Gwen Klassen, MA

Instructor

Gwen has lived in the Middle East for more than thirty years and considers it an honour to live among the people of the Middle East and to study their language and culture. For more than fifteen years, she taught EFL, EAP and ESP for the United Arab Emirates University, the Higher Colleges of Technology (CERT) and Nord Anglia to name a few. During an extended stay in Canada, she began serving as an instructor and academic coach in the TWU MA TESOL program. Her other hobbies and interests include hospitality and meaningful conversation, travel, water sports, and strategic board games.

  • ICF Certificate in Professional Coaching (2023 - in progress)
  • TESL Ontario Methodology Certification (2021)
  • TESL Ontario Theory Certification (2019)
  • TESL Canada, Standard Three Certification (2019)
  • MA TESOL (Trinity Western University; 2013)
  • Cambridge CELTA certification (1991)
  • Bachelor of Science (Philadelphia Biblical University; 1988)

Expertise

English, Arabic.

Gwen’s current research and professional interest is development in Redemptive Coaching, i.e., a series of conversations between intentional partners that helps the coachee achieve their goals and become truer versions of the people God created them to be through greater awareness and action. Previously, she was trained and employed as a coach for incoming MA TESOL students, facilitating non-directive, strengths-based coaching to assist students in identifying priorities and developing strategies for managing program requirements and achieving self-identified academic and professional goals. More recently she has been pursuing training in professional coaching in cross-cultural settings and desires to support teachers-in-training, teachers and language learners maximize their personal and professional potential.

Recent Publications

  • LING 512 Second Language Acquisition
  • LING 514 Materials Evaluation and Design
  • LING 518 Curriculum and Program Design
  • LING 613 Integrating the Four Skills