Assistant Professor of Spanish

Antonio F. Jiménez Jiménez was born and raised in Málaga (Spain) where he completed his B.A. in Translation and Interpreting in English, German, and Italian. After having lived a year in Germany, he moved to the U.S. to teach Spanish at Dickinson College (PA), then, he transferred to Penn State University, where he received a Ph. D. in Spanish Applied Linguistics. His major interest lies in the study of second language attrition, or the decline of language proficiency, in learners of Spanish after a study abroad experience. In addition, during the last three years, he has been investigating the effects that technology-mediated language use (e.g., email, chat, e-forum, videoconference, etc.) has on second language learning processes and what the optimal practices and models are for the incorporation of such methodologies into the foreign language curriculum.He has taught several Spanish language courses at various levels, in different linguistic and cultural contexts (in the United States, Mexico, Germany, and Spain), and with a wide array of students from more than thirtydifferent national backgrounds. In his teaching, he tries to develop a learning environment where students feel comfortable sharing their experiences and opinions. His main objective is to construct a new community of practice where students can collaboratively work and use the target language as a means to achieve their personal goals. In addition to his classroom teaching experience, he has worked in three different study abroadprograms in Puebla (Mexico), Málaga, and Salamanca (Spain).