Meet Professor Vivian Leskes

Degree and from where it was received: M.Ed. in Bilingual Education from UMass Courses you teach: All levels of ESL: Reading and Writing, Speaking and Listening, Grammar, Pronunciation Accomplishments (personal or professional): I speak Spanish, have intermediate fluency in French, and have spent the last several years studying Russian. I am now advising in English, Spanish, and Russian! I have worked in Mexico, France, and Ukraine. My garden produces great vegetables, and I can do four jumps and several spins in figure skating. Favorite thing about teaching: I love working with students from many cultures. By teaching ESL, I feel that I am helping students to gain skills and insights that will be genuinely helpful for them. I also like to think about the nature of language. I even like grammar! Memorable moment at HCC: I've had two Presidents of HCC visit my classes to see what happens in the ESL classroom. They had the opportunity to see that ESL students accomplish heroic tasks in an environment that feels like the United Nations in Holyoke. Teaching philosophy: I am a student of languages myself, so I know how difficult it is to express myself in another language. Language is power. Learning English is a way to become empowered. Students should never be afraid to make mistakes. We all need to open our heads and let the language enter! Meet the Faculty   |   Holyoke Community College 303 Homestead Ave. Holyoke, MA (413) 538-7000