Sonia R Badenas

“The best way to improve your knowledge of a foreign language is to go and live amongits speakers. The next best way is to read extensively in it.” (Nuttall, C. 1982. Teaching reading skills in a foreign language. Heinemann Educational: London. 168)

I first came to Andrews University with my parents, in 1979, where my dad completed a PhD in New Testament at the Seminary. Who knew, that after graduating from the University of Geneva (Licence ès Lettres, 2000) and University of Grenoble (Français Langue Étrangère, 2005), I would be coming back as a professor! In December 2015, I achieved a PhD in Applied Linguistics at the Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain. My dissertation explores the use of francophone short stories in developing written expression in French as a Second Language. My current research explores the use of short stories and fairy tales in the movies with the aim of expanding proficiency in second language education classes. This interest can be seen across my classes, from intermediate French all the way to my upper division literature an film class or French Culture and Cuisine.

I am currently the Adventist Colleges Abroad Coordinator at Andrews University and I also serve on ACA the Curriculum Board. I firmly believe that full immersion

experiences have a great impact in the life of our students.

It is my privilege to serve on the Liberal Arts Council and on the Honors Council where as colleagues we dialogue for the best interest of our students´s curriculum.