Lecturer in French

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

The French and Francophone Studies program in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (LLC) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a position at the rank of Lecturer. This is a full-time (9 month) non-tenure track position to begin September 1, 2023 for an initial appointment of two (2) years with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The responsibilities of this position include the following:

• Supervise the lower-division French language program, including online summer French language courses: Oversee the curriculum and teaching of all first- and second-year language courses, supervise and expand online summer course offerings, coordinate all first-year courses (prepare materials and hold regular organizational meetings, train and supervise TAs, conduct observations)

• Coordinate the French teacher education (MAT) program: Supervise, train, and advise all French teacher education candidates; teach pre-practicum/practicum seminars and supervise student teaching practica; teach courses in foreign-language teaching methodology.

• Develop new initiatives in professionally focused French, including online and in-person courses, certificates, and major tracks: To complement existing initiatives in the areas of French for business, international relations, and the sciences, we seek in particular candidates with expertise in teaching French for the health professions and for the hospitality professions, among other possibilities.

• Teach French language and culture courses at all levels in the candidate’s areas of expertise. We seek in particular candidates who can design and teach compelling courses (in English) on French cultural topics for the UMass General Education program.

 

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in French or French Linguistics

• Native or near-native fluency in French and English

• Expertise in second-language acquisition theory and practice as well as in foreign-language pedagogy

• Demonstrated excellence in designing and teaching French language courses

• Evidence of creative curricular design and pedagogical practices that address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an eye toward breaking historical patterns of inequity

• Command of instructional technology as applied to language instruction, including experience in effective online teaching and course design

• Experience in teacher training and supervision

• Thorough understanding of current French and Francophone cultural issues

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in designing and teaching French language courses at both the university and secondary level

• Experience in training and supervising both graduate TAs and teacher education candidates

• Possession of a valid secondary-level French teaching license and completion of a French teacher-education program

• Experience in designing and teaching professionally focused French courses, with a preference for courses on the health and hospitality professions

 

Application Instructions

To apply, candidates should submit the following online via PageUp:

• A cover letter addressing the candidate’s specific qualifications and experience for this position

• A curriculum vitae

• A statement addressing the candidate’s experience, interests, and philosophy with respect to teaching, course design, and teacher training

• Contact information for three references willing to provide letters of reference. These references will be solicited for letters upon submission of an application.

Note that the French and Francophone Studies program is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and candidates' materials should address how they will promote these priorities in their professional career.

Questions about the position may be directed to Philippe Baillargeon, Chair of the Search Committee, at baillargeon@llc.umass.edu.

Applicants must apply by the priority deadline of December 8, 2022 to ensure full consideration.

The university is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages seven applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.


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