AY22-23 Adjunct Instructor of Spanish for Heritage Speakers
Employment Type : Full-Time
Position Details Proposed Start Date 09/16/2022
Working Title AY22-23 Adjunct Instructor of Spanish for Heritage Speakers
Department 221000 - FLL Foreign Languages
Position Number D97751-00
Representation AP - AFT, Local 3571
Position Summary Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept The Department of World Languages and Literatures plays a central role in preparing the students of Portland State University to function in the global community. Because we believe that language is central to that ability, we offer instruction in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Norwegian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Vietnamese. The Department is committed to teaching for proficiency. All of our language classes are designed to develop functional skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for eventual use in a broad variety of real-world settings.
Position Summary The Spanish program in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at Portland State University invites applicants to join our team of instructors. Depending on the needs of the program and as an Adjunct Instructor of Second- and/or Third-Year Spanish for heritage speakers, you may teach Second- and/or Third-Year Spanish heritage language courses (SPAN 201H, 202H, 203H, 301H, 302H, and/or 303H). Each course follows a set program (syllabus, schedule, scope and sequence, textbook) provided by the Spanish heritage language coordinator. Our courses are communicative in nature, and our priority is to support our Spanish-English bilinguals achieve their academic and language goals, as well as to develop language confidence, celebrate multilingual identities, and promote social justice through diverse class materials.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Teach courses in the Second- and/or Third- Year Spanish heritage language sequence according to the needs of the program, following the program established by the SHL coordinator.
- Support students in achieving the established learning outcomes.
- Present concepts to students in a clear, coherent manner, and provide constructive feedback in a timely manner.
- Create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students of diverse cultural, economic, social and educational backgrounds.
- Evaluate student learning in accordance with the course design, and provide academic support and counseling as needed.
- Collaborate with other faculty and staff within the Spanish Section to support student success.
- Maintain regular communication with students and as directed by the SHL coordinator.
- Support Spanish Section efforts to recruit and retain students, as well as place them appropriately.
- Maintain regular office hours. Teaching faculty are required to schedule a minimum of 2 hours of office hours per week during the term(s) that you teach, and be available to their students by appointment. Office hours must be communicated to the WLL staff at world@pdx.edu one business week before classes begin.
- Participate in professional development activities.
- Maintain active communication and cooperation with the SHL coordinator, including meeting as needed.
- Complete instructional duties, including grade reports and any other required paperwork, in a timely manner.
- Comply with all department and university policies.
Minimum Qualifications - Master’s degree (or higher) in Spanish, Spanish Linguistics, Spanish Literature, or equivalent degree
- At least two years of experience teaching Spanish as a heritage language at the college level
- Experience working with Latinx communities and first-generation college students
- Native or near-native fluency in Spanish and English
- Ability to complete all required tasks without continued direct supervision
Preferred Qualifications - Ph.D. in Spanish linguistics or a related field
- Significant experience working with heritage speakers of Spanish at the college level (is preferred for a 300-level course assignment)
- Familiarity with research and inclusive pedagogical practices related to Spanish heritage language teaching and Spanish in the U.S.
- Experience working with Latinx communities and first-generation college students
- Demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction and utilize other pedagogical strategies to meet the needs of a diverse student population
- Experience using technology to enhance language learning
- Experience developing and implementing communicative student-centered activities for teaching Spanish as a heritage language.
- Up-to-date with current research in the field
- Membership in MLA, ACTFL, COFLT, or other related professional association
Key Cultural Competencies - Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
- Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
- Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
- Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Required Professional Standards of Conduct At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at www.pdx.edu/hr/professional-standards-conduct.
Compensation $1,120 per credit ($4,480 for each 4-credit course)
Application Instructions Additional Information 2 letters of recommendation will be requested only if you are selected as a finalist.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No
Background Check Required Yes