Please email us at modern.languages @langara.ca for general departmental inquiries.
For inquiries related to a specific language, please e-mail chinese @langara.ca, 
french @langara.ca, japanese @langara.ca or spanish @langara.ca.  

Contact the Department Chair, Mirabelle Tinio, at mtinio @langara.ca, and the Assistant Chair, Wei Xia, at wxia @langara.ca.

Our fax number is 604.323.5001.

Stacey Collins

Phone: 604.323.5903
Office: A345b
Email: scollins@langara.ca

Courses: SPAN 1115, 1215, 1205

At Langara Since: 2002

Credentials & Training:

Academic & Professional Activities:

Instructional Web

Han Fei

Phone: 604.323.5511 ext. 2028
Office: A346a
Email: hfei@langara.ca

Courses: FREN 1115, 1215, 1119

At Langara Since: 2017

Credentials & Training:

  • Ph.D. candidate in French Literature (UBC)
  • M.A. in French Literature (UBC)
  • B.A. in French (Wuhan University, China)
  • One-year Exchange Program at Paris VII Diderot, France

Areas of Academic or Research Interest:

  • Second language acquisition
  • Translation studies
  • Quebec migrant literature
  • Mobility studies
  • XIX century French literature
  • Baudelaire

Style of Teaching: Adapting to each specific group, my teaching aims to build a solid foundation of the language, with a focus on pronunciation and basic grammar.

Other Interests: Foreign movies, including French and Japanese

Instructional Web

Dolores Gambroudes

Phone: 604.323.5912
Office: A241c
Email: dgambroudes@langara.ca

Courses: SPAN 1115, 1215, 2119, 2219, and LAMS 1101 (literature component)

At Langara Since: 2009

Credentials & Training:

  • Diploma Superior in Latin American Studies with focus on the Andean region (Universidad Andina Simón Bolivar, Quito, Ecuador)
  • MA in Hispanic Studies and Literature: Iberian and Latin American literature and Sociolinguistics (UBC)
  • BA in Speech and Linguistic Sciences (UBC)
  • BA in Hispanic Studies (UBC)
  • Certificado en Lingüística y Literatura (Pontifiicia Universidad Católica, Quito, Ecuador)

Academic & Professional Activities:

  • Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA, 2007)
  • Member, Society of Translators and Interpreters of BC (STIBC, 2008 - present)
  • Member, Pachamama Alliance (2005)
  • Member, Educational Technology Users Group (ETUG, 2010)

Instructional Web

Choji Hayashi

Phone: 604.323.5904
Office: A345a
Email: chayashi@langara.ca

Courses: JAPN 1115, 1117, 1215, 1217

At Langara Since: 1996

Credentials & Training:

  • MA in TESL and Applied Linguistics (UBC)
  • BA in Sociology (Kansai University, Japan)

Style of Teaching: Serious learning with fun and hard work.

Areas of Academic or Research Interest: My academic specialty is analyzing the process of second language acquisition, in particular, social and political pressures on second language acquisition and the correlation between motivation factors and successful language learning. My current academic interest is to explore the difference in learning patterns of the Japanese language when the instructional language is Japanese, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Academic & Professional Activities:

  • Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA, 1996 - present)
  • Organizer & Judge, All BC Japanese Speech Contest; Consulate General of Japan (1996 - present)
  • Candidate Selection Staff, Japan Exchange Teacher (JET) Program, Consulate General of Japan (2001)
  • Facilitator, Langara-Ryukoku University Exchange Program (2012 - present)
  • Keynote Speaker, Cuarto Congreso Internacional de Educación Superior: Autonomy, University of Chiapas, Mexico (November 2014)
  • Co-teacher (Japanese), Centro Universitario de Idiomas (CUI), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (January - February 2014; January - February 2009)
  • Teacher (Japanese), Escuela para Estudiantes Extranjeros (EEE), University of Veracruz, Mexico (June - July 2006)
  • Professional Japanese-English and English-Japanese translator/interpreter

Other Interests: I enjoy travelling, painting, hiking, cycling, reading, cooking, martial arts, playing the piano and guitar, learning languages, and exploring different cultures. In my volunteer work, I assist new immigrants in Vancouver. 

Instructional Web

 

Andrew Iverson

Phone: 604.323.5282
Office: A346a
Email: aiverson@langara.ca

Courses: FREN 1115, 1217

At Langara Since: 2019

Credentials & Training:

Academic & Professional Activities:

Instructional Web

Sean James

Phone: 604.323.5449
Office: A344
Email: sjames@langara.ca

At Langara Since: 2003

Credentials & Training:

  • BA in History (UBC)
  • French (University of Alberta)
  • Spanish 1-4 (Langara Continuing Studies)
  • Mandarin (Langara, UBC, Yunnan Normal University, Beijing Language and Culture University, Nanjing Normal University)
  • Confucius Institute Mandarin speech contest, third place (2015)
  • Canada-China Scholar's Exchange Award Recipient (2016)
  • Confucius Institute Teaching Chinese as a Second Language Scholarship Recipient (2017)

Areas of Academic or Research Interest: My ongoing research interest is in language education technology and methods to enhance language education and study. Among my current projects are: developing and improving facilities for language study and practice (i.e., digital language labs and study space); expanding student learning opportunities by developing online, mobile-accessible language learning resources; and expanding the use of course management systems to supplement in-class instruction.

Instructional Web

Frederic Jombart

Phone: 604.323.5379
Office: A346a
Email: fjombart@langara.ca

Courses: FREN 1115, 1215, 1117

At Langara Since: 2012

Credentials & Training:

Academic & Professional Activities:

Instructional Web

Farah Leplat

Phone: 604.323.5468
Office: A241d
Email: fleplat@langara.ca

Courses: FREN 1115, 1215, 1119, 1219

At Langara Since: 2012

Credentials & Training:

  • MA in French language (UBC)
  • BA in French and Spanish (Langara/UBC)

Style of Teaching: I constantly encourage students to participate and showcase their knowledge of French.

Areas of Academic or Research Interest: My academic specialties and interests include Francophone literature, post-colonial literature, and magical realism. 

Academic & Professional Activities (Teaching Workshops Attended):

  • Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA, Langara, 2013)
  • Interdisciplinary Community of Practice (UBC, 2012)
  • Effective Presentation and Media Skills (UBC, 2011)
  • Adult Learning Theories (UBC, 2011)
  • Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom (UBC, 2011)
  • Classroom Assessment Techniques (UBC, 2011)
  • Leading Intriguing Discussions (UBC, 2011)
  • Participatory Learning Techniques (UBC, 2011)

Published Works (Conference Proceedings):

  • “L'écriture engagée et ses méthodes dans Branle-bas en noir et blanc de Mongo Beti et Quand on refuse on dit non d'Ahmadou Kourouma”, SARI/CICC (University of Cergy-Pontoise, France)
  • “La subversion chez Michel Tournier dans Sept contes” (Tangence Presse)
  • Universitaire (University of Trois-Rivières, Québec)

Other Interests: I volunteer in the French literacy program at a French immersion school.

Instructional Web

Tianming Li

Phone: 604.323.5511 ext. 2126
Office: A341a
Email: tli@langara.ca

Courses: CHIN 1115, 3381, 3383

At Langara Since: 2003

Credentials & Training:

  • PhD in Modern Chinese Literature (UBC)

Areas of Academic or Research Interest: My academic specialties include modern Chinese literature, modern Chinese language, and classical Chinese language.

Academic & Professional Activities:

  • Member, Canadian Teaching Chinese as a Second Language Association

Instructional Web

Huimin Lin

Phone: 604.323.5261
Office: A345c
Email: hlin@langara.ca

Courses: CHIN 1115, 1215, 1117, 1217

At Langara Since: 1998

Credentials & Training:

  • BA in English Language and Literature, Shandong University, Shandong, China
  • Spanish Language Certificate, Official Language School, Madrid, Spain

  • Certificate of Cervantes Spanish Language, Madrid, Spain

  • Master of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Style of Teaching: I strongly believe in involving students in the learning process, and making the learning fun and interesting by incorporating games, stories, and empowering students with socio-cultural knowledge of the Chinese language.

Areas of Academic or Research Interest: My area of interest and specialization is teaching Mandarin Chinese to beginners as a foreign/second language, in particular, the origin, philosophy and cultural knowledge of Chinese characters, radicals of Chinese characters, the social and cultural dimensions of Chinese grammar and other aspects of the language and using games and technology in the learning process.

Academic & Professional Activities:

  • Member, Teaching Chinese as a Second Language Association
  • Judge, Confucius Institute Chinese Bridge Mandarin Speech and Singing Contests
  • Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA)

Other Interests: I love animals and volunteer in the Vancouver Rabbit Rescue shelter and have a bunny rabbit. I enjoy hiking and practicing Yoga. In my free time, I help new immigrants with their new life in Canada. I have traveled extensively and lived 2.5 years in Germany and 6 years in Spain. These experiences were not only eye and mind-opening but also convinced me to dedicate myself to intercultural communication. 

Instructional Web

Shiho Minami

Phone: 604.323.5511 ext. 2509
Office:
Email: sminami@langara.ca

Courses: JAPN 1115

At Langara Since: 2015

Credentials & Training:

  • BA in Japanese Linguistics and Education (Osaka University of Foreign Studies)
  • MA in Modern Language Education (University of British Columbia) 

Areas of Academic or Research Interest: second language pedagogy, second language and heritage language acquisition, identities in second language learning and teaching, technology in second language education.

Academic & Professional Activities:

  • Member, Canadian Association for Japanese Language Education (CAJLE)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA)

Instructional Web

Yayoi Shinbo

Phone: 604.323.5906
Office: A346a
Email: yshinbo@langara.ca

Courses: JAPN 1115, 1215, 1117, 1217

At Langara Since: 2012

Credentials & Training:

  • MA in Modern Language Education and Applied Linguistics (UBC)
  • BA in Linguistics (UBC)
  • Associate of Arts in English (Obirin Junior College, Tokyo, Japan)

Style of Teaching: Understanding structures and remembering vocabulary are important. It takes a lot of meticulous work to learn a foreign language. When you work hard, you will find it fun to be able to express yourself. I employ different methods and will engage you in listening, speaking, reading, and writing often in class. I do exercises using a lot of visuals. You will learn language to communicate!

Areas of Academic or Research Interest: My academic specialties include bilingual programs and heritage language education.

Academic & Professional Activities:

  • Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA)
  • Examiner, International Baccalaureate (2011 - present)
  • Member, Training Program for Teachers of the Japanese Language, The Japan Foundation, Urawa (1999)

Other Interests: I enjoy hiking, Japanese flower arrangement, gardening, cooking, and reading.

Instructional Web

Mirabelle Tinio Department Chair

Phone: 604.323.5187
Office: C224b
Email: mtinio@langara.ca

Program Area: French

Courses: FREN 1115, 1117, 1217, 1205 

At Langara Since: 2003

Credentials & Training:

  • Maîtrise de littérature française de la Sorbonne Nouvelle with a focus on 17th century literature (Paris III)
  • Masters in French literature with a focus on contemporary literature and the theme "l'identité et l'aliénation" (UBC)

Style of Teaching: My objective is to create an in-class setting that is conducive to meaningful learning by spending time each day on action-oriented tasks. Students have the opportunity to practice speaking the language during each class, but also take time to focus on writing skills. I am inspired by the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) as a guide to focus students' learning on communicative skills and purposeful interaction.

Academic & Professional Activities:

Other Interests: I enjoy running, travelling, music (singing, guitar playing), dance, sociology, and spending time in nature.

Instructional Web

Laura Vass

Phone: 604.323.5902
Office: A241f
Email: lvass@langara.ca

Courses: SPAN 1115, 1215

At Langara Since: 2010

Credentials & Training:

  • BA, Major in Spanish and Minor in Italian (University of Victoria)
  • MA in Hispanic Studies (UBC)

Academic & Professional Activities:

  • Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA, since 2009)
  • Member, Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CALACS, since 2007)

Instructional Web

Wei Xia Assistant Department Chair

Phone: 604.323.5002
Office: A345d
Email: wxia@langara.ca

Courses: CHIN 3331, 3333

At Langara Since: 2004

Credentials & Training:
  • B.A. in Teaching Chinese as A Second Language, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
  • Master of Arts, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Areas of Academic or Research Interest:

  • I have taught various Chinese language/literature courses at different levels. My main area of specialty during the past two decades has been to create a semi-immersion in-class and online environment to help non-heritage beginners develop integrated Chinese language skills, especially at an intensive pace.
  • I have also devoted myself to teaching Classical Chinese since 2012. I have developed a pedagogy to enable students to read and analyze Classical texts through their social and historical contexts. One of my main objectives is to allow heritage learners to re-examine and strengthen their connections to their Chinese cultural heritage through extensive research and critical thinking.

Academic & Professional Activities:

  • Member, Canadian Teaching Chinese as a Second Language Association
  • Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation
  • Judge, Confucius Institute Chinese Bridge Mandarin Speech and Singing Contests for University/College Students

Style of Teaching: Students are always the center of my teaching. To engage the learners as much as possible, to attend to their interests and needs at each stage, to enhance their learning experience with new technology and updated methods is the teaching style which I pursue. As always, I learn how to be a better teacher through teaching.

Other Interests: I love to make apple pies in my kitchen in the cold and damp winter days, and love to spend time in my garden during summer. I also enjoy traveling and visiting my artist friends in different cities. From time to time, I curate art exhibitions featuring some of my favourite works.

Instructional Web