Teaching Freedom in a Hungarian High School

Type of Abstract (select): Paper presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
“Teaching Freedom in Hungary” may be interpreted in more than one way, and the title is intentional in this regard. In this interactive session, the presenter will discuss three related concepts of freedom based upon her personal experiences as an English teacher in Hungary.
a) Freedom of Pedagogy: this includes the depth and breadth of syllabi, eclectic methods designed for effective classroom instruction, access to digital and print media, and various types of formative and summative assessment instruments.
b) Freedom as a Subject Area, a concept to be defined and explored in English classes: content-based language teaching is the theoretical framework and practical basis for creating teaching units in areas such as the Bill of Rights, the Civil Rights Movement, human rights, civil liberties, comparing and contrasting US and Hungarian laws and protections.
c) Freedom to Teach as a US Citizen in Hungary: in this section the presenter outlines necessary procedures to follow to apply for a residence/work permit in the online Enter Hungary website and on-ground for biometric data, the fees to pay, and the parameters within which one must typically work.
Throughout the session, attendees will be encouraged to participate by sharing reactions, expertise, and their own experiences in any of these areas.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Li-Lee Tunceren, PhD, has taught English in multiculural contexts and provided teacher training and mentorship for over four decades in the US and abroad. She started her career in the Peace Corps in West Africa and was later awarded two Fulbright lectureships, in Turkey and in Hungary. Her PhD is in Second Language Acquisition and Instructional Technology, granted by the University of South Florida (2017). At present, Dr. Tunceren is teaching English in a bilingual high school in Dunakeszi, Hungary.