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I am widely regarded as an engaging, informative, and often amusing public speaker, teacher and writer. I am prepared - or can be on short notice - to present a wide variety of topics for single appearances, and a broad selection of short courses: language & culture, teacher education, technology, popular culture, science fiction. For details about the range of my topics, see my list of projects, publications, grants, and public & scholarly presentations. Here are a few recent examples: a short course in basic conversational German and practical musical terms for young opera students; combining language learning and business in a course where students create a student-run startup company; Alexander von Humboldt and the Origins of Sustainable Environmentalism; All about German: A Speed-Dating Approach; 'You Have Huevos, Don't You': What Popular Movies Show Us about Our Students' Preconceptions about Language Learning; a quarter-century of developing language-learning software; How Do Language Textbooks Happen? A special interest is music in its larger cultural setting. I sing in opera choruses and other classical groups, can tell stories about elephants gone awry in Aïda, and am writing a book about life on- and back-stage in opera - and how that relates to the real world and its own violence, passion, and spectacles. Neither in presentations nor in classes do I lecture, in the traditional sense of reading from notes or doing the "talking head". But I do keep plenty of facts at the ready, and also media. I like to engage in exchanges with the audience, both during presentations and in Q&A afterward. My presentations are usually conducted from a customized website, which is available afterward indefinitely. I can present in either English or German, and can understand questions and comments in French and Spanish at the intermediate level. Email me to inquire about my schedule, topics, and terms. In the metro Portland, OR, area I can be very flexible, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, and even weekends, especially during the summer. While it's nice to get an honorarium, I often donate my time. Like everyone else, I expect to have my expenses covered if I have to travel beyond an hour's drive or so. My rate for short courses (weekend workshops, one- or two-week specialized language courses) is modest ($100-$250/day & travel/lodging/food). I have been known to forego the honorarium when the venue is pleasant, particularly in winter. If the accommodation has a kitchenette, I will reduce or forego the food allowance. For distances up to a day's drive I will consider helping you save money by driving or taking AmTrak. Best time in summer: mid-June to early July, late August to mid-September. I can get away for up to a week during the academic year, and may be available during spring vacation. See Portland State University calendar. |