John Brender
Director, Center for Student Global Engagement, and ESL Instructor, Office of International Programs
(313) 577-3035
197 Manoogian
906 W. Warren
Detroit, MI 48201
Media
John Brender
Dr. John Brender is Director of the Center for Student Global Engagement and an English language instructor for the Office of International Programs. Professionally dedicated to language and cultural education, he has taught Spanish, Japanese, linguistics, foreign-language teaching methods, and English as a second language. He has also presented multiple lectures on cross-cultural communication in China and the U.S. His research has focused on international and ethnic student identity and values at North American universities and on North American experiences abroad. Dr. Brender is actively involved with the Great Lakes Chinese Consortium, an online source for Chinese language and cultural learning, of which he is a co-founding member. His recent book, "Millennial Expats in China: Experiences and Observations", explores personal transformations while providing a deep understanding about China and Chinese culture. Between 2008 and 2021, Dr. Brender served as Director of the Confucius Institute at Wayne State University.
Research interest(s)/area of expertise
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International student development at American universities
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North American experiences abroad.
Education
- Confucius Institute Directors' Training Certificate, Xiamen, China, 2014
- Ph.D. Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education, Michigan State University, 2006
- B.A. Spanish, Hope College, 1984
- M.A. Community College Administration, Chicago State University, 1998
- M.A. Romance linguistics, University of Michigan, 1988
Awards and grants
Individual Performance Excellence Award, granted by Hanban: The Office of Chinese Language Council International, December 2015.
Selected publications
Book:
Brender, J. (2021) Millennial Expats in China: Experiences and Observations.
Brender, J. (2008). Japanese College Students in the U.S.: Identities and Values, Saarbruchen, Germany: VDM Verlag Dr. Muller.
Articles:
Brender, J., Pinnamaneni, V., Kandagatla, P. (2009). Indian Identity. Michigan Journal of College Student Development, Spring/Summer 2009, Vol. 14, No. 1.pp. 1-7.
Brender, J., Hermiz, D., & Karmo, S. (2008). Chaldean-American Undergraduate Identites, and Values. The Michigan Journal of College Student Development, Spring/Summer 2008, Vo. 13, No. 1, pp. 1-7
Dirkx, J., Jessup Anger, J. E., Brender, J.R., Gwekwerere, B. and Smith, R.O. Beyond Culture Shock: The Meaning of Affect and Emotions in International Educational Experience. Presented at the 2006 Midwest Research-to-Practice Conference, University of Missouri-St. Louis, October 5, 2006.
Brender, J. (1996). Effects of Homework Completion on Test Scores in First and Second-Semester Spanish Courses at a University with Liberal Admissions, ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. 395-452. December, 1996.
Doctoral Dissertation
Brender, J (2006). Japanese Undergraduates at an American University: Acculturation Identity, Cultural Identity, and Values. Doctoral dissertation, Michigan State University.
Other qualifications directly relevant to courses taught
Selected Presentations
Tips for Teaching a Foreign Language. Presented at the School of Foreign Languages at Huazhong
University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, December 10, 2017.
Chinese Etiquette. Presented at Schoolcraft College, Phi Beta Kappa Chapter, Livonia, Michigan,
December 5, 2017.
Tips for Learning a Foreign Language, Presented at Schoolcraft College, Livonia, Michigan,
November 14, 2017.
The “Learn a Chinese Phrase” Video Series and Mobile Application. Presented at the 3rd Online
Chinese Teaching Forum and Workshop, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan,
October 27, 2017.6
Creating a Cyber Education Series for Beginning Learners of Chinese. Presented at the 11th Annual
World Conference for Confucius Institutes, Kunming, China, December 6, 2016.
Teaching English in the Chinese Countryside: Annual workshop presented at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China for participants in the Summer Service Learning Program in Rural China, July 2012, July 2013, July 2014, July 2015, July 2016.
The Immersion Obstacle Course: Creating an “Aha” Moment. Presented at the 10th Annual World Conference for Confucius Institutes, Shanghai, China, December 6, 2015.
Cross-Cultural Communication : a series of presentations for students at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, July 2013, July 2014, July 2015, December 2015.
Chinese, Koreans & Japanese: Some Cultural Comparisons. Presented at the US Attorney’s Office of Eastern Michigan, Detroit, Michigan, May, 2015.
Learn a Chinese Phrase: The Mobile Application. Presented at the 9th Annual World Conference for Confucius Institutes, Xiamen, Fujian, China. December 7, 2014.
Where the Twain Meet: At the Crossroads of Chinese and American Culture. Presented to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan, May 2014; and to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Detroit, February 2014.
The "Learn a Chinese Phrase" Video Series: Learning Chinese from Idioms . Presented at the 8th Annual World Conference for Confucius Institutes, Beijing, China, December 7, 2013.
Language and Cultural Videos Produced by the Wayne State Confucius Institute: Presented at the Fifth Annual Conference for the Chinese Language Association of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan, November 3, 2012.
Implementing a Successful Language and Culture-Based Quiz Bowl. Presented at the 2012 Michigan World Language Association, Lansing, Michigan, October 25, 2012.
Hi Donie! Mnemonic Devices for Teaching the Subjunctive and other Aspects of Spanish. Presented at the 2012 Michigan World Language Association, Lansing, Michigan, October 25, 2012.
Learning from Learners: How Successful Students Study Chinese. Presented at the Fourth Annual Conference for the Chinese Language Association of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan, November 5, 2011.