Guanajuato, Gto., October 17, 2018.- Professor Patricia Marie Anne Houde of the Department of Languages of the Division of Social Sciences and Humanities, earned the degree of doctorate in education from McGill University, considered one of the best 100 universities in the world, according to the International rankings (QS World Ranking, #32 in 2018).

The thesis presented by Dr. Houde is titled "Professional Development for reflective practice via a collective accompaniment model with Mexican English as a Foreign Language teachers". The project addresses the role of reflective practice using a collaborative model of collective accompaniment with ESL/EFL teachers who have completed a bachelor's degree in English language teaching from the Department of Languages at the University of Guanajuato (UG).

In her thesis, Dr. Houde proposes a new framework for analysis on reflective practice. The research served to support teachers and guide the process of collective reflection on teacher practice with English teachers in the state of Guanajuato, to find ways to adjust and improve the teaching of English as a foreign language.

It is worth mentioning that the project was approved by the Department of Public Education, through the program for the Professional Development of teachers (PRODEP). The presentation of the defense was attended by Dr. Caroline Riches of McGill University and Dr. Suzanne Guillemette of the University of Sherbrooke, both directors of the titling work.

The members of the jury of the oral defense were Dr. Mela Sarkar, Dr. Susan Ballinger, Dr. Alain Breuleux, Dr. Caroline riches, and Dr. Marta Kobiela, all from McGill University, who commented on and asked about the methodological aspects of the work presented, inviting Dr. Houde to continue the same line of research.

Dr. Houde studied her PhD in educational studies in Language Acquisition at McGill University's Department of Integrated Studies in education, as well as her master's degree in teaching (maîtrise at enseignement au Secondaire-Anglais langue seconde) and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Sherbrooke, both universities located in Quebec, Canada.

Dr. Houde is currently developing a research project to form a new group on reflective collective practice with English teachers who have graduated from the English teaching degree. Together with his academic body, composed by the professors: Dra. Krisztina Zimányi and Dr. Kenneth Geoffrey Richter of the Department of Languages, they organize academic events LECTure Series/Lectures LECT (language-education-culture-transformation).

As part of these activities, on November 16th, Dr. Lynn Thomas, from the University of Sherbrooke, will receive a lecture in the Department of Languages on reflection in teacher practice for teachers who are in training. This is expected to lead to the creation of an international collaborative research group with Dr. Thomas and other Canadian university scholars, principally.