lauranicolas84@yahoo.fr

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Department of French Language, Sorbonne University, France, anticipated 2014

M.A. Department of French Language, Grenoble University, France, September 2010

M.A. Department of International Migrations, Poitiers University, France, May 2009

B.A. Department of English and Spanish, Angers University, France, May 2007

DISSERTATION

“Teacher and learners as complementary mediators. Analysis of interactions in a French language class for adults.”

Dissertation Advisor: Professor Francine Cicurel, Sorbonne University

This dissertation considers the second language learner as a “potential mediator” in the French classroom for foreign students: we stand that his ability to co-pilot the pedagogical interaction by supporting the teacher in the process of transmission of the language may be considered as an efficient scaffolding process, not only toward his peers but also toward the teacher. The main objective of this research is to analyse whether teacher and learners’ mediation would lead to a complementary process of transmission or to a conflict of interest in the classroom. Research has been carried out in two French classes for foreign students and migrants, and the video and audio data is now been analysed; the first results already show how the teacher must face a double bind: either let the learners speak, which may lead to a divergence of his primary plan of the class, or take control of the interaction to follow the lesson plan, which may prevent the learners from improving their speaking skills.

PUBLICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

NICOLAS, Laura (2012) L’apprenant-médiateur : enjeux et perspectives des traductions spontanées en classe de français langue étrangère, Etudes de Linguistique Appliquée, n°167, pp. 169-180.

“Mediation as a complementary process in the French language classroom”. Presentation at the

French Department, Sorbonne University, Paris, December 2011

“The explicitation and autoconfrontation interview as methodological tools in Research in Linguistics”. Presentation at Rencontres Jeunes Chercheurs, Sorbonne University, June 2011

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Department of French for Foreign Student, Sorbonne University

Teacher, French for foreign students. 2010-2012

Salameno School of American and International Studies, Ramapo College of New Jersey

Fulbright Teaching Assistant. French 101. 2009-2010

Landscapes Unlimited, Lincoln, NE

Teacher. English for Mexican migrants. 2008

English teacher for 12^th grade students. One on one tutoring. Angers, France. 2006-2007

French teacher for foreign students. One on one tutoring. London. 2005-2006

NDSC Secondary School, Parthenay, France.

Teacher of English, Geography and History. 2001-2004

LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES

TOEFLTest of English for Foreign Learners, Score: 103/120 2009

TOEICTest of English International Communication, Score: 975/1000 2007

CAECambridge Advanced Exam 2005

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Exchange program for Sorbonne University Ph.D. Students Feb-April 2012

Department of French, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, NY

Advisor:Henriette Goldwyn, Clinical Associate Professor, NYU in Paris.

“The processes of mediation in a French class for foreign students”.

Ph.D in Applied Linguistics, Sorbonne University, Paris, FranceSept.-Dec. 2011

Department of French, Sorbonne University, Paris, France

Advisor: Professor Francine Cicurel

“The processes of mediation in a French class for foreign students”.

Ph.D in Applied Linguistics, Sorbonne University, Paris, France Feb.-May 2011

GRETA Institute. Orléans. France

Advisor: Professor Francine Cicurel

“The processes of mediation in a French class for migrants”.

M.A. in International MigrationsFeb.-April 2009

Department of Geography, Poitiers University, Poitiers, France

Landscapes Unlimited, Roanoke, VA

Advisor : Professor Cedric Audebert

“The Mexican migrant as a mediator between his peers and the host society”.

B.A. in English and Spanish Languages Jan.-June 2008

Department of English and Spanish, Angers University, France

Centro Universitario de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico

Advisor: Professor Raoul Caplan

“The construction of the Panamericana Villa as a socio-political issue”.

RELATED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Active member of the research laboratory Interaction Didactique et Agir Professoral (IDAP) Department of French, Sorbonne University, Paris, France, 2010-present

• Active member of Bureau des Doctorants. Sorbonne University, Paris, France. 2010-present

• Translator and Interpreter for the United Nations NGO/DPI Committee. NYC, USA. 2010

• Active member of promotion for French language and culture in the following organizations:

• • Fulbright Program, New-York, NY 2009-present

  • One to World, New York, NY 2009-present

  • Bergen French Club, Bergen, NJ 2009-2010

• Student Representative, Poitiers University 2008-2009

• President of the Center for Student Activities, AFPA Institute 2005-2006

INTERESTS

Languages: French (native), English and Spanish (fluent)

Extended travels: USA (1 year), England (1 year), Mexico (1 year), Uzbekistan (1 month)

Other interests: Reading (International Affairs), filmography, music (guitar and piano)

REFERENCES

References available upon request