Born in Berkeley, California, Katie grew up speaking English and learned French in school. She spent many years traveling abroad for her studies and personal passion of learning languages. Since 2008, Katie has taught English to both native and non-native students around the world before moving to Switzerland with her family in 2013.
 

Languages

Languages: native English speaker, advanced knowledge of French (C2 spoken) and working knowledge of German (B1 spoken)


Curriculum vitae

• B.A. (2004-2008) in English Literature and French Language from the University of California, Berkeley 
• Teaching Credential and M.A. in Teaching at St. Mary's College of California (2008-2010) 
• PhD in TESOL Education and language motivation (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from the University of Sydney, Australia (2012-2016) 
• High school English and French Teacher (2009-2011) in California 
• Exchange Teacher for JET program in Takasaki, Japan (2010-2011) Taught primary and middle school English
• Teaching Assistant at the University of Sydney, Australia (MA teaching program 2012-2013)
• Program Manager for the Young Swiss Learners (Lausanne 2016-2019)
• Language Consultant and English teacher (Fribourg 2019-2022)
• Private lesson and group lesson English / French teacher (ILS Aarau 2022-2023)
• Lecturer at UZH and ETH Zurich (2023-present)
   

Publications and academic writing

Bokan-Smith, K. E. (2015). A mixed methods study of motivational teaching strategies in the ESL classroom in Australia (Doctoral dissertation).

Bokan-Smith, K.E. (2013). Motivating the unmotivated. English teaching professional, (88), 19-20.

Bokan, Smith, K.E, (2011). Seminar review of “Learning Logs: Streamlining Curriculum and Promoting Higher Order Thinking”, CATESOL Annual Education Conference Vol42, No 1, Santa Clara, CA.

Bokan-Smith, K. E. (2010). Motivational Factors on Enrollment and Sustained Interest in High School French (master’s thesis, Saint Mary’s College of California).
 

Conference presentations

2014
International TESOL research conference: Psychology for Language Learning Conference: Graz, Austria

• Title of presentation: Investigating ESL teachers’ claims and students’ reports on motivational strategies in Australia

2013
Annual TESOL Colloquium: Sydney University, Australia

• Title of presentation: Investigating how adult English language teachers in Australia perceive and self-evaluate motivational teaching practices

2013
TESOL Vietnam Conference: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

• Title of presentation: Investigating motivational teaching strategies and teacher self-evaluation in adult English language classrooms in Australia

2013
2^nd Research Students Forum, Sydney University, Australia

• Title of presentation: Theory into practice: Investigating teacher practices, perceptions of motivation and self-evaluation in adult English language classrooms in Australia

2012
1^st Research Students Forum: University of Sydney, Australia

• Title of presentation: Theory into Practice: An observational investigation of students’ perceptions of teaching strategies and teachers’ motivational decisions in adult ESL classrooms in Australia

Awards

2012-2015
International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS)
University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

2012-2015
Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)
University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

2009
Robert Power Fellowship Recipient
Kalmonovitz School of Education, Saint Mary's College of California

2006
H.W. Hill Award
English Department, University of California, Berkeley

Current activities at the Language Center

Language Center of UZH and ETH Zurich – English Lecturer

Esperto di Lingua at the Scuola Cantonale di Commercio, Bellinzona


Current academic interests

Intercultural communication, working with scientific researchers on publication writing, academic writing skills, one-on-one coaching, second language motivation and developing practical and effective teaching strategies.
 

Personal passions

Spending time in nature with my family, skiing, hiking, teaching English, speaking French, traveling to new places, learning languages, and reading books.