Photo: Jerry Galindo
Language and writing lecturer Shaun McCrory has been teaching for 12 years. He first started teaching English Criminology in England and Spain. Eventually, his wife applied for a position in the United States, and he found a job at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and has been lecturing at UTRGV for almost a year. McCrory tells UTRGV Radio how his passion for teaching began.
[su_quote]“When I first started teaching English as a second language, it was the first time I really analyzed my own language. I realized the nuances and things I wanted to research further myself, and I thought the best way to do research was at a different university. So, bilingualism has always interested me, and what a wonderful area to come and study bilingualism.”[/su_quote]
McCrory encourages his students to join the linguistics seminars held every Thursday available to students and staff.
[su_quote]“It’s an opportunity for faculty and students who are doing research in language to present the research. All kinds of levels can go, and anybody with any interest in language and linguistics, it’s a wonderful opportunity to go listen and see how good UTRGV is. And you receive free pizza, free soda, and it’s just on a Thursday for an hour or so.”[/su_quote]
McCrory tells UTRGV Radio that before leaving Europe his view of the United States was not the best, but he tells us why his mind set has changed.
[su_quote]“I was so struck by when I came how different it was to what I expected. The people are super friendly. In class, the vast majority are very attentive, interested to learn. But, I’m always struck by how industrious the students are and how they love to engage in class and communication, so debate is used in class all very, very prolonged. In Europe, that’s not always the case.”[/su_quote]
McCrory believes students who wish to pursue or have an interest in language studies should keep an open mind and be prepared to change the long-held opinions they have about language.
For more information on the linguistic seminars you can visit Mr. McCrory’s office at ELABS 205 in Edinburg.
