Christa Schuller

Christa holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Klagenfurt in Austria where she also received her M.A. in German Philology and English and American Studies after graduating from the University of Waterloo with a B.A. in Honours German. Having studied and worked abroad first in Germany and then primarily in Austria for 15 years, Christa taught at all levels of education before finding her passion for teaching at the post-secondary level. During her time in Austria, Christa taught a variety of English courses at the University of Klagenfurt and at the Teacher’s College of Carinthia. Since 2008, Christa has been teaching both undergraduate and graduate English for Multilingual Speakers (EMLS) courses at Renison University College, where she has had the opportunity to teach students from every corner of the globe. Christa believes her experiences abroad, first as an exchange student and then as an educator, have allowed her to better understand her students, reflect on their needs and implement them in the classroom. Since 2011, she has also taught in and coordinated the English Language Program in the International Optometric Bridging Program (IOBP) at the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo. At present, Christa is the graduate student advisor for the EMLS courses. In addition, she holds a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and has taught in the Teaching English as a Second Language (ACE-TESOL) programs offered at Renison University College. Her areas of interest include Oral Communication, Pronunciation, Second Language Teaching, and Language Testing & Assessment.

Selected Conference Presentations

Schuller, C. & Heeney, M. (2014, October). ‘Culturally Bound: Breaking down Barriers for Internationally-educated Professionals. Paper presented at Annual TESL Ontario Conference, Toronto, ON.

Schuller, C. & Heeney, M. (2014, May). ‘Culturally Bound: Giving New Vision to Internationally-educated Professionals. Paper presented at TESL Canada Conference, Regina, SASK.

Schuller, C., Heeney, M., Skinner, P., & Rehm, S. (2013, October). Seeing Through Cultural Lenses: International Optometric Bridging Program (IOBP). Paper presented at CEBSA Language is Key-Opening Doors to the Future Symposium, Toronto, ON.

Schuller, C. (2007, September). The End of Trials and Tribulations in Language Test Development and Construction: The EALTA Guidelines. Paper presented at New Developments in EFL across All Levels Conference, Klagenfurt, Austria.

Courses Taught

EMLS 101R: Oral Communication for Academic Purposes

EMLS 103R: Effective English Pronunciation

EMLS 102R: Clear Communication in English Writing

EMLS 110R: Critical Expressions in Canadian Academic Contexts

EMLS 129R: Written Academic English

EMLS 601R: Speaking English for Professional Purposes (Graduate Course)

EMLS 602R: Scholarly Writing in English (Graduate Course)

EMLS 622R: Thesis Writing in English (Graduate Course)

ENGL 140R: The Use of English 1

APPLS 306R: Second Language Assessment and Testing

ARTS 130: Inquiry and Communication (My Language, My Life)