Unlock the World: Dive into a Human Library of Languages

Elena's research focuses on language acquisition, bilingualism, and heritage languages in the Canadian context. She examines the processes underlying the development of second languages as well as heritage and immigrant languages. Her main focus is to understand the mental and cognitive processes that guide language learning by examining language acquisition in multilingual contexts.

Laura Ambrosio is interested in both practical and theoretical aspects of languages acquisition, teaching and evaluation, in various contexts, including immersion, French second language for international accreditation (DELF – DALF) and Italian, modern language. She publishes and contributes to the elaboration of pedagogical tools and manuals for second language learning.

Kwey kinawik!

Dara Wawatie-Chabot is a parent of two babies and they are Algonquin Anishinabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg kaye Algonquins of Barrier Lake. Dara was raised on the land in the summertime, in Parc de la Verendrye, in Quebec. They have worked hard to learn from nikokomis (their grandmother), nidjodjo (their mother), ashidj kakina nidomak (their entire family).

Dara Wawatie-Chabot is a community activist and advocate for healing, resilience and strength. As a young Indigenous person, they have learned to navigate colonial violence daily, both within structural institutions, as well as through their kinship systems on the ground. They specialize in anti-violence, anti-racism, anti-sexism work, and they strive to empower communities and individuals to be self-determining in their own healing journeys.

Samantha learned Mandarin to connect with her roots and challenged herself to learn French in elementary school. Her first languages are English and Cantonese.

Today, she sees languages as a tool and a medium for creative, professional, and personal growth. Samantha is interested in developing trauma-informed teaching practices and exploring the ways in which various forms of trauma influence the process of language learning.

Originally from Colombia, Cindy completed an undergraduate degree in Second Language Teaching (French and English) from the University of Antioquia. She then completed a Master 2 in Stratégies culturelles internationales at the Institut National Universitaire Champollion in Toulouse, France and is about to graduate from the OLBI's Master's in Bilingualism Studies, here in Ottawa. She speaks Spanish, French, English, Portuguese (a bit) and German (a little bit). Cindy has been teaching French for 17 years and can definitely say that teaching is her passion. She loves learning about other cultures through language, literature, movies, dance, and, of course, food!

A self-taught polyglot, Isabela was born and raised in Meier, in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although her family only ever spoke Portuguese, she was never that far from foreign languages since Rio was always crowded with tourists. In 2017, she was able to come to Canada to do a high school exchange in English. A year turned into 2, and soon Isabela was faced with a big decision: return to Brazil or find a way to stay in Canada? She couldn't afford the high tuition costs of Canadian universities, yet she felt like staying would open doors for herself and her family. She heard about the University of Ottawa's French Immersion program, and decided she would give it a shot, and convinced her mum to pay for the high tuition for one year. She felt that if she succeeded, she would stay in Canada and build a better life for all of them. If not, she would return to Brazil and figure it out. Skip to nowadays, she is a year away from graduating in the French Immersion program, also picked up Spanish and Italian, worked for the United Nations twice, and is planning for what is next!

Joerg Esleben grew up in Cologne, Germany, where he studied English, French, and Spanish in high school. He expanded his knowledge of English during an exchange year in the USA in 11th grade. He then studied English literature and a bit of Russian language during his undergraduate years at Cologne University before going to the University of Rochester in New York State for his graduate studies in comparative literature. For personal reasons, he learned some Tamil during this time. Since taking up a job as professor of German and intercultural studies at the University of Ottawa in 2004, Joerg has reactivated and built on his high school French and is currently trying to do the same for his Spanish.

Clíodhna Ní Chorráin is currently teaching Irish Language & Culture in the University of Ottawa. She just arrived in Canada 3 weeks ago and is very much looking forward to the year ahead. Clíodhna is from Belfast in Ireland. She has lived previously in Spain and the USA. She speaks Spanish, and is keen to learn other languages - in particular French and Arabic! She plays Irish traditional music, sings and teaches dance. As an activist, Clíodhna spends a lot of time campaigning for human rights worldwide, including language rights in Northern Ireland.