Laura Adele Soracco

CONTACT

laurasoracco@gmail.com
http://lauraadelesoracco.weebly.com

WORK EXPERIENCE
Highline College

September 2015 Present

Instructor of Composition
Design English Composition curriculum in line with outcomes set by the English department.
Develop writing course using Open Educational Resources (OERs) in order to make course more
affordable to students and to keep content updated.
Conduct formative assessment on a regular basis to inform instructional plans.
Incorporate critical thinking and self-evaluation strategies in writing instruction.

Seattle Central College

September 2015 March 2016

ESL Instructor
Created materials for advanced reading instruction, focusing on academic vocabulary and higher-level
reading skills.
Guided learners through process-based writing activities to be conducted in the classroom and
independently.
Collaborated with other instructors in developing assessment plans for various skills.
Fostered critical thinking and autonomous learning in daily lessons and course assignments.

Green River College

September 2014 August 2015

Intensive Academic ESL Adjunct Faculty

Taught academic preparation and English grammar, reading and writing, listening and speaking.
Created daily lesson plans, organized monthly and quarterly goals in line with curriculum, and generated
grade reports to share with students and the administration.
Engaged in cooperative teaching practices in designing various assessments and share learning
activities.

Bilkent University

August 2013 August 2014

Instructor of Composition
Delivered lessons focusing on reading skills, academic vocabulary, and discourse analysis.
Encouraged critical thinking through the use of academic texts and class discussions.
Provided feedback and tutorials for students writing process-based argumentative essays.
Developed curriculum (content, materials, and assessment) for future English 101 courses.

Green River College

September 2011 June 2013

Intensive Academic ESL Adjunct Faculty

Designed curriculum for an Academic Preparation course in an EFL setting in China.
Taught advanced writing, grammar, reading, and listening and speaking courses.
Incorporated the use of digital technologies to increase student engagement and participation
Collaborated with colleagues in the development of assessments and course materials.

Laura Ad e le So rac c o

Universidad Icesi

January 2009 October 2010

Interim Director of the Foreign Language Department

In charge of heading a department composed of 26 teachers for 6 different languages, 1 full time
Language Lab coordinator, 1 secretary and 2,4 00 + students.
Evaluated textbooks and course syllabi to maintain the academic content updated.
Developed extracurricular foreign language courses in business English, conversational courses and
general English. Organized and planed all incoming student placement exams.
Met with students and teachers and assist them with academic concerns or offer referrals as needed.
Coordinated professional development sessions for teachers with outside guests.
Planned yearly budget and maintained the departments administrative and academic goals in line with
those of the university. Reported to the Dean and Academic Directors on a regular basis.

Universidad Icesi

July 2007 December 2008

EFL Teacher
Taught English as a Foreign Language to undergraduate students of different careers applying the
philosophy and methodologies of active learning in the classroom.
Coordinated the English Language Lab in which over 1,500 attended every week to use the computers
as an aid to their learning objectives.

Read Right

April 2005 December 2006

Reading Consultant/Teacher Trainer

Assessed and taught both children and adults in small groups using the Read Right methodology to
maximize their reading effectiveness and efficiency and resolve any difficulty with reading in English.
Provided extensive on-site training in schools across the United States. This included troubleshooting,
professional development and quality assurance for clients in the educational sector who purchased
the remedial reading program offered by Read Right.
In charge of conducting professional development for teachers including goal setting and achievement
evaluation through the interactive constructivist model. Organized and conducted regular meetings
training small groups and individuals in the Read Right program.
Met biweekly with school and district administrators to discuss teachers progress in their training as
well as answer any data questions regarding students progress.

EDUCATION
Doctor of Education in TESOL

January 2016 Expected 2021

Anaheim University

Master of Arts in TESOL

July 2010 May 2012

New School University

Obtained the MA degree with GPA 3.9

Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies

September 2002 March 2005

The Evergreen State College

During the last two quarters, I conducted independent research in Marseille, France, about issues related to
women and immigrant rights.

Associate of Arts with Emphasis in French

September 1999 June 2002

Highline College

Laura Ad e le So rac c o

PRESENTATIONS AND PAPERS

Webinar: "Linguistic Ownership: Empowering Teachers and Learners", TEFL Equity Advocates, May 2016
Electronic Village Workshop: "Twitter for Anyone: Resources and Professional Development
Opportunities", TESOL Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, April 2016.
Roundtable discussion: "Digital Literacy Matters in ELT", TESOL Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, April
2016.
Discussion session: "Digital Literacies and Integrated Skills in ELT", ORTESOL 1-Day Conference at
Portland Community College, November 2015
Discussion session: "Digital Literacies in ELT", TriTESOL Conference at Highline College, Des Moines,
Washington, October 2015
Technology Fair: "Assessing Listening and Speaking Online" TESOL Convention in Toronto, Canada, April
2015.
Demonstration: "Rethinking Writing Feedback Using Digital Technologies", Spokane Regional ESL
Conference at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, February 2015.
Paper Presentation: "Enhancing Writing Feedback Through Digital Technologies", WAESOL Conference
at Highline College, Desmoines, Washington, October 2014 .
Webinar: "The Power of Being Connected: Rethinking Uses of the Internet in ELT", New School Webinar
Series, July 2014
Demonstration: "Exploring Ways of Using Flashcards to Learn Vocabulary", EAP Conference at Potsdam
University, May 2014
Poster Presentation: "Exploring Ways of Using Flashcards to Learn Vocabulary", TESOL Convention,
Portland, Oregon, March 2014

CONTINUING EDUCATION
2015 -- How to Use Open Educational Resources (Washington State Board for Community and Technical
Colleges)
2015 -- The Path to Academic English (iTDi - Stephen Krashen)
2015 -- Principles and Practices of Online Teaching Certificate (TESOL Int'l Association)
2014 -- Accuracy and Fluency (iDTi - Ur and Thornbury)
2014 -- Contrasting Conversations (iDTi - Fanselow)
2014 -- BlendKit2014 (University of Central Florida)

LANGUAGES
Spanish: bilingual proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Italian: bilingual proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
French: fluent oral skills, advanced reading and listening, and intermediate writing skills.
Turkish: beginner level.

QUALIFICATIONS
CRLA (College Reading and Learning Association) certified tutor.
Certified Spanish Medical Interpreter in the State of Washington.
Computer skills include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook,
Intermediate user: Wikispaces, Weebly, Wordpress.com, Moodle and Canvas.

Laura Ad e le So rac c o

VOLUNTEER WORK
2016 -- Team Leader for Poster Sessions at TESOL Convention in Seattle 2017
2015-- Member-at-large WAESOL Board: Communications and Social Media Committee
2015 -- Program volunteer and family mentor: International Refugee Committee (IRC), Seattle.
2008-- Teacher trainer in public low income schools: Luz Aidee Guerrero, Colombia.
2001 -- Translator and volunteer organizer: LELO (A Legacy of Equality, Leadership, and Organizing)

MEMBERSHIPS
Washington Association for the Education of Speakers of Other Languages (WAESOL)
The Association of B.C. Teachers of English as an Additional Language (BCTEAL)
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL)

REFERENCES
Available Upon Request

Laura Ad e le So rac c o