Back to top

Photograph of Tabitha Kidwell

Tabitha Kidwell Senior Professorial Lecturer World Languages and Cultures

Degrees
Ph.D., Applied Linguistics and Language Education, University of Maryland
M.A., Foreign and Second Language Education, The Ohio State University
B.S., French and Spanish Education; B.A., French, Miami University

Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish, Bahasa Indonesia, Malagasy
Bio
Tabitha Kidwell is a language teacher and teacher educator interested in innovative approaches to language teaching, language teacher education, and the development of intercultural competence. She has taught French, Spanish, and English to students ranging from pre-schoolers to adults, and has conducted professional development for language teachers in Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the United States. Dr. Kidwell is a frequent presenter at regional and international TESOL conferences. She began her career in language education as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar, from 2004 to 2006.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Fall 2024

  • CORE-107 Complex Problems Seminar: Why Learn World Languages

  • HNRS-050 Honors Supplement

  • TESL-400 Principles of Linguistics

  • TESL-445 Curriculum & Materials Design

Spring 2025

  • CORE-105 Complex Problems Seminar: Why Learn World Languages

  • LING-420 Language in Society

  • TESL-220 Language, Education and Equity

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Selected Publications

[Selected and Recent]

Triyoko, H., & Kidwell, T. (In Press). Promoting a World Englishes perspective through podcasts. ELT Journal, 77. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccad002

Kidwell, T. (2021). Protectors and preparers: Novice Indonesian EFL teachers’ beliefs regarding teaching about culture. Language and Intercultural Communication, 21(5), 631-645. http://doi.org/10.1080/14708477.2021.1913179

Kidwell, T.  & Triyoko, H. (2021). Language awareness as a resource for multilingual individuals’ learning about culture: A Javanese case study. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. http://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2021.1922421

Kidwell, T., Peercy, M. M., Tigert, J., & Fredricks, D. (2021). Novice teachers’ use of pedagogical language knowledge to humanize language and literacy development. TESOL Journal, 12(3).https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.590

Kidwell, T. & Pentón Herrera, L. (2019). Culturally sustaining pedagogy in action: Views from Indonesia and the United States.  Kappa Delta Pi Record, 55(2), 60-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/00228958.2019.1580982

Professional Presentations

[Selected and Recent]

Kidwell, T., & Triyoko, H. (2023, March). Listening to diverse English voices through podcasts. Presentation at the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages International Convention, Portland, OR.

Kidwell, T. (2022, September). Scaffolding Project-Based Instruction: Supporting Student Success. American English Live 15.2 (A program of the U.S. Department of State, presented to 1400 EFL teachers worldwide). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQTxWD3jrr0

Kidwell, T., (2022, March). TESOL teacher educators’ professional development: Challenges, successes, and opportunities. Presentation at the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages International Convention, Pittsburgh, PA.

Kidwell, T. (2022, August). Windows and Mirrors: Multiculturalism and Interculturality in Language Teaching. Virtual Keynote, UIN Salatiga International Conference on Language and culture, Indonesia. 

Kidwell, T., Awadh, A., Charway, O., Sidahmed, A., & Tcheuntche, J. C. (2020, November). Project-Based instruction: Integrated language learning for the 21st century. Africa ELTA webinar series. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5uKcmnMli8