Heather NylenInstructor, Spanish

Heather Nylen

1st year and 2nd year Spanish, grammar and writing
Office: Moore Hall 469 | Phone: (808) 956-6191
Email: nylen@hawaii.edu

¡Hola! I was born and raised on Oahu.  I started learning the language in high school where I immediately fell in love with all things relating to Spain and Latin America.   I continued my studies in Valencia, Spain before returning to Hawaii where I graduated with a B.A in Spanish and Political Science and an M.A. in European Languages and Literature: Spanish. After earning a Cambridge University CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) qualification, I spent 2 years teaching English in Costa Rica. I have been teaching Spanish here in Manoa since 1996, 23 years of which I was first year language coordinator.  Recently (2004), I completed a Masters in Spanish as a Foreign/Second Language in Educational from the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. I primarily teach 1st and 2nd year Spanish, Spanish 300 (Legends, Stories and Current Events) and Spanish 301 (Language and Writing) 

I truly enjoy teaching Spanish and am actively involved in cultural, professional and academic activities that enhance my teaching skills.  I strive to create a learning environment that encourages engagement and meaningful interactions amongst all students, primarily through communicative activities and project based learning.  I am the recipient of the HALT Excellence in Teaching Award.  I also enjoy taking study abroad groups to Costa Rica. I am a member of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, the National Education Association and Hawaii Association of Language Teachers.