Raquel Goebel

Born in Fortaleza, Brazil. I have a Law Degree and a Specialization in Tax Law and Legal Proceedings from the University of Fortaleza- UNIFOR, Brazil, and a Masters degree in Human Resource Management from Troy University, Alabama. My extensive knowledge on Brazilian culture, art, history, politics, and economics makes me prepared to meet student needs in a university setting. I am an energetic, creative, and committed professional who is dedicated to excellence in teaching. During my years at the UIUC, continuously, I have ranked outstanding by my students. This type of feedback is a great recognition of a job well done, and reflects my goal of striving for excellence in teaching Portuguese. My ability to speak, translate, and interpret in Portuguese and English using my language skills in addition to my cultural understanding make a difference in our local community and contribute to the mission of our university.  At the University of Illinois, I have been delivering programs that provide students with the foreign language skills and cross-cultural awareness they need to live and work abroad, to communicate effectively, and to perform other language-related duties. I am invested in applying the latest instructional methodologies and technologies to meet student demands. I am a trained by the ACTFL (the American Council in Teaching of Foreign Languages) to conduct OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview)-based interviews. I have conducted language proficiency evaluations in the four skills (reading, speaking, writing, and listening for understanding) for recipients of scholarships and fellowships such as FLAS (Foreign Area Studies Fellowship) and Fulbright. I have served Department of Spanish and Portuguese Foreign Language Evaluation Committee also providing a variety of language support services such as interpreting and translating legal documents, transcripts, and other academic papers for a wide range of purposes.  I work with the local Brazilian community to bring native speakers of Portuguese close to our campus, organizing community and cultural events with the goal of educating and fostering cultural understanding. In the Spring 2017, under my leadership, the Portuguese Program was nominated and received the Prestigious National award in the category "best educational initiative” by the Association of Teachers of Portuguese (AOTP) for the immersion project entitled Illinois Portuguese Language Connection (IPLC). The event, organized by the three major universities in Illinois– UIUC, Northwestern University, and University of Chicago– exemplifies how to raise the profile of a Portuguese Language Program in a university, and how collaborations can integrate universities and generate opportunities for students.