Methodist University - Modern Languages and Literature Faculty

Faculty

Dr. Linda Cristina Francescon
Chair, Department of Modern Languages and Literature
Professor of Languages

Dr. Cristina A. Francescon, studied at the University of Bologna and Indiana University, Bloomington for her undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Linguistics, and her two Masters in literature and linguistics. She received her PhD. in Spanish and Italian from Middlebury College. Her special interest area includes but is not limited to the influences of Italian literature on the Renaissance literature of Spain, WWII history of Italy, and the Arab influence on Spain and Spanish literature. She speaks five languages fluently and has lived and worked in several countries besides Italy, Spain and the USA, including Morocco and Japan.

Office: T-111
Phone: (910) 630-7082
E-Mail:

Dr. Joan Bitterman
Professor of French and German

After graduating from Dominican University of San Rafael, California, with an interdisciplinary B.A. in French and English, Joan Bitterman lived in France and Germany, becoming equally interested in both national languages. She returned to the United States to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oregon, where she had the privilege of working with inspiring and charismatic professors. In 1991 she defended her doctoral dissertation in 20th-century narrative, and then spent a year as a visiting assistant professor at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. The following year she accepted a full-time position at Methodist University, drawn by the prospect of a small school and familial atmosphere.

Living abroad, however, is what she prefers, especially in French- and German-speaking countries where fluency in those languages lends new interest to everyday communication. Her primary goal in the foreign language classroom is to prepare students to have an equally rewarding experience, focusing on grammar and writing skills as a pre-requisite to proficiency in speaking and understanding the target language. Her classes are generally small, about ten students on average, and everyone speaks French or German every day, either in chorus, in small groups, or tête à tête with a partner or the professor. The students grow quite comfortable with each other, frequently studying in groups and cultivating friendships that extend beyond the classroom.

Office: T-228
Phone: (910) 630-7073
E-Mail:

Ms. Rocío Castañeda Ochiltree
Instructor of Spanish

Ms. Rocío Castañeda Ochiltree received her undergraduate degree in Humanities with a concentration in Psychology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Perú. She holds a MA degree plus from the same institution in Education and Language Learning Pedagogy. Her special interest areas include learning disabilities of the hearing impaired and pedagogical problems and difficulties of students associated with the learning of Spanish. Ms. Castañeda Ochiltree has recently rejoined the Department of Modern Languages and Literature.

Office: T-112
Phone: (910) 630-7058
E-Mail:

Mrs. Jan Turner
Instructor of ESL/TESL

Jan Turner has a master’s degree in Linguistics from Ohio University and an undergraduate degree in Education from Abilene Christian University, Texas. Her college teaching experiences include Duke University, United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, University of Central Florida and Sichuan Institute of Foreign Languages in Chongqing, People’s Republic of China. Additionally, she has taught ESL and English in the public schools in Ohio, Florida and North Carolina. Besides teaching, Jan’s hobbies include playing piano and flute, tennis, bicycling, and attempting new international food recipes.

Office: T-113
Phone: (910) 630-7361
E-Mail:

Adjunct Faculty

JUAN F. BOBADILLA
Instructor of Spanish

Juan F. Bobadilla was born and raised in Colombia South America. Juan is a former Methodist University alumni. He attended Cartagena’s University in Colombia and moved later to United States and attended Methodist University where he received his undergraduate degree in Spanish. He then went to Nova Southeastern University (NSU) for his graduate studies in Spanish Language Education. Juan has been an active member of the United States Arms Forces for the last 10 years and has an excellent background in Spanish Literature.

PATRICIO YAÑEZ
Instructor of Spanish

Department of Modern Languages & Literature