Jose Guzman, Ph.D.Associate Professor of Spanish
Office: Winslow Putnam Center
Degrees: Ph.D. Latin American Literature, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain; M.A. Spanish Languages and Culture, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain; B.A. Philosophy, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
Joselo Guzmán was born in Ecuador where he spent the majority of his life. In 2001, he moved to the United States where he started teaching high school Spanish. After his second year as a Spanish teacher, he got a scholarship from the government of Spain to study Spanish Languages and Culture at the University of Salamanca, Spain. Following the completion of his masters, he continued on to get a Ph.D. in the Department of Spanish and Latin American Literature at the same university. Professor Guzman has published various articles and edited a book on contemporary Ecuadorian poetry. Moreover, he has taught all levels of Spanish language and literature at various universities in the Greater Boston area.
What is your teaching philosophy for Lasell courses?
"As a foreign language instructor who has worked to portray my language as a living breathing one, my first goal is to create a communicative environment in class so that my students feel comfortable speaking Spanish even when they have difficulties pronouncing a word. I strongly believe that every student is capable of progressing in their knowledge of Spanish language and culture, and of speaking with some level of fluency. As a result, I emphasize team and small group work; students are the team that works together to help each other learn and practice, and my role is to act as their coach. Being a Spanish professor is not just teaching a foreign tongue; it is also sharing yourself and your outlook on the world, while encouraging students to do the same."