Daniel Zitnick
Associate Teaching Professor in Middle Eastern Studies
Teacher of Arabic language; aligns Arabic teaching pedagogy with current research in second language acquisition.
I currently teach elementary Arabic at Wellesley. I have some experience teaching in summer programs and at the intermediate/advanced level as well.
I recently received an MA in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language from the University of Michigan. My academic focus was aligning Arabic teaching pedagogy with current research in second language acquisition. From within this framework, I strive to create a learning environment that is fun and engaging for students, but also takes into consideration how they actually learn a new language. I am always looking for ways to bring authentic cultural activities into the classroom. while allowing students to be themselves and express what they want to express in this beautiful language.
I also received an MA in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan. My research examined women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. For my thesis, I researched the role of Islamic legal scholarship in the domestic debate over gender segregation in Saudi Arabia.
Outside of the classroom and lesson planning, I enjoy time with family and I am an avid Michigan and Kansas City sports fan.
Education
- B.A., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- M.A., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor