TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Eric teaches undergraduate students and international graduate students the pleasures and perils of speaking and writing English at the University of Southern California. He holds the title of master lecturer and advises the American Language Institute's Conversation Group program. A former inner city high school teacher, adult education instructor and community college lecturer, Eric currently teaches at an elite private university in Southern California. He is also the co-author of 'Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics' (Chimayo Press), an innovative conversation textbook for intermediate and advanced English language learners. The critically-acclaimed, fluency-focused ESL/EFL book has been used in over 50 countries. It has also led to a series of special versions: 'Compelling Conversations - Vietnam' (2012), 'Compelling American Conversations' (2012), and 'Compelling Conversations - Japan' (2015). In 2017, he co-authored a second edition of 'Compelling Conversations - Vietnam: Speaking Activities for Vietnamese Learners of English' with Teresa Nguyen. His most recent book, 'Creating Compelling Conversations: Reproducible Search and Share Activities for English Teachers' (2019), provides over 80 communicative activities.

MY TEACHING STYLE

Ask more. Know more. Share more. Create compelling conversations. This pithy statement captures my core teaching philosophy. English students want to share experiences and insights on contemporary topics - and expand their practical and academic vocabulary. Quotations and proverbs, from differing points of view, also encourage discussions, model excellent communication, and develop critical thinking skills. Students hold longer discussions, learn about their classmates, and gain practical experience. Let's create better, deeper, and more enjoyable conversations and stronger, more nuanced writings - even in English! I also believe in "good mistakes". We learn, as the proverb goes, to walk and dance by stumbling.

HONORS/AWARDS/SHINING TEACHER MOMENT

USC Teaching with Technology 2013, 2012 http://compellingconversations.com/bios.php

MY OWN EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

B.A. - Wabash College M.A. - New School Ryan Adult Education Credential/ESL - UCLA TESOL presenter 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 CATESOL State Conferences 2003, 2005, 2006-17 TESOL Conventions 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012,2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Visit www.compellingconversations.com for more information, including presentations, articles, and more sample chapters.

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Eric has written for over 25 publications as a journalist and freelance writer. He is also a co-founder of Chimayo Press, an independent micro-publisher of books designed to spread enlightenment values and elevate global conversations. Visit www.compellingconversations.com or www.ChimayoPress.com for more information.