Fernanda Capraro

Degrees and Institutions

Ph.D. Foreign Language Education, The Ohio State University
M.A. Spanish Literature, Wayne State University
B.A. Spanish and Bilingual/Bicultural Education, Eastern Michigan University

Area: English for Speakers of Other Languages
Research Interests: Vocabulary Development, Academic Writing, International Teaching Assistants, Teaching Excellence, Technology in the Classroom

Bio Statement: I became an English as a second language (ESL) learner at the age of six when my family immigrated from Italy. I was the first in my family to attend college. Because of my love of languages and an inspiring Spanish professor at Eastern Michigan University, I pursued my undergraduate major in Spanish and minored in bilingual/bicultural and secondary education. I later completed a master's degree in Peninsular and Latin American literature from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and a Ph.D. degree in Foreign Language Education from Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. My teaching experiences have been in English as a second language (ESL), English for international graduate assistants, Spanish, and Italian in higher education. I have also taught academic writing to graduate students as well as academic and research writing to first-year students. 

During my leisure time, I enjoy reading, gardening, mindfulness activities, walking, stretching and strengthening, tai chi, and spending time with family and friends.

Courses Taught

ENG 6040: Graduate Writing
ENG 3800: Linguistics for English Teachers
ESOL 1010: Academic Composition II
ESOL 1030: Academic Speaking and Listening I
ESOL 1040 Academic Listening and Speaking II
ESOL 5000: Academic Composition I
ESOL 5010: Academic Composition II
ESOL 5030: Intermediate Listening and Speaking
ESOL 5050: English for International Graduate Students II
ESOL 5080: Advanced Listening and Speaking
ESOL 6080 Academic and Professional Oral Communication
HNRS 4980 Honors Project Proposal
HNRS 4990 Honors Project
LING 2900 Introduction to Linguistics
WRIT 1110 Seminar in Academic Writing
WRIT 1120: Seminar in Research Writing

EDTL 640: TESOL Methods
EDTL 963: Language Testing
EDTL 887: Field Experience
EDTL 104: Spoken English for Business Students
Intensive English Courses (reading, writing, listening/speaking and grammar)

Select Publications

“Reflections on Using Peer Review in an L2 Writing Course,” The Newsletter of the Second Language Writing Interest Section. Invited. (October 2015). http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/tesolslwis/issues/

“Vocabulary Dialogue Quizzes,” The Newsletter of International Teaching Assistants Interest Section. (2014). http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/tesolitais/issues/2014-01-15/1.html

Select Presentations

"Using Visual Prompts to Stimulate Fluency Writing," TESOL 2024 Virtual Convention, April 2024.

“Meeting Diverse Student Needs in a New Writing Course Design,” Consortium Graduate Communication 2019 Summer Institute, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, June 2019.

“Using Socrative for Paraphrasing Practice in Writing Classes,” Electronic Village Technology Fair, TESOL 2019 International Convention and English Language Expo, Atlanta, GA, March 2019.

“Using Socrative for Grammar Activities in Writing and Listening/Speaking Classes,” Electronic Village Technology Fair, TESOL 2018 International Convention & English Language Expo, Chicago, IL, March 2018.

“Using Kahoot! In Writing and Listening/Speaking Classes.” Electronic Village 2017, TESOL International Convention & English Language Expo, Seattle, WA, March 2017.

“Peer Review: The Before and After Times.” Roundtable Discussion: Supporting Graduate Student Writing Development, Promoting Graduate Student Success. Center Faculty Excellence Teaching and Learning Fair, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, March 2016.

“Vocabulary Dialogue Quizzes.” 2nd Annual National Geographic Learning Ι Michigan State University Learning Symposium, E. Lansing, MI, April 2014.

“How to Provide Effective Feedback for Students’ Spoken English.” Annual Ohio Conference of Teachers to Speakers of Other Languages (Ohio TESOL), Columbus, OH, November 2010.

Memberships

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Ohio Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (Ohio TESOL)
Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA)
Michigan Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (MITESOL)
Consortium Graduate Communication (CGC)
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)