Durham Tech director discusses research on immigrant women, target languages at Oxford University

Durham Tech director Paula Wilder shared her research with a global audience in December as a presenter for the Oxford Women’s Leadership Symposium in Oxford, England.

The symposium took place from December 4 to 6 at University of Oxford’s Somerville College and hosted faculty, staff, and student presenters from the U.S. and other countries such as South Africa, India, Canada, and Mexico.

Wilder, Director of English for Academic Purposes and Continuing Education for Non-Native English Speakers at Durham Tech, presented “Target Language Learning for Immigrant Women: Key to Empowerment, Stability, and Growth.” Through her research, Wilder wanted to focus on the importance of making language classes more accessible to immigrant women by offering them in settings such as educational and work environments and community centers.

“When immigrant women learn the target language, studies have shown improvements related to job and financial stability, mental and physical health, connection to the greater community, and children’s success in school,” she said.

During her Oxford presentation, Wilder cited the experiences Durham Tech has had holding language classes at UNC Medical Center and Cree, a company based in Durham with national and international offices. She also tied in other successful programs in Canada, Finland, and Denmark.

“From a practical standpoint, as part of my research, strategies and curriculum ideas were integrated in order to help guide language programs, governments, and schools in developing these specific language classes,” Wilder said.

She has been invited to submit her paper in one of Oxford’s academic journals. Wilder applied for the symposium through her connection with Guilford College in Greensboro, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English degree. She also minored in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and has presented at several women’s symposiums at Guilford.

Wilder stayed in Oxford from December 3 to 8. The symposium consumed most of her time with its day-long sessions. During her free time, Wilder visited historic sites such as the Bodleian Library, saw all of Oxford from atop the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and spent half a day in London.

After the symposium would wrap up for the day, you would often find Wilder out at dinner discussing the day’s presentations with the other presenters.

“We just couldn’t get enough because the topics were so interesting,” she said. “The presenters were from all over the world, so it was important to connect and learn more from each other to help broaden perspectives and gain new insights.”

To learn more about the Women’s Leadership Symposium, visit oxford-womens-leadership-symposium.com.

English for Academic Purposes, Wilder’s department at Durham Tech, is part of the College’s Center for the Global Learner. To learn more about the Center and its English as a Second Language programs, visit durhamtech.edu/center-global-learner.

Photo Credit: The group photo is from the Oxford Women's Leadership Symposium website.

Contact Stephanie Turner, Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator, at turners@durhamtech.edu for more.