Meet Prof. Marlon Valencia (ESL)
Photo: Marlon Valencia
Marlon Valencia is a Professor of English as a Second Language in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. He received Master’s degrees in Foreign Languages and Cultures from Washington State University and Applied Linguistics from York University. He earned his Ph.D. in Language and Literacies Education, as well as Comparative, International and Development Education at the University of Toronto.
His doctoral dissertation studied how future teachers of English and French construct their personal and collective imaginaries drawing on (or rejecting) large narratives that they share in the globalized and inter-connected world we live in.
Marlon’s research interests include: critical applied linguistics, intersectionality, language politics, language learners’ and teachers’ identities, narrative inquiry, and multiliteracies. He has presented his research at multiple international venues and constantly collaborates to conduct and disseminate his research with local and international colleagues.
Marlon previously taught at Ryerson University and is excited to join the creative and vibrant Sheridan community. He is passionate about photography and spending time with his wife and two children.
Marlon Valencia answers Alchemy’s Proust Questionnaire:
Most important lesson I’ve learned this year: You make ‘the job.’
My favourite qualities in a student: Curiosity and imagination.
My favourite qualities in a teacher: Resilience to reinvent themselves.
My idea of perfect happiness: Shooting my Nikons.
My idea of complete misery: Not shooting my Nikons.
In my opinion the secret to success is: Persistence and resilience.
My favourite word: Imagine.
The word/phrase I overuse in the classroom: “Alright!”
If I weren’t a teacher I’d be: A travel photographer.
My favourite food and drink: Steak (medium rare) and craft beer.
The most embarrassing song in my iTunes or music collection: “Sex and Candy” by Marcy Playground.
