Allison M.

Orr
* allisonm.orr@gmail.com

EDUCATION
Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY v USA
Graduated May 2016
Thesis: Measuring the Effects of Input Enhancements on Lexical Inferencing using Eye Tracking was nominated for
the Applied Linguistics and Language Education Award for outstanding M.A. research project.
Focus: Took both theoretical and applied linguistics courses in first and second language acquisition with a focus on
syntax and vocabulary acquisition.
Relevant Coursework: Trained in SPSS: Classical test item analysis. Developed, administered, and analyzed midterm
assessments for low-intermediate English-language classes during the Fall 2015 semester at the Teachers College
Community Language Program.
Bachelor of Arts in History & Spanish Linguistics
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ v USA
Graduated Magna Cum Laude, 2006
Thesis: Cinco de Mayo: The Celebration, Marketing, and Education of a Holiday in the United States was one of only
five nominated from more than 100 for the Outstanding Research Paper Award.
Focus: Took courses in language development, identity, and Latin-American history with a focus on the intersection
of the three.
Study Abroad: Universidad de Guanajuato, Mexico; Universidad de Belgrano, Argentina; Universidad Internacional
Menndez Pelayo, Spain.
TEACHING, ASSESSMENT, AND CURRICULUM DESIGN
Freelance Test Item Writer, QBS Learning, May 2016-present
New York, NY v USA
Current Project: Cambridge University Press
Develop nationwide, standardized, English-language assessments for the Ministry of Education in the United Arab
Emirates using customized Cambridge University Press K-12 curriculum.
Create reading, writing, listening, and speaking test items for Grades 1-12 grounded in established practices of test
development.
Review items weekly with team of item writers and editors at Cambridge University Press to establish content validity
and ensure consistency.
ESL Instructor, Teachers College Community Language Program, Spring 2016
New York, NY v USA
Co-taught spring semester advanced conversation class with focus on fluency, accuracy, and appropriateness in a
variety of communication situations through interactive tasks such as presentations and role-plays.
Developed theme-based syllabus designed to strengthen students speaking and listening skills needed in both formal
and informal encounters for different social and professional purposes.
Created series of informal formative assessments embedded into daily lesson plans; designed, administered, and
analyzed summative midterm and final exams.
Mentored new teachers by providing feedback on lesson plans and guidance with test design.
ESL Instructor, The New England School of English, 2011-2014; 2008-2009
Cambridge, MA v USA
Taught advanced grammar, conversation, listening, reading, and writing to highest-level students from around the
world, aged 18 and up. Special focus on TOEFL preparation.
Researched, designed, and implemented revised curriculum for Advanced Grammar students. Tracked performance of
students with both formative and summative assessments.
Integrated computer technology such as blogs and podcasts to build digital literacy and enhance student collaboration.
Developed and delivered monthly professional development workshops elaborating on pedagogical strategies and new
approaches such as, Technology & Language Acquisition: Using TED Talks in ESL Learning.

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* allisonm.orr@gmail.com

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Proctored monthly TOEFL ITP standardized assessments to ready students for TOEFL iBT exam.
Assisted with the monthly intake of new students by administering and grading placement exams.
Organized and ran weekly clubs and after-school activities, such as International Food Exchange and walking tours of
Boston, to foster sense of community.
Conducted individual tutoring sessions four days a week for TOEFL, IELTS, conversation, and pronunciation.

EFL Instructor, Time International Language Center, 2010-2011

Taipei v Taiwan
Taught intensive conversational & business English courses for Chinese-speaking university students. Specialized in
IELTS and TOEFL preparation classes.
Trained to be an examiner for IELTS speaking test; evaluated students once a month in IELTS oral interview.
Curriculum Writer & EFL Instructor, Pacific English Institute, 2009-2010
Taipei v Taiwan
Developed and implemented a new school-wide curriculum based on US elementary school grade system, adapted
specifically for Chinese-speaking ESL learners; subsequently trained other teachers in its use.
Taught daily phonics, spelling, grammar, reading and writing classes to Chinese children aged 6-12 in both large and
small classroom settings.
ESL Instructor, Inlingua, 2007
Washington, DC v USA
Taught intensive evening classes to intermediate-advanced, multi-national, adult English language learners, with
practical emphasis on direct communication through speaking.
Designed and implemented formative and summative assessments to measure student progress throughout the course.
VOLUNTEER WORK
English Teacher Aide, Uttara High School & College, 2007
Dhaka v BANGLADESH
Volunteered 10 hours each week to teach conversational English to classes of 50 secondary school girls.
Volunteer Tutor, Inlingua, 2007
Pune v INDIA
Volunteered to provide daily, small-group tutoring sessions to Nepalese and Iranian English-language learners.
Student Mentor, West Vancouver School District, 2001-2002
Vancouver, BC v CANANDA
Provided 1.5 hours of daily tutoring to 10 disadvantaged elementary school students during the academic school year.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant, Teachers College Language and Cognition Lab, 2015-present
New York, NY v USA
Supervisor: Dr. Peter Gordon
Serve as Eye-Tracking Coordinator responsible for training students and managing lab policies and equipment.
Transcribe and analyze 50 hours of videotaped parent-child interactions from principal investigators field research
with the Piraha indigenous peoples living in the Brazilian Amazon.
Assist principal investigator by administering series of tasks designed to measure numerical cognition in children
aged 2-8.
Research Co-chair, Teachers College TESOL/AL Roundtable, 2015-2016
New York, NY v USA
Supervisor: Dr. Howard Williams
Developed and implemented bimonthly, five-part Guided Research Series, workshops that helped new and continuing
students choose a research topic, narrow the focus of that topic, write a literature review, organize their research using
new technologies, and share research formally and informally.
Created and managed research website that served as a resource for those interested in graduate research.
Collaborated monthly with 11 other Roundtable members to outline, implement, and review over a dozen student-led
events.

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* allisonm.orr@gmail.com

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Teachers College Annual Fund Scholar, 2015-2016

Teachers College Applied Linguistics and TESOL Program Scholarship, 2014-2016
CERTIFICATIONS

TESOL/TESL Certification, Oxford Seminars, 2007

Washington, DC v USA
Completed 60-hour intensive teacher training course, with distinction for teaching practicum.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (www.tesol.org)

New York State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (NYSTESOL) (www.nystesol.org)
American Association Applied Linguistics (AAAL) (www.aaal.org)
International Linguistic Association (ILA)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

NYS TESOL Applied Linguistics Winter Conference, 2016, New York, NY, Meeting of the Minds: Interdisciplinary
Approaches to Language and Education
TC/ETS Annual Forum on Teaching, Learning, and Assessment of English Language Learners, 2016, New York, NY,
New Applications and Challenges in Second Language (L2) Pragmatics Assessment
Workshop on Bilingualism and Executive Function: An Interdisciplinary Approach, 2015, New York, NY
ILA Annual Conference, 2015, New York, NY, Linguistics and Education
Teachers College Annual Academic Festival, 2015, New York, NY, Ignite, Inspire, Innovate
NYS TESOL Applied Linguistics Winter Conference, 2015, New York, NY, Multiple Perspectives: Integrating
Theory and Practice
TCCRISLS Conference, 2014, New York, NY, Learning-Oriented Assessment in Language Classrooms and LargeScale Assessment Contexts
East Coast Organization of Language Testers (ECOLT) Annual Conference, 2014, New York, NY
Language and Social Interaction (LANSI) Annual Conference, 2014, New York, NY
TESOL Annual Conference, 2012, Philadelphia PA, A Declaration of Excellence
MATSOL Annual Conference, 2009, Leominster MA, Multiple Literacies: Launching English Language Learners
into a New Era
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Learning Management Systems: Moodle, Blackboard, Schoology, MOOCs, and SMART technologies.
Online Collaboration Tools: Google+ (Google Drive & Google Hangouts), Dropbox, and GoToMeeting.
Research Tools: SPSS, ELAN, Tobii Studios (Eye-tracking software), Net Station (EEG software), Mendeley,
Docear, LaTeX, Nvivo, EndNote, and Qualtrics.
WEBSITE

Teaching Portfolio: http://allisonmeganorr.weebly.com/

LANGUAGES & TRAVEL

English (native proficiency); Spanish (intermediate-advanced proficiency); Mandarin Chinese (elementary

proficiency); Portuguese, Japanese, and French (structural knowledge).
Extensive travel in East Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Northern Africa; residency in Argentina, Bangladesh,
Canada, India, Mexico, Taiwan, and Spain.