I first met Dave Hopkins on the SIT campus in Brattleboro, Vermont in 1978. He was working on a project to develop language teaching materials, under a grant to SIT from the Peace Corps. I was immediately impressed by the verve with which he embraced this challenge. Over the years since, he has maintained this same level of enthusiasm and interest in language teaching and teacher training, whether it be in Japan or Thailand, Saudi Arabia or Pakistan.

Dave has always been good about keeping me informed about what he is up to and about his latest professional reading. He does not just tell me what he has read; he tells me what he has found intriguing. For instance, after reading my co-authored complex systems book, he asked “What are the connections between thought concepts and the generative processes of a non linear, dynamical and adaptive language system?” Right after my grammaring book was published, he wrote “I used some of these ideas yesterday in a Cert class on writing.” These comments speak miles to me about his professional commitment. I really admire the way that he grapples with ideas and considers them in light of his forty years of experience in the classroom.

One might expect someone with Dave’s experience and accomplishments to rest on his laurels. Instead, Dave is always seeking to push beyond what he knows. He remains open and questing, a model of professionalism and an inspiration to others who know him.

Diane Larsen-Freeman
Research Scientist, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Professor of Linguistics, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Professor of Education, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Distinguished Senior Faculty Fellow
School for International Training
Brattleboro, VERMONT

2012 ESL MiniConference Online