Nigel A.

Caplan
Associate Professor nacaplan@udel.edu
University of Delaware English Language Institute www.nigelcaplan.com

DEGREES PhD, Education (Literacy Studies) 2017

University of Delaware
Dissertation: The Contributions of Joint Construction to Intermediate ESL Students
Independent Writing. Advisor, Dr. Charles MacArthur.
Committee: Dr. Liz Farley-Ripple (UD), Dr. Adrian Pasquarella (UD), Dr. Luciana de
Oliveira (University of Miami)

M.S.Ed. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2002

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Thouron Award full scholarship recipient

B.A.(Hons.) Modern & Medieval Languages 2000

Cambridge University, England
First-class honors

CONTINUING Leadership Development Certificate 2007

TESOL
EDUCATION
TEACHING University of Delaware
Associate Professor, English Language Institute 2017 - present
EXPERIENCE Assistant Professor, English Language Institute 2010 - 2017
Teach in the Intensive English and English for Academic Purposes Programs
MA TESL committee member, student advisor, and practicum supervisor
English for Graduate Students Reading/Writing Level Coordinator (2015-)
Coordinator, Additional Certification in ESOL/Bilingual Education initiative (2015-)
Coordinator, Graduate Communication Support Initiative (2016-)
Academic Coordinator, Fulbright English for Graduate Studies Program (2015-2016)
Chair, Curriculum Committee (2011-)
Chair, EAP task force (2012-2016) needs analysis and program re-design
Chair, Faculty Search Committee (2011-2012); member (2015-2016)
Chair, CEA Curriculum Working Group (2014-2015)
Member, Textbook Committee (2014-2016)
Member, Professional Development Task Force (2010-2013)
Designed courses for MBA, graduate, and general-English students

Wust Summer School for English Language, Theatre, Music, and Culture, Germany
Director of Language Studies 2017
Responsible for hiring and supervising 18 instructors; overseeing language classes and
cultural activities for 250 students aged 10 to 60+; teaching a course for local EFL
teachers; liaising with summer school administration and local officials.
EFL Teacher 1997-2001
Taught English language, literature and drama to students aged 13 to adult
 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2008-2010
ESL Specialist in the Writing Center
Developed services for ESL graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and staff
Designed and facilitated classes, writing group, and workshops
Conducted needs analyses, surveys, focus groups, and data collection
Assisted with training of Writing Center graduate-student tutors to work with ESL writers

Michigan State University

Academic Specialist, English Language Center 2007-2008
Taught in the Intensive English and English for Academic Purposes Programs
Supervised adjuncts, teaching assistants, and faculty
Chair of the Textbook Sub-Committee
Curriculum Committee member; led a review of the curriculum objectives
Supervised, observed, and mentored faculty, teaching assistants, and adjuncts
Facilitated professional development through regular skills meetings

ESL Instructor, English Language Center 2003-2007

Taught in the Intensive English Program & English for Academic Purposes program
ESL Writing Lab consultant for first-year composition and other writing classes
Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) self-study committee
Chair, Literacy Committee; created One Book, One ELC (program-wide literacy project)
Library coordinator (600+ item student lending library)
Graded in-house essay placement tests
Rated International Teaching Assistant tests (SPEAK and oral interviews)
Redesigned and taught pedagogy, language, and culture curriculum for EFL teachers
Assisted with administration, including class scheduling, budgeting, and room booking

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 2001-2003

Lecturer, English Language Programs
Taught, evaluated, and supported multi-national classes of learners
Designed and taught new elective classes
Created a book club and coordinated One Book, One Philadelphia, One ELP

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Graduate School of Education 2002

Graded homework, research papers, and exams for a graduate TESOL course

Philadelphia University 2002

Adjunct ESL Faculty, First-Year Composition

Community Student Action, Cambridge, England 1999-2000

Volunteer ESL tutor for two immigrant children

Collge Notre-Dame, Saint-Saulve, France 1998-1999

English Language Teaching Assistant (Middle School)

Nigel A. Caplan Page 2

COURSES TAUGHT Reading/Writing and Listening/Speaking for Graduate Students (UD ELI)*
Advanced Listening & Communication Skills (UD ELI)*
(SAMPLE) EDUC 742: MA-TESL Practicum (UD)*
LING 499/699: Issues in Teaching English Language Learners (UD)*
* = developed or LING 676: The Structure of English (UD; blended course)*
redesigned English 110: ESL First-Year Composition (UD*, Philadelphia University)
English through Drama (UD ELI, MSU*, Penn*)
Research Writing and Grammar for Graduate Students and Postdocs (UNC)*
Academic Presentation Skills for Graduate Students and Postdocs (UNC)*
Advanced Content-Based Writing/Grammar (MSU)*
English for Academic Purposes: Reading (MSU)
EFL Methodology for In-Service Teachers(MSU)*
Advanced Pragmatics and Oral Skills for EFL Teachers (MSU)*
Advanced Core Integrated-Skills Course: Language through Film (Penn)

TEXTBOOKS & Caplan, N. A. & Douglas, S. R. (2015). Q: Skills for Success, Reading/Writing 5 (2nd
edition). New York: Oxford University Press.
TEACHING
Bixby, J. & Caplan, N.A. Inside Writing 2. (2014). New York: Oxford University Press.
MATERIALS
Caplan, N. A. & Bixby, J. Inside Writing 4. (2014). New York: Oxford University Press.
Caplan, N. A. (2012). Grammar Choices for Graduate and Professional Writers. Ann
Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Caplan, N. A. & Douglas, S. R. (2011) Q: Skills for Success, Reading/Writing 5. New York:
Oxford University Press.
Caplan, N. A. (2010). Step Up to the TOEFL iBT: Basic Level. Ann Arbor: University of
Michigan Press.
Caplan, N. A. (2009). Step Up to the TOEFL iBT for Intermediate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press.
Caplan, N. A. (2007). Forces of Nature, Wildfires: A Skills Review and Writing Text. Ann
Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Caplan, N. A. (2007). Forces of Nature, Hurricanes and Floods: A Grammar Skills Text.
Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Caplan, N. A. (2007). Open Forum 3 Website (listening scripts). New York: Oxford.
Caplan, N. A. (2006). Open Forum 2 Website (listening scripts). New York: Oxford.
Caplan, N. A. (2006). Open Forum 1 Website (listening scripts). New York: Oxford.
Zwier, L. J. with Caplan, N.A. (2006). Everyday English for Hospitality Professionals. Seoul,
South Korea: Compass.
Caplan, N. A. (2004). Everyday English for Young People: Teachers Guide. Seoul, South
Korea: Compass.
Zwier L. J. with Caplan, N.A. (2004). Essential Functions for Conversations: Teachers
Guide. Hong Kong: Asia-Pacific Press.

Nigel A. Caplan Page 3

ARTICLES & Caplan, N.A. & Stevens, S.G. (2016). Step Out of the Cycle: Needs, Challenges, and
Successes of International Undergraduates at a U.S. University. English for Specific
CHAPTERS Purposes. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2016.11.003
Caplan, N.A. & Farling, M. (2016). A Dozen Heads are Better than One: Collaborative
Writing in Genre-Based Pedagogy. TESOL Journal. doi: 10.1002/tesj.287
Caplan, N.A. (in press). Genres and conflicts in MBA writing assignments. In T. Smith et
al. (Eds.), Graduate Writing Across the Disciplines: Identifying, Teaching, and
Supporting. Parlor Press/WAC Clearinghouse.
Caplan, N.A. & Cox, M. (2016). The State of Graduate Communication Support: Results of
an International Survey. In Simpson, S., Caplan, N.A., Cox, M., & Phillips, T. (Eds.),
Graduate Writing Support: Research, Pedagogy, Program Design. Ann Arbor,
University of Michigan Press.
Caplan, N.A. (2015). Book review of Christine Ortmeier-Hooper, The ELL Writer. Journal
of Second Language Writing, 30, 92-93.
Caplan, N. A. (2013, October). From Generic Writing to Writing Genres. SLW News.
Available at http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/tesolslwis/issues/2013-10-
07/8.html
Caplan, N. A. (2013). Language Is Not the Only Barrier (Unless It Is): An Essay Review of
Linguistic Minority Students Go to College. Education Review, 16(1). Available at
http://www.edrev.info/essays/v16n1.pdf
Caplan, N. A. (2010). Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay: A Content-First Approach. In S.
Kasten (Ed.), Effective Second Language Writing. Alexandria, VA: TESOL.
Carkin, G., Dodson-Knight, S., Finger, A.G., Spence, S., Caplan, N.A., & Trupin, J. (2009).
Readers Theater: Turbo-Charged Language Acquisition. In S. Rilling & M. Dantas-
Whitney (Eds.), Authenticity in Adult Classrooms and Beyond. Alexandria, VA: TESOL.
Stokes , L.R., Caplan, N. A., & McCullough, A.S. (2008). Beyond Help!: Diagnosing the L2
Writers Essay. In Pearson, C.M., Losey, K., & Caplan, N.A. (Eds.), Proceedings of the
2007 MITESOL Conference. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.
Caplan, N. A. (2007). Writing Workshops That Work. In N.A. Caplan and C.M. Pearson
(Eds.,) All As in the Classroom: Proceedings of the 2006 MITESOL Conference. East
Lansing: Michigan State University Press.
Caplan, N. A., McCullough, A.S. & Stokes, L.R. (2006). Beyond the Writing Textbook. In C.
M. Pearson, N. A. Caplan, & C. Wilson-Duffy (Eds.), State of the Art: Proceedings of
the 2005 MITESOL Conference. Ed.. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.
Caplan, N. A. (2004). Revisiting the Diary: Re-reading Anne Franks Re-writing. The Lion
and The Unicorn 28(1). Reprinted in H. Bloom (Ed.), Blooms Modern Interpretations:
The Diary of Anne Frank. New York: Bloom Literary Criticism, 2010.
Sullivan, J. & Caplan, N.A.. (2003). Beyond the Dictogloss. Penn Working Papers in
Educational Linguistics, 19(1).
Caplan, N. A. (2002). How Are You Smart? Multiple Intelligences in the Form-Focused
Language Classroom. Penn-TESOL-East Voices.

Nigel A. Caplan Page 4

EDITED Simpson, S., Caplan, N.A., Cox, M., & Phillips, T. (Eds.). Graduate Writing Support:
Research, Pedagogy, Program Design. Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press, 2016.
COLLECTIONS
Pearson, C, M., Losey, K. & Caplan, N.A. (Eds.). Proceedings of the 2007 MITESOL
Conference. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2008.
Caplan, N. A., and Pearson, C.M. (Eds.). All As in the Classroom: Proceedings of the
2006 MITESOL Conference. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2007.
Pearson, C, M., Caplan, N.A., & Wilson-Duffy, C. (Eds.) State of the Art: Proceedings of
the 2005 MITESOL Conference. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2006.

INVITED OR Kansas State University (2016)

Symposium on Second Language Writing (2016)
PLENARY SPEAKER Japanese Association for Language Teaching (2015)
Oxford Day, Japan (2015)
Howard Community College (2015)
Northern Virginia Community College (2015)
George Mason University (2015)
Colloquium of the Consortium on Graduate Communication (Co-Chair, 2015)
Westminster Theological Seminary (2014, 2015)
International TESOL Convention (2014)
University of Trento, Italy (2014)
University of Maryland (2013)
Southeast TESOL Regional Conference (2009)

NATIONAL/ Caplan, N.A. (2017, March). Connecting Process and Product in Collaborative Writing: A
Mixed-Methods Approach. Paper at the American Association of Applied
INTERNATIONAL Linguistics Conference, Portland, OR.
CONFERENCE Caplan, N.A., & Feak, C.B. (2016, October). What Graduate Students Need and How to
PRESENTATIONS Provide It. Invited workshop at the Symposium on Second Language Writing,
Tempe, AZ.
Caplan, N.A. (2016, October). Developing Genre Expertise through Joint Construction.
Paper at the Symposium on Second Language Writing, Tempe, AZ.
Caplan, N.A., Pessoa, S., Miller, R., Mitchell, T., & Zappa-Hollman, S. (2016, April).
Discovering and Teaching the Grammar of Academic Writing. Workshop at the
TESOL Convention, Baltimore, MD.
Caplan, N.A., & Cranker, K. (2016, April). Aligning EAP and University Outcomes. Paper at
the TESOL Convention, Baltimore, MD.
Kim, J., & Caplan, N.A. (2016, April). Beyond the EAP Border into Graduate Studies:
Cross-institutional Curricular Models. Paper at the TESOL Convention, Baltimore,
MD.
Caplan, N.A. (2015, November). Mastering Real Writing With the Teaching/Learning
Cycle. Featured workshop at the JALT Conference, Shizuoka, Japan.
Caplan, N.A. (2015, November). Integrated Skills, Critical Thinking, and Academic
Success. Publisher session at the JALT Conference, Shizuoka, Japan.
Caplan, N.A. & Farling, M. (2015, March). Genres that Work. Paper at the TESOL
Convention, Toronto, Ontario.

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 Caplan, N.A. & Cranker, K.J. (2015, March). Good Stuff and Bad Stuff: The Essay Language
Project. Paper at the TESOL Convention, Toronto, Ontario.
Stevens, S.G. & Caplan, N.A. (2015, March). Using Needs Analysis Data. Colloquium
convened at the TESOL Convention, Toronto, Ontario.
Caplan, N.A. (2015, March). Mastering Genres with Inside Writing. TESOL Convention,
Toronto, Ontario.
Caplan, N. A. & Cox, M. (2015, March) The State of L2 Graduate Support. Plenary at the
Colloquium of the Consortium on Graduate Communication, Toronto, Ontario.
Caplan, N. A. & Cox, M. (2014, Nov.) The State of L2 Graduate Writing Support. Paper at
the Symposium on Second Language Writing, Tempe, AZ.
Feak, C.M. & Caplan, N.A. (2014, March). What Graduate Students Really Need. Invited
session at the TESOL Convention, Portland, OR.
Caplan, N. A., Pessoa, S. Miller R., & Bae, K-H. (2014, March). Disciplinary Writing,
Disciplinary Genres. Colloquium at the TESOL Convention, Portland, OR.
Caplan, N. A., Phillippakos, Z., & MacArthur, C. (2014, Feb). Making Writing Visible:
Comparing Genre-Based Pedagogy and Cognitive Strategy Instruction. Paper
presented at Writing Research Across Borders, Paris, France.
Pessoa, S., Miller, R. & Caplan, N.A. (2014, Feb.) Disciplinary Writing, Disciplinary Genres.
Roundtable at Writing Research Across Borders, Paris, France.
Caplan, N. A. (2013, June). Academic English is Nobodys First Language: Teaching the
Genres of Graduate Writing. Workshop at the Conference of the Association of
European Teachers of Academic Writing, Budapest, Hungary.
Caplan, N. A., & Feak, C.M. (2013, March). Teaching the Genres of Graduate Writing.
Workshop at the TESOL Convention, Dallas, TX.
Caplan, N. A. (2013, March). Supporting ESL Graduate Students. Roundtable discussion
at the TESOL Convention, Dallas, TX.
Caplan, N.A. (2013, March). The Grammar Choices that Matter in Academic Writing.
TESOL Convention, Dallas, TX.
Caplan, N. A. (2012, Sep.). Collaborative Writing in the Preparation of ESL Graduate
Students. Paper presented at the Symposium on Second Language Writing, Purdue
University.
Caplan, Nigel A. (2012, June). Genre and Cognition in an MBA Program. Paper presented
at Genre 2012: An International Conference on Genre Studies, Carleton University,
Ottawa.
Caplan, N. A., Feak, C.M., Canseco, G., & Greer, J. (2012, March). Preparing for
Excellence: Practical Strategies for Successful Graduate Writing. Workshop at the
TESOL Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
Caplan, N.A. (2012, March). Making Grammar Choices in Advanced Academic Writing.
TESOL Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
Simpson, S., Caplan, N.A., Zanzucchi, A., & Feak, C.M. (2012, March). Preparing and
Supporting Graduate Student Writers Across the University. Colloquium at the
Conference on College Composition & Communication, St. Louis, MO.
Caplan, N.A. (2011, March). Grammar Blogs. Demonstration at the TESOL Convention,
New Orelans, LA.

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 Caplan, N. A. (2010, March). Navigating the Discipline: Writing Groups for Graduate
Students and Postdocs. Paper at the TESOL Convention, Boston, MA.
Caplan, N. A., McCullough, A.S., & Stokes, L.R. (2009, March). Playing Games, Creating
Writers. Experimental session at the TESOL Convention, Denver, CO.
Caplan, N. A., McCullough, A.S., & Stokes, L.R (2009, March). Diagnosing the L2 Writers
Essay: A Strategies-Based Approach. Workshop at the TESOL Convention, Denver,
CO.
Caplan, N.A. (2007, March). Writing Workshops That Work. Demonstration at the TESOL
Convention. Seattle, WA.
Caplan, N. A., McCullough, A.S., & Stokes, L.R. (2006, March). Beyond the Five-Paragraph
Essay. Workshop at the TESOL Convention. Tampa, FL.
Carkin, G., Caplan, N.A., Finger, A.G., & OSullivan, J. (2006, March). Effective Uses of
Drama in ESL/EFL. Post-Convention Institute at the TESOL Convention. Tampa, FL.
Carkin, G., Caplan, N.A., Finger, A.G., & OSullivan, J. (2005, March). Reducing Drama-
Phobia in the ESL/EFL Classroom. Demonstration at the TESOL Convention. San
Antonio, TX.
Caplan, N. A. (2004, April).From Page to Stage to Real Life. Workshop at the TESOL
Convention. Long Beach, CA.
Caplan, N. A. (2004, April). Beyond the Dictogloss. Paper presented at the TESOL
Convention. Long Beach, CA.

REGIONAL Caplan, N.A. (2013, Nov.). From Generic Writing to Writing Genres: Developments in
Genre-Based L2 Writing Pedagogy. Penn-TESOL East Conference.
CONFERENCE
Caplan, N. A. (2011, Nov.) . Discovering Academic Writing through the Teaching-Learning
PRESENTATIONS Cycle. Penn-TESOL-East Conference.
Caplan, N. A. (2010, Nov.). Real Writers Dont Do It in Five Paragraphs. Penn-TESOL East
Conference.
Caplan, N. A. & Taylor, V. (2009, March). Throwing Spaghetti at the Wall: Developing
Services for International Students and Scholars from Scratch. North Carolina
Association of International Educators. Greensboro, NC.
Caplan, N. A., McCullough, A.S., & Stokes, L.R. (2007, Oct.). Beyond Help!: Diagnosing
the L2 Writers Essay: A Strategies-Based Approach. MITESOL Conference. Ypsilanti,
MI.
Caplan, N. A., McCullough, A.S., & Stokes, L.R. (2006, Oct.). Beyond the Writing Process.
MITESOL Conference. Mt. Pleasant, MI.
Caplan, N. A. Writing Workshops That Work. (2006, Oct.). MITESOL Conference. Mt.
Pleasant, MI.
Caplan, N. A., McCullough, A.S., & Stokes, L.R. (2005, Nov.). Beyond the Writing
Textbook. MITESOL Conference. East Lansing, MI.
Caplan, N. A., McCullough, A.S., & Stokes, L.R. (2004, Nov.). Beyond the Five-Paragraph
Essay. MITESOL Conference. Grand Rapids, MI.
Caplan, N. A. (2003, Nov.) From Page to Stage to Real Life. MITESOL Conference. Ann
Arbor, MI.

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 Caplan, N. A. (2002, Nov.). Creating an ESL Book Club. Penn-TESOL-East Fall Conference.
Philadelphia, PA.
Caplan, N. A. (2002, Apr). Taking a Risk: Understanding ESL Learners Responses to
Literature. Penn-TESOL-East Spring Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
Caplan, N. A. (2001, Dec.). Focusing on Multiple Forms of Language through Drama.
Penn-TESOL-East Fall Conference. Philadelphia, PA.

PROFESSIONAL Chair, TESOL Second Language Writing Interest Section (2017-2018)

Founding Co-Chair, Consortium on Graduate Communication (2014-2017)
SERVICE Advisory Council, Delaware English Language Learner and Teacher Advocates (2016-)
Steering committee, TESOL Second Language Writing Interest Section (2010-2013)
Proposal reader, TESOL Convention (2012-present)
Reviewer, TESOL Quarterly, Journal of English for Specific Purposes, Journal of Second
Language Writing, Journal of Writing Research (2014-present)
Liaison, WriteOn! Community literacy program for teenagers, Durham, NC (2008-9)
Advisory Board, Carolina Navigators (K-16 international outreach program) (2009-2010)
Co-Editor, Proceedings of the MITESOL Conference (2005, 2006, 2007)
Representative, MITESOL Advisory Committee (post-secondary education), 2005-2007
Co-founder and moderator of TESOL-Drama, a membership e-group, 2003-2007
Moderator and trainer, TESOLs Electronic Village Online, 2003-2007 & 2009

SKILLS AND Computer literate: MS Office, HTML, Blackboard, Sakai, Canvas, Adobe, WordPress
Languages: Competent French and German; elementary Spanish
INTERESTS Drama: Community and student theater (Cambridge, Philadelphia, Michigan, Germany)

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