Associate Professor of French and Spanish
University Hall 3123
(205) 934-4652
Research and Teaching Interests: Spanish, French, Foreign cultures, Foreign language pedagogy, Foreign language methods (classroom instruction), Teacher development, Technology in the foreign language classroom
Office Hours: By appointment
Education:
- BS, University of Alabama, Secondary Education
- MA, University of Alabama, Romance Languages
- PhD, University of Alabama, Foreign Language Education
Get to know Krista Chambless Opens an external link.
UAB Scholars Profile Opens an external link.
I am a native Alabamian, having grown up in Huntsville, and now live in Tuscaloosa with my family. My passion is teaching. I come from a long line of teachers beginning with my great-grandmother who taught in a one room schoolhouse in rural Alabama. Since then, there have been teachers in every generation of my family. Growing up I knew I was destined to be a teacher; I understood the powerful influence that teachers can have on their students. I became a world language teacher because of a wonderful French teacher I had in high school. I fell in love with language learning and became inspired to learn not only the language but the culture. It has always been my mission to help students fall in love with other languages and cultures. I have taught languages at all levels from preschool through graduate school. At UAB I teach both French and Spanish language courses, as well as world language methodologies to pre-service teachers. Most recently I created a first-year experience course for the new Blazer Core Curriculum which focuses on how students can leverage their language skills to provide more career opportunities. Currently, I am the coordinator for the Introductory Spanish program (SPA 101,102, 201). In this position, I have been able to create a proficiency-based program in which students demonstrate what they can do with language. I feel very blessed to be able to share my love of languages and cultures with my students.
My research focuses on the teaching of world languages, specifically the use of the target language (i.e. the language being taught) in the classroom. I have published several articles on teacher language proficiency as well as a book chapter entitled Target Language Comprehensibility in the Language Classroom in the edited volume The Handbook of Research on World Language Instruction. Tied to my research on language proficiency is my work of the Alabama State Seal of Biliteracy and the Global Seal of Biliteracy. These programs provide a credential that verifies one’s language skills in two or more languages. UAB was the first university in the state to award the Global Seal of Biliteracy in 2020. Since then, I worked to launch a testing site at UAB for anyone in the state of Alabama which launched in 2024.
As a language teacher, I understand the importance of maintaining my language skills and learning about/experiencing new cultures. Thus, I have traveled extensively to Spain, France, Mexico, Panama and Quebec. I also take students to study abroad whenever I have the opportunity.
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Recent Courses
- SPA 101: Introductory Spanish I
- SPA 102: Introductory Spanish II
- SPA 201: Intermediate Spanish I
- SPA 202: Intermediate Spanish II
- SPA 206: Intermediate Spanish for the Professions
- FR 101: Introductory French I
- FR 102: Introductory French II
- FLL 120: Foreign Cultures
- EHS 611: Advanced Special Methods for Teaching Foreign Languages
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Select Publications
Chambless, K. & Huhn, C. (forthcoming) Target language comprehensibility in the language classroom. In V. Russell, K. Murphy-Judy, F. Troyan, A. Moeller, & K. Hines-Gaither (Eds), The Handbook of Research on World Language Instruction. Routledge.
Brannen, E. Russell, V, & Chambless, K. (2024) An Examination of World Language Teacher Practices Regarding Instructional Delivery in the Target Language. Dimensions, 59, p. 121-145.
Chambless, K. (2023). Connecting with GenZ in the Classroom and Beyond, American Association of Teachers of French National Bulletin, 49 (1), p. 25-26.
Chambless, K., Moser, K. & Hope, S. (2022). Teacher Training and Online Teaching: Bridging the Gap, In Swanson, P. & Leloup, J (Eds), Effective Online Language Teaching in a Disruptive Environment. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7720-2.
Chambless, K. & Hope, S. (2022). Language Immersion: A WILD Idea, American Association of Teachers of French National Bulletin, 47 (3), p. 21-22.
Huhn, C., Bell, T. & Chambless, K. (2021). Issues in World Language Teacher Preparation: ACTL/CAEP Standards and Oral Proficiency, Foreign Language Annals, 54(1).
Moser, K., Chambless, K., Miller, N. (2020). Creating a Virtual Space in World Language Education? Considerations for Practice-Based Rehearsals”, Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 28(4).
Chambless, K. (2018). Preparing Students for Online Language Learning, Innovation in Language Learning and Technology Conference Proceedings, Firenze, Italy.
Chambless, K. (2018) A Review of “Understanding the World Languages edTPA: Research-Based Policy and Practice”, Hispania, 101 (3), 472-474.
Hope, S. & Chambless, K.S. (2016) Practical Aspects of Courts Métrages in the French Classroom, Selected Proceedings for the 2015 AATF National Conference, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada.
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Academic Distinctions and Professional Societies
2024 The J. David Edwards Power of Advocacy Award
Awarded by the Joint National Committee for Languages- National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS) for extraordinary leadership of local, state and national advocacy initiatives that contribute to the JNCL-NCLIS mission and serve to expand access to languages other than English. Presented February 27, 2024, at Language Advocacy Days.
2023 AATSP Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award College and University Level
Awarded by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese at its annual conference in Salamanca, Spain, June 2023.
2022 ACTFL/CALICO Distance Learning SIG Award for Excellence in Online Teaching
Awarded by ACTFL and CALICO at its conference in Boston, Nov. 2022.
2022 Best of Alabama Presentation
Awarded by the Alabama World Language Association for the best conference presentation. The presentation is given at the Southern Conference on Language Teaching in March of 2023.
2021 ACTFL Wilga Rivers Award for Leadership in World Language Education (Postsecondary)
Awarded by ACTFL at its virtual conference in Nov. 2021. https://youtu.be/0q7DLUjzu3o
2013 Educator of Excellence, Post-Secondary
Awarded by The Southern Conference of Language Teachers at its 2013 Annual Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. Award chosen from of nominees submitted by the 14-member states. Award notification stated Committee selection of Recipient was unanimous.
2013 Alabama Educator of Excellence, Post-Secondary
Awarded by the Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers at its 2013 Annual Conference. -
Professional Associations
Immediate Past President of the Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT)
Alabama Delegate to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
Founder and Executive Director of Alabama World Languages Education Foundation
Member of the ACTFL Research Committee
Member of the Standards Review Committee for the Council on the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)