BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College is excited to host four Fulbright Scholars for the 2022-2023 academic year. This is part of the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Program.
Mariangeles (Marian) Hernández, of Argentina, Aya Zagha, of Jordan, Yichun Lin, of Taiwan, and Morgan Lebleu, of France, are teaching language and culture courses to Bethany students in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and French.
Hernández comes from General José de San Martín in Argentina. She is teaching Spanish language and culture classes and holds a B.A. in teaching English as a foreign language and another in education, and has a post-bachelor’s in law, pedagogy, and social education. She is also working on a third degree in teachers’ rights and holistics. Hernández has worked for six years as an ESL instructor and has taught courses in teacher education. She is extremely well-versed in different teaching methodologies and describes herself as a “gamification and AR enthusiast” who is constantly seeking innovative activities, methodologies, and approaches for her students. As a cultural ambassador, she is deeply committed to fostering intercultural awareness, not only in academic settings, but in all the social groups and areas.
“I am thrilled to be part of this amazing and prestigious College because it’s a great opportunity to interact with people from all around the world, get a better understanding of other cultures and ways of seeing the world, and learn from faculty members of world-class academic and professional qualifications and achievements,” says Hernández. “I hope to bring the Argentine warmness and culture to all Bethanians, and to give all of those who want to learn the fourth most spoken language in the world the opportunity to do so.”
Zagha was born and resides in Amman, Jordan, and is teaching Arabic language and culture courses. She holds a Masters in English literature from the Jordan Branch of the Arab Open University and a B.A. in Spanish and English language from the University of Jordan in Amman. Zagha has over six years of teaching experience, primarily as an academic coordinator and English instructor at the Yarmouk Cultural Center and at the Islamic Educational College in Amman. She believes that speaking someone’s language is the first step to remove any cultural barriers that can stand between the speaker and the listener. She says that a cultural ambassador is someone who believes in cultural diversity, respects other people’s opinions, and is willing to understand the cultural differences between peoples worldwide.
“It is sometimes greatly beneficial for instructors to see things from students’ perspective. Furthermore, from the very beginning, I was welcomed and embraced by Bethany’s big family, I would say, and this is what makes me more eager to blend in and know everything about American culture,” says Zagha. “I am representing my country, Jordan, and holding Arabic culture with me. So, I hope to have a positive impact on people around me, contribute to bridging the cultural gap, and improve intercultural understanding.”
Lin lives in the port city of Keelung on the northeastern coast of Taiwan. She is teaching Chinese language and culture courses. Lin holds a masters in English language from the University of Essex in the U.K. She also has post-bachelors in elementary education and a B.A. in economics. Lin has over 15 years of language teaching experience with children and adults. She is fascinated by the connection between a language and its culture and says learning a new language is like being embraced by its culture and traditions. Lin sees her function as cultural ambassador as one that creates personal connections different than ones seen in the media.
“I’m excited to be here because it’s a completely different lifestyle and experience from where I’m from. It’s also great to be able to learn and teach at the same time,” says Lin. “I hope to carry out the mission of a cultural ambassador and help students learn more about Taiwan and its language.”
Lebleu was born in Reims, northeast of Paris, and lives in the town of Fisme. He is teaching French language and culture courses this year. Lebleu holds a B.A. in English and a master’s in teaching English from the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne. He has three years of experience teaching English in primary and secondary schools, most recently at University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne. Lebleu says the key to accepting difference is understanding it, and this understanding will help to create “transatlantic bonds.”
“Bethany is a real opportunity for me to experience the American lifestyle and culture,” says Lebleu. “Moreover, the diversity on campus will provide me with a lot of knowledge to help me better understand the world we live in.”
The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is designed to develop Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures and languages. Educators from more than 50 countries teach more than 30 languages at hundreds of U.S. colleges and universities, according to the Fulbright website.
Bethany College began hosting Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants in 2011.
ABOUT BETHANY COLLEGE
Bethany College, founded in 1840, is the oldest private college in West Virginia. The Bethany experience focuses on academic excellence in the area of liberal arts and prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance.
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