Teaching

Learning is a complex process. Linguistics is a field that many people find curious, as we discuss languages in terms of science. Teaching linguistics requires re-framing the thinking of students with regards to the relationship between languages and the scientific aspects of language studies. Also, this shift in perspective applies to learning the grammar of a language (e.g., ASL) dissimilar to English, which often vexes new learners of typologically different languages (e.g., ASL). There are times when students easily learn new concepts from class, but other times when students struggle with new concepts. There are times when students connect all concepts at once and see the big picture, and other times when students piece concepts together step-by-step. I am intrigued by my students and their individual learning styles. I try my best to accommodate them with a variety of verbal, audio, visual, and written materials.

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Erin Wilkinson

Professor

Department of Linguistics

University of New Mexico