Dr. Banat is an assistant professor at Rafik Hariri University, College of Arts & Sciences. She obtained her Ph.D. in TEFL from the Lebanese University, Doctoral School of Literature, Humanities & Social Sciences. Her teaching experience combined with her course work and research background allowed her to teach at a variety of universities at all levels in the field of English language and education. Ever since 2008, she’s been teaching a wide variety of courses, including English as a Foreign Language (all levels), English Composition & Rhetoric, Business Communication, Technical Communication, Creative Writing, and a variety of elective courses.

Her main research interests are in technology-enhanced language learning and teacher development. She is a strong advocate of student-centered instruction and self-directed learning. Dr. Banat has published and presented in national and international conferences and conducted various national and international workshops on Technology Enhanced Learning, Exploratory Practice, Learning Styles, Portfolio Assessment, and Autonomy in writing.

EDUCATION

• PhD. in TEFL (2020), Lebanese University - Doctoral School of Literature & Humanities & Social Sciences 
• M.A. in TEFL (2007), Lebanese University, Faculty of pedagogy
• T.D. in TEFL (1996), American University of Beirut 
• B.A. in English Literature (1995), American University of Beirut

PROFESSIONAL INTEREST

• TELL (Technology Enhanced Language Learning)
• Curriculum Development
• Teacher Development (pre-service and in-service)
• Models of Effective Instruction

MEMBERSHIPS

• MIDDLE EAST NORTH AFRICA WRITING CENTER ALLIANCE [MENAWCA].
• TESOL International Association- Lebanon
• International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language [IATEFL]- U.K.
• iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) – Lebanon
• Specialized Technical Committees at the Ministry of Education & Higher Education- Lebanon
• Ijaz Forum in Quran & Sunnah – Lebanon.

HONORS AND MENTIONS

• Recipient of the Teacher Training Award, Center for Research and Training, 2008
• Recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award, Hariri High School II, 2007

SELECT ACHIEVEMENTS

• “Methods of Teaching Language Arts at the Elementary School”, Lebanese Educational Agency for Development in the Arab Region (LeadAr), Lebanon. Teaching Diploma Program: 3-credit course; 12 sessions; 1.5 hours each; total of 18 hours.
• “Helping Students Evaluate Their Progress As Readers & Writers Through The Use of Portfolios & Performance Assessment”, Center for Research & Training - Hariri High School II, Lebanon
• “Autonomy & Learning Styles in Language Learning”; Center for Research & Training - Hariri High School II, Lebanon

PUBLICATIONS

• Banat, M. (2018). Promoting Autonomy in Writing Through cooperative learning for Grade 10 Students Grouped According to Their Learning Styles. (Master’s thesis). Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
• Banat, M. (2016). Empowering Learners’ Autonomy through the Exploratory Practice. ICERI, 0688–0692. doi: 978-84-617-5895-1

CONTRIBUTIONS

Presenter @:

• 2019: The 53rd IATEFL: International Association for Teachers of English As A Foreign Language Conference, UK
• 2019: The Conference of Higher Education Systems in The Arab World, Rafik Hariri University, Lebanon
• 2019: The 6th Biennial MENAWCA: International English Language Teaching Conference, Middle East- North Africa Writing Center Alliance Conference, Lebanese American University, Lebanon
• 2019: The 6th Annual Symposium on The Teaching of Writing, Rafik Hariri University & American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2019: The 9th International Conference on Effective Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2018: The 8th International Conference on Effective Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2018: The 5th ATINER: Annual International Conference on Social Sciences, Athens Institute for Education and Research, Greece
• 2017: “E-Learning Training Event”, Librairie du Liban Publishers, Lebanon
• 2016: The 9th ICERI: International Conference of Education, Research & Innovation, Seville, Spain
• 2016: The 16th MENAWCA: International English Language Teaching Conference, Middle East- North Africa Writing Center Alliance Conference, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

• 2019: “The Teaching of Writing”, Rafik Hariri University, Lebanon
• 2019: The Research Pre-Conference Event, IATEFL, UK
• 2019: The 53rd Annual International IATEFL Conference & Exhibition, UK
• 2019: "Effective Teaching & Learning in Higher Education”, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
  • 2019: “Resilience through Reconstruction”, Lebanese American University, Lebanon
• 2018: “Effective Teaching & Learning in Higher Education”, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2017: “Learning for Success”, Pearson Publishers, Lebanon
• 2017: “E-Learning Training Event”, Librairie du Liban Publishers, Lebanon
• 2016: ICERI: International Conference of Education, Research & Innovation, Seville, Spain
• 2016: “Creative Writing & Performance”, Rafik Hariri University, Lebanon
  • 2016: “Easy e-Portfolios Using Google Sites”, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman
  • 2016: “Teaching for Learning Transfer & Long-term Language Development in English Language Classrooms”, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman
• 2016: “Creative Writing & Performance”, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2016: “Effective Teaching & Learning in Higher Education”, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2014: “Teaching English through Fun Activities”, University Saint Joseph of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2011: “Multiple Perceptual Frames on English Language Teaching & Research”, Arab Open University, Lebanon
• 2007: “Assessment & Evaluation in English Language Teaching”, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2005: “Implementing the Learning Together Model of Cooperative Learning in Teaching English & Other Languages”, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2004: “Making Better Readers Today for Better Learning Tomorrow”, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 2000: “Teaching English for Middle & High School”, Lebanese University, Lebanon
• 1999: “Teaching Reading in The Intermediate & Secondary School”, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• 1998: “Teaching English for Middle & High School”, Lebanese University, Lebanon