and published by the Saudi government.  I also recorded the manuscript on a film strip that illustrated the driver’s manual.
   

Linguistic Consultant for computerized translation program

• In charge of the Arabic language components for a state-of-the-art translation program (English to Arabic).  Designed specific equivalents; rewrote linguistic and grammatical rules; compiled extensive vocabulary and phrases with English equivalents.  Served as advisor on matters of language usage and complexities of translation.
   

Principal

• Responsible for administrative and academic functions of the school.  Selected teachers, approved the general schedule and the program of instruction.  Updated the curriculum, conducted weekly faculty meetings, and approved the budget.
   

Senior Instructor of Arabic Language, Literature, & Prosody

• Taught Arabic literature, language and grammar.  Developed supplementary material, tests, and quizzes.  Coordinator of the Arabic Program for the Secondary classes.  Supervised cultural and academic activities.  Organized a series of lectures by prominent writers.
   

Senior Instructor of Arabic Grammar, Rhetoric, & History

• Taught courses on all levels of Arabic language with emphasis on rhetoric and prosody. Selected textbook materials.  Scheduled remedial sessions.  Developed supplementary and enrichment materials.
   

Instructor of Arabic

• Supervised Arabic component of the intensive summer program.  Selected textbook materials and taught advanced courses in language and culture.