Travel through languages at our Human Library!

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, French

Elena is a first-generation Canadian who was raised speaking Spanish at home. She was enrolled early in French Immersion and learned English in the community. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed the advantages of Canada’s linguistic policies, which have supported and nurtured her multilingualism.

Today, she is the Director of the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute and the Director of the Language Acquisition Research Laboratory. Her research focuses on language acquisition, bilingualism, and heritage languages in the Canadian context. She examines the processes underlying the development of second languages as well as heritage and immigrant languages.

Languages spoken: English, French, Italian

As a French as a Second Language professor, Laura is interested in both the theoretical and practical aspects of languages learning and teaching. Accredited as an evaluator and instrutor for the DELF/DALF diplomas, she also contributes to the development of educational materials. In her teaching and research, she focuses on community-based learning and the expansion of international language teaching programs in Canada, in line with the multilingual and multicultural approaches promoted by the Centre Européen des Langues Vivantes (CELV), an organization attached to the Council of Europe.

Languages spoken: English, French, German, Spanish

Joerg Esleben grew up in Cologne, Germany, where he studied English, French, and Spanish in high school. He expanded his knowledge of English during an exchange year in the USA in 11th grade. He then studied English literature and a bit of Russian language during his undergraduate years at Cologne University before going to the University of Rochester in New York State for his graduate studies in comparative literature. For personal reasons, he learned some Tamil during this time. Since taking up a job as professor of German and intercultural studies at the University of Ottawa in 2004, Joerg has reactivated and built on his high school French and is currently trying to do the same for his Spanish.

Languages spoken: English, French, Cantonese

Samantha is Canadian-born Chinese and speaks English, French, and Cantonese. As a multidisciplinary artist, she navigates the complexities of human experience, seeking to find meaning through literature and authentic expression.

Currently, she is working on her MA thesis titled Negotiating Identity in Generation 1.5 Undergraduates in Canada: Exploring the Influence of the Digitized Social World. Marrying the worlds of academia and art, she brings a unique perspective to her work, exploring identity, language, culture, and the digital landscape.

Languages spoken: English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Latin

Kristina has been an active language learner and multilingualism advocate her whole life. Born in Montreal and raised in Toronto by Eastern European parents, Kristina attended one of the first early French Immersion schools in Ontario and continued her language acquisition journey in her high school and university years, picking up German, Brazilian Portuguese, Latin and Spanish. 

After completing a Master's in Education and spending almost 20 years teaching English to international students at YorkU, Kristina is now working on a 2nd Masters in Bilingualism Studies and works at OLBI as a Senior Advisor, Program Management supporting language programs for uOttawa professors and administrative staff.

Languages spoken: French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, German

Originally from Colombia, Cindy holds a Bachelor's degree (Bac+5) in Didactics of Foreign Languages (French and English) from the University of Antioquia in Colombia, and a Master's degree in International Cultural Strategies from the Institut National Universitaire Champollion in France. She recently graduated from the Master of Arts in Bilingual Studies program at uOttawa.

She speaks Spanish, French and English, and has a basic command of Portuguese and German. Cindy has been teaching French for 17 years. 

Languages spoken: French, English, Spanish, Catalan, German, Italian

Olga Salcedo Moliner works at the Education Office of the Spanish Embassy in Canada.

She is an educational advisor and manages educational programs such as Spanish teacher training, Visiting Professors, ISA (International Spanish Academies), NALCAP (North American Conversation Assistants), and Spanish conversation assistants. She is also in charge of communication and social media.

Olga speaks Spanish, Catalan, French (having been a language school teacher for over 20 years), English, German, and Italian.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Irish

Clíodhna Ní Chorráin teaches Irish Language & Culture in the University of Ottawa. Clíodhna is from Belfast in Ireland. As a travel-lover, she has lived previously in Spain and the USA. She speaks Spanish and is keen to learn other languages - in particular French and Arabic! She plays Irish traditional music, sings and teaches dance. As an activist, Clíodhna spends a lot of time campaigning for human rights worldwide, including language rights in the north of Ireland.

Languages spoken: French, English, Arabic, Kabyle

Dyhia is a Kabyle Algerian from the Amazigh people of North Africa. Her name honors the legendary queen, La Kahena, symbolizing courage and wisdom.

Dyhia holds a bachelor's degree in Sustainable Tourism Management and a master's degree in Tourism Business Management from the École Nationale Supérieure du Tourisme in Algiers, and she worked in the field for three years.

Today, she is studying at the University of Ottawa to become a teacher, a childhood dream she pursues with passion.

For the past year, she has been leading conversation workshops for French learners at the Julien Couture Resource Centre.

Languages spoken: French, English, German, Bulgarian, Spanish

Originally, Valérie Drake built her career around language didactics, project management, and educational sciences. This led her to undertake various linguistic and educational cooperation missions in Cameroon, Scotland, and Denmark, serving the French cultural network abroad.

After a period at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in Paris, where she was in charge of educational and school matters, Valérie was appointed as Attaché for Cultural and Educational Cooperation in Florida. There, she was responsible for cultural, academic, and educational cooperation in Florida and Puerto Rico. She was then appointed to Bulgaria, where she was Deputy Cultural Advisor.

Finally, just before joining the team at the Embassy of France in Canada in September 2023, Valérie spent two years at the Agency for French Education Abroad in Paris.

Languages spoken: English, French, Anishnaabemowin

Throughout her personal and professional life, Tareyn continues to learn and draw inspiration from the world around her. She seeks guidance and finds strength in her culture, as a member of the Georgina Island First Nation, and in the land. She has worked in Indigenous education and services, dedicating herself to improving the postsecondary experience for Indigenous students and staff through consensus-based decision-making and community consultation.

She developed a three-year Indigenization Plan for Georgian College, which was integrated into the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, and an Indigenous Action Plan for the University of Ottawa, which is referenced in the 2030 Transformation Strategic Plan.

She provides leadership to Indigenous Affairs and Senior Administration to improve services and develop new initiatives. Dedicated to the integration of Indigenous communities into university life, she actively participates in the Indigenous Education Council and the Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs.