Cheri Pierson, Ed.D.

Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies
On Faculty since 1995

Phone: (630)752-7123
Email:

Education

Ed.D., Northern Illinois University (1999) 

Dissertation: 

Contributions of Adult Christian and English Language Education to a Society in Transformation: A Case Study of the Emmanuel Bible Institute, Oradea, Romania

M.A., Missions and Intercultural Studies/TESOL, Wheaton College (1994) 

Certificate, Swedish Language Proficiency, Goteborgs Universitet (Sweden 1984)

B.S., (English), Indiana University (1970)

About Cheri Pierson

Her professional interests include teacher education (practicum in TESOL; methodology), teaching and creating materials in English for non-native speakers who study Bible and theology (English for Bible and Theology), and issues related to women in leadership in cross-cultural contexts. 

Her personal interests include reading, hiking, Swedish culture, traveling and spending time with her husband (Steven) and two sons (Jonathan and David)

Courses Taught

  • INTR 611: Theoretical Foundations in TESOL Methodology
  • INTR 613: TESOL Classroom Dynamics Practicum
  • INTR 614: Curriculum and Materials Development in TESOL
  • INTR 552: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Gender and Leadership
  • INTR 573: Qualitative Research for Second Language Educators
  • EVAN 573: Qualitative Research for Evangelism and Leadership
  • INTR 691: Intercultural Forum
  • CE: 131: Introduction to Spiritual Formation (August  2009)
  • Teaching ESL/EFL to Children
  • Teaching English as a Foreign Language and the Bible
  • Teaching English for Bible and Theology

Membership in Professional Societies

  • Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
  • Christian Educators in TESOL Caucus
  • Illinois TESOL/BE (TESOL/Bilingual Education)
  • Adult Education Research Committee
  • Society of Professors of Education
  • Kappa Delta Pi (Education Honor Society)  
  • Steering Committee, Christians in English Language Teaching Conference
  • Committee for Standards of Higher Education 
  • Chair, Part-time Issues Committee, Illinois TESOL/BE

Research

  • Second Language Acquisition
  • English for Bible and Theology

Recent Publications

Books

  • Exploring Parables in Luke: Integrated Skills for ESL/EFL Theology Students. With Will Bankston and Marilyn Lewis. (Forthcoming)
  • Exploring Theological English: Reading, Vocabulary and Grammar for ESL/EFL. UK: Piquant Editions (2010). With Lonna Dickerson and Florence Scott.
  • Teacher’ Guide: Exploring Theological English. UK: Piquant Editions (20010). With Lonna Dickerson and Florence Scott.
  • Women Crossing Borders: Reflections on Cross-Cultural Ministry. Wheaton, Illinois: Evangelism and Missions Information Services (EMIS), Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College (2006).
  • Dictionary of Theological Terms in Simplified English Student Workbook: A Resource for English Language Learners. Wheaton, IL: Evangelism and Missions Information Services (EMIS) (2003).
  • Teologiska Engelska. Nordiska Bibelforening. Saffle, Sweden (1989).

Chapters

  • “Exploring Theological English: The Development of a Textbook.” In Kitty Purgason, ed. English Teaching English in Theological Contexts. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library (2010): 175-178.
  • “Dictionary of Theological Terms in Simplified English and Student Workbook: A Resource for English Language Learners.” In English Teaching in Theological Contexts. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library. (2010): 179-184.
  • “English for Theological Study.” In Teaching More than English. Evanston, Illinois: Berry Publishing Services, Inc. and the Billy Graham Center (Chapter 13, 1997).

Curriculum, Guides & Resources

  • English Taxi: An EFL Radio Project for International Listeners. General Editor with Fred Bazzoli. Quito, Ecuador: HCJB Radio (2004).
  • Opening the Door for Ministry: A TEFL Training Guide for Short-Term Missionaries. With Susan Dillon. Elgin, Illinois: International Teams (1999).
  • Adventures in English, Starter-Level. Contributing Writer. Menomonie, WI: International Network (1996).
  • Adventures in English, Multi-Level. Contributing Writer. Menomonie, WI: International Network (1994).
  • The Women of Riga: A Curriculum for Women in Ministry. Nordiska Bibelforening, Saffle, Sweden (1992).
  • A Guide for Women in Ministry. Nordiska Bibelforening. Saffle, Sweden (1991).

Articles

  • “In Pursuit of Motivational Strategies that Enhance Independent Learning.” With Mike Canning and Ryan Schultz. (Forthcoming)
  • “Mentoring in the Christian Academy.” With Hannah Markley. (Forthcoming)
  • “Invitation to Interaction: Fostering Oral Communication among Adult English Language Learners.” In English Teaching Professional. (July 2013). UK: Pavillion Publishing and Media Limited. With Mary Cerutti, Moriah Sharp and Lydia Guill. (Forthcoming)
  • “English for Bible and Theology: Understanding and Communicating Theology Across Cultural and Linguistic Barriers.” Teaching Theology and Religion.16:1 (January 2013). Blackwell Publishing, Ltd., 33-49. With Will Bankston.
  • “Perspectives and Trends on Education in Romania: A Country in Transformation.” International Journal of Humanities and Social Science. 2:12 (June 2012). NY: Centre for Promoting Ideas, 5-13. With Meghan Odsliv. 
  • “Who Lives in Your Neighborhood? A Principled Approach for Church-based ESL Ministry.” ALife. 147:5 (July 2012). Colorado Spring, CO: The Christian and Missionary Alliance, 14-16. With Kora Taube.
  • “Storytelling as a Bridge to Adult Language Learning.” Illinois TESOL-BE Newsletter. 38:4. Chicago, IL: DePaul University. With Beata Lasmanowicz, Carolyn LaCosse, and Anitra Shaw.
  • “Reflections on Educational Metaphors for Teaching English as a Second Language to Adult Learners.” PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning. 18:1 (February 2008). Indiana University of Pennsylvania, PA, 51-61. 

Book Reviews

  • “Expectations and Burnout: Women Surviving the Great Commission.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly. 47:1 (January 2011): 120-122. 
  • “Nurturing the Nations.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly. 45:1 (January 2009): 126-127. 
  • “Women and Leadership in the Baptist Convention of South Africa.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly. 42:3 (July 2006): 414-415 
  • “Daughters of Islam: Building Bridges with Muslim Women.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly. 39:2 (April 2003): 248-250.

Academic Papers and Presentations

  • “In Pursuit of Motivational Strategies that Enhance Independent Learning.” Academic Presentation. Naperville, Illinois: Illinois TESOL/BE 36th Annual Convention. With Mike Canning and Ryan Schultz. (2013).
  • “Motivating Adults to Become Autonomous Language Learners.” Academic Presentation. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Christian English Language Teachers Conference. With Meghan Odsliv. (2012).
  • “Contrastive Rhetoric: Exploring Cultural Influences and Classroom Applications.” Academic Presentation. Naperville, Illinois: Illinois TESOL/BE 35th Annual Convention. With Sara Vroom, Kara Sappington and Hannah Markley. (2012).
  • “Exploring Culture through Literature and the Visual Arts in the EFL Classroom.” Academic Presentation. Sofia, Bulgaria: New Bulgarian University. (2011)
  • “Culture and Poetry: Making Connections.” Academic Presentation. Chicago, IL: Moody Bible Institute. With Sarah Goertz. (2011)
  • “Invitation to Interaction: A Model for Adult ESL Learners.” Academic Presentation. Naperville, Illinois: Illinois TESOL/BE 34th Annual Convention. With Mary Cerutti, Lydia Guill, and Moriah Sharp. (2011)
  • “Dealing with Learner Errors in the Adult ESL Classroom.” Academic Presentation. Naperville, Illinois: Illinois TESOL/BE 33rd Annual Convention. With Mary Cerutti, Stacey Shepard, and Sarah Willing. (2010)
  • “Strategies for Teaching Culture to English Language Learners.” Academic Presentation.
    Boston, Massachusetts: Christian English Language Teachers Conference (2010).
  • “Exploring Theological English: A Focus on Theological Vocabulary.” Round Table Discussion. Boston, Massachusetts: Christian English Language Teachers Conference (2010)
  • “Tell Me a Story: Strategies for Adult ESL Learners.” Academic Presentation. Naperville, Illinois: Illinois TESOL/BE 33rd Annual Convention. With Beata Lasmanowicz, Carolyn LaCosse, and Anitra Shaw. (2009)
  • “Thinking Strategically about Theological English in the Majority World.” Academic Presentation. Denver, Colorado: Christian English Language Teachers Conference. (2009)
  • “Thinking Deeply About Culture Through Poetry and the Visual Arts.” Academic Presentation. Denver, Colorado: TESOL 43rd Annual Convention. With Alan Seaman. (2009)
  • “Facilitating Interaction in the Adult Church-Based ESL Program.” Plenary Presentation. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Cornerstone University ESL Ministry Conference. (2009)
  • “Tools and Techniques for Effective Interaction in the Church-Based ESL Classroom.”
    Grand Rapids, Michigan: Cornerstone University ESL Ministry Conference. With Becky Swab. (2009)
  • “Using Storytelling to Enhance Cross-Cultural Communication.” Academic Lecture. Mundelein, Illinois: University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary, Department of English for Academic Purposes. (2009)
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