Irene’s Bio / CV

IRENE BROUWER KONYNDYK         

  •  Assistant Professor of French, Emerita
  • Calvin University, Grand Rapids, Michigan  49546
  • (616) 526-6366
  • E-mail:  irene.konyndyk@gmail.com 

 EDUCATION

  • M. A. degree—1973. Michigan State University.  (Major:  French      Minor:  Linguistics)      (Undergraduate major in German.)
  • Michigan Secondary Teaching Certificate—1973. Michigan State University.
  • B. A. degree—1971.  Calvin College (now University).  Major:  French      Minor:  German.  

 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE  

  • Assistant Professor of French—Calvin College (now University), 1991 and 1992 to 2012.
  • Assistant Professor Interdisciplinary Studies—Calvin College (now University), 1996 — 2001.
  • Director of Cross-cultural Engagement—Calvin College (now University), 2001–2004.
  • French Teacher—Lowell Public High School, January–June, 1992.
  • Dutch Instructor —Calvin College (now University), 1979–1989, 1990-92, 1994, 2013.
  • German Instructor – Calvin College (now University), 1977–1978.
  • ESL Tutor—1987–1989, 1994–1996.
  • Translator and Interpreter (Dutch and French)—1986 to present.
  • French and German Teacher—Lansing Christian High School, Lansing, Michigan, 1973–1976.
  • French Teaching Assistant—Michigan State University, 1971–1973.

 PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES (partial list)

Conference Papers / Workshops (partial list) on topic of ‘Foreign Language Learning and Learning Disabilities’:

  • “Strategizing for Students with Learning Difficulties” at the NACFLA (North American Christian Foreign Language Association) conference in Philadelphis, PA  (1998).
  • “Students with Learning Difficulties in Foreign and Second Language Classes:  How Can They Be Helped?” at George Mason University’s “Best Practices” conference in Fairfax, VA (2000).
  • “Teaching French (and Spanish) to Students with Dyslexia:  Comparative Perspectives” at the International Dyslexia (IDA) conference, Washington, DC (2002).
  • “Multisensory Structured Foreign Language – A Solution for Students with Learning Disabilities” at the Michigan Academy (2004).
  • “Multisensory Structured Foreign Language:  A Solution for Students with Learning Disabilities” at the MI-AHEAD (Michigan Association for Higher Education and Disabilities) conference in Lansing, MI (2004).
  • “Multisensory Structured Metacognitive Foreign Language – A Solution for Students with Learning Disabilities” Second International Conference on New Direction in the Humanities, Prato, Italy (July, 2004).
  • “French – Language of diversity:  What about Students with Learning Disabilities?” at the AATF (American Association of Teachers of French) conference, Québec City, Canada (July, 2005).
  • “Languages For All:  What about Students with Learning Disabilities?” at the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) conference, Baltimore, MD (November, 2005).
  • “Reading the World / Reading our Students:  Using a First-day Questionnaire as a Metacognitive Tool for Understanding Students with Learning Disabilities” at the NACFLA (North American Christian Foreign Language Association) conference at Point Loma Nazarene University, Point Loma, CA (March, 2009).
  • “Diversity in the Foreign Language Classroom:  What About Students with Learning Disabilities?” at the West Michigan College and University Presidents’ Compact Committee conference on Pedagogy and Scholarship across the Disciplines (September, 2009).
  • “Teaching Students Who Struggle to Learn World Languages” – One-week graduate workshop [IDIS 602] taught at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI (August, 2010).
  • “Let’s Get Practical! Using Direct & Explicit Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities” at the MIWLA (Michigan World Language Association) conference in Lansing, MI (October, 2010).
  • “Languages:  Gateway to Global Communities for Students with Learning Disabilities?  [Direct and Explicit Instructionto Make Languages Accessible to All]” at the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) conference in Boston, MA (November, 2010).
  • “Using a Questionnaire in a World Language Classroom to Help Identify At-risk Students” – Presentation at the MIWLA (Michigan World Language Association) conference in Lansing, MI (October, 2011).
  • “A Language for Everyone:  Meeting the Needs of Struggling Learners in a World Language Classroom” – Invited speaker for half-day workshop at the MIWLA (Michigan World Language Association) conference in Lansing, MI (October, 2011). 

Conference Presentations also given on “Culture in the Foreign Language Classroom” and on Student Teacher Supervision.  

Publications (Articles):

  • “Why Christians Should Take Seriously the Diverse Learning Needs of Students with Learning Disabilities” Journal of Christianity and Foreign Languages (Fall, 2003).
  • Abstract:  “Multisensory Structured Foreign Language:  A Solution for Students with Learning Disabilities” in Michigan Academician (Spring, 2004).
  • Abstract “Multisensory Structured Foreign Language:  A Solution for Students with Learning Disabilities” in The Second International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities (Summer, 2004).
  • “Direct and Explicit Instruction in the Foreign Language Classroom:  Showing Hospitality to Students with Learning Disabilities” Journal of Christianity and Foreign Languages Vol. 12 (Spring, 2011).

Publications (Book):

  • Foreign Languages for Everyone:  How I Learned to Teach Second Languages to Students with Learning Disabilities (Edenridge Press, 2011).

Translations (list available upon request):

Reviewer (list available upon request):

GRANTS (partial list):

  • Calvin College Fund for the Improvement of Teaching (1999).
  • Calvin Alumni Association Faculty Research Grant (2000).
  • Calvin Research Fellowship (Summer, 2006).
  • McGregor Summer Research Fellowship (2006).
  • Sabbatical Leave (2006-2007).
  • Calvin Research Fellowship (Fall 2007, Spring 2008).

 AWARDS:

  • Calvin College Innovative Teaching Award (February, 2011).
  • Calvin College Award for Collaborative Change (2015)