D.E.A Université deMons, Belguim (1996)
Senior Lecturer in French 
Director of Language Instruction for Beginning and Intermediate French

Second language acquisition has been my focus.  I have taught numerous courses in Italian and French ranging from Beginning Italian to Advanced French Grammar, Advanced French Conversation, and French for Business.  In addition, I am coordinating the Undergraduate French Language Program, working with graduate teaching assistants.

I have lived in Nashville since 1996 after moving from Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, where I was raised.  

In September 2005, I received the Harriet S.  Gilliam Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in the College of Arts and Science.

Email me at: nathalie.d.porter@vanderbilt.edu


Teaching

I particularly enjoy teaching the Advanced French Conversation class since it allows me to use technology-aided methods and also to study different aspects of French culture, like the French cinema and press in order to foster communication skills.  

I have also beenb teaching French for Business for a number of years.  The class aims at enabling the students to function in a French-speaking working environment.  Their main project is to create their own business in a francophone country.  At the end of the semester, students are given the opportunity to take the test on order to receive the "Diplôme du Française des Affaires," awarded by the Paris Chamber of Commerce.

In cooperation with Professor Holly Tucker, I am designing a new course, French for the Medical Field.  We are working hard to make this course available for Spring 2008!



Other Responsibilities

Professor in Residence at Vanderbilt-in-France, Fall 2005

Vanderbilt Visions, VUCeptor, Fall 2006-2008

Pre-major advisor, Fall 2006-Spring 2008