In this episode of PEPTalks, host Dr. Amy Graham is joined by Alona Kladieva to discuss her love of languages, teaching English as a second language both here and abroad, and her experiences as a graduate student from Ukraine during times of war. Throughout the episode, Alona shares her journey, offering insights into language instruction and the transformative power of education. From discussing innovative teaching methodologies to the importance of cultural sensitivity in language learning, Alona provides invaluable advice for both educators and learners alike.

Alona is a first-year Ph.D. student in Second Language Acquisition at the University of Arizona. She is also the Co-Chair of the Curriculum and Assessment Team (CAT) where she revises and revamps student learning outcomes in the Foundation Writing Program at the university.