Prof. Hector Palacios

                

1. How long have you been working in this University?

"I have been working in UPEL for almost 13 years, since 1998. I was a contracted professor from 1998 to 2000 and became a member of the Linguistics Department staff in 2000.


2. What subjects have you taught, which one has been your favorite and why?

"I have taught several courses, such as English I, English II, English III, English IV, Reading and Writing (the fourth semester course), Phonetics and Phonology I, Phonetics and Phonology II, Grammar Topics, Actividad de Extensión Acreditable and Fase de I.D.A."

"It is very difficult to say that one of these courses is my favorite because I have learned to like whatever courses I have taught. I have mostly taught Phonetics and Phonology I and II throughout these years and they are two of my favorite subjects, especially Phonetics and Phonology I. The study of pronunciation basically consists of these fields, Phonetics and Phonology, and I have understood a lot of things by studying them: how spoken language works, how human beings communicate through speech sounds, which sounds are part of the English sound system, how we can describe and discriminate them, and how we say what we say, that is, the suprasegmental aspects of language."

3. Is there any subject you have not taught, but you wish to. Which one and why?

"Of course, there are other subjects I would like to teach someday. Some of them are Introduction to Linguistics, Advanced English I and II, Theater Workshop and any of the Literature courses as well. I would also like to teach Ethics and Teaching, a pedagogical course. Teaching these courses would help me open my mind and being to other significant learnings, grow professionally and academically, make me study harder and allow me to interact with other students and teachers"

4. What are the best experiences you have lived as an English teacher at the Teachers' Training College??

"I have had a lot of beautiful experiences as a university professor and it is quite challenging to decide which ones have been the most remarkable. Guiding people to understand how they can acquire a foreign language has been exciting and challenging, helping them become more responsible learners has always been a goal, persuading students that learning can be enjoyable and significant at the same time has been one of my goals and, above all, showing others that they can trust in God and others on the way is always in my mind. Being a teacher is a lifestyle and I would not change it for any other profession."