Dr Karen Woodman has over 30 years of experience as university professor in Canada, the USA and Australia, with expertise in world languages, cultures and history, as well as online teaching and learning, TESOL, and teacher education. She is an experienced and entertaining cruise enrichment and destination speaker who enjoys sharing her love of adventure and communication to inspire and motivate passengers. Karen has published works on subjects including teaching, culture, managing diversity, the use of technology to learn, and issues in lifelong learning, and has held numerous positions on national and international committees in her field.

An avid tango and social dancer, Karen also enjoys sharing her knowledge of tango and Latin dance cultures around the world, including the physical and psychological benefits of social dance, and the mind-body connection between language, culture and dance. Her presentations offer insights on topics of history, culture, language, food and dance as they relate to the cruise destinations to enrich passenger experience, including connections between language, history, food and dance.

Karen has traveled extensively, including North and South America, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean, Cuba, Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, and South-East Asia. She is experienced in creating presentations and workshops that reflect and enhance each individual cruise itinerary.

Also see:

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/karen-woodman-a2688745
Eprints: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/view/person/Woodman,_Karen.html
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen_Woodman/

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DESTINATION LECTURES

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My destination lectures typically focus on destination ports, with an underlying theme to connect and inspire guests, such as: the unique cuisine(s) of the region; the music and dance traditions of the region; and/or the language and linguistic histories of the region (including basic survival language phrases as appropriate).

Some examples are listed below.

Theme 1: Culture, history and geography through exploration of local cuisines
Okinawa: Land of the Ancients - Why does Okinawa have more centenarians? Is it the food, culture, lifestyle, history? We'll explore what it is about Okinawa that makes it 'the land of the Ancients'.

Singapore: Laksa and life: Exploring the history of Singapore through its most famous dish, the spicy soup, laksa, we'll discuss the unique fusions of cultures, languages and cuisines which came together to create this dynamic city state.

Theme 2: Food, dance, music and history
Salsa and salsa: This presentation explores the history of Eastern Mexico through the lens of the mix of Spanish and indigenous cultures which created the music and food we now know.

The real history of Chocolate: This presentation explores the history of the ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures through the history of chocolate.

The City of Angels: This presentation explores Los Angeles through the lens of the mix of show business, cultures, languages, and cuisines which have made LA one of the most innovative destinations in the US.

Two to tango: This presentation explores the history of Argentina through the lens of the mix of European and indigenous languages, cultures and musical traditions which created the passion of Argentine tango.

Theme 3: Exploring the relationship between languages, history and culture

Crossing the Line: Myths and Rituals of the Sea: This presentation explores the history, myths and language related to the crossing of significant nautical milestones like the Date Line and the Equator. [Crossing the International Date Line and/or Equator]

The Europe of the Americas: Exploring the diverse languages and cultures of the Pacific North West: This presentation explores the complex linguistic and cultural history of the Pacific North West through the lens of the diverse indigenous cultures and languages of Alaska, including the impact of the Gold Rush and northern immigration.

Theme 4: Exploring ports through history, language, art and culture
Exploring Athens and the Greek Islands: This presentation explores the exciting and historical ports of Athens, Rhodes and Santorini, with a focus on key destinations, and unique culinary, cultural and other adventures.

A taste of Italy: This presentation explores the exciting and historical ports of Naples and Rome, with a focus on key destinations, and unique culinary, cultural and other adventures.

Retracing the Spice Route This presentation provides an introduction to the myths and reality of the cultures, languages and peoples that make up the country we know today as Indonesia.

Apa kabar: This presentation explores some of the unique language phenomena in some of the languages of the Indonesian archipelago.

It's even hotter in Bali: This presentation explores some of the unique cuisines of the Indonesian archipelago.

There be dragons: This presentation explores some of the unique fauna and flora of the Indonesian archipelago, including the famous Komodo dragon.

My Bali: A personal reflection: This presentation reflects on the experiences and perceptions of the presenter's year as a volunteer in Bali. [Port: Komodo, Indonesia]

Street art around the world: If the walls could talk: This presentation explores the roles of street art around the world (including graffiti, murals and other public art) based on the presenter's extensive collection of photographs

Theme 5: Survival language
Survival French: This presentation provides guests with basic ‘survival’ French for their upcoming port visit, including introduction to language and other travel apps which help them have a great visit.

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ENRICHMENT LECTURES

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My enrichment lectures typically focus on issues such as language, language learning, music, dance, culture, education, career development and life long learning, while also reflecting the key ports and destinations of the cruise.

Some examples are listed below.

Theme 1: Exploring language, language learning and culture:
Everything you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask. These presentations explore origins of language and languages, the connection between language and cultures, and explores how we learn and use language, with a particular focus on the languages and cultures of the destination ports: including Europe, the South Pacific, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and the Middle East.

What is language?: This presentation explores both the myths and reality of the origins of language. What is language? How do languages work?

What does it mean to know a language?: This presentation explores the both the myths and reality of theories of how language and language(s) are similar and different in structure, sound and use, and what it really means to know a language.

Do languages change over time?: This presentation explores both the myths and reality of how languages change over time, with examples from a number of *South Pacific languages showing the relationship between the many cultures of this area. [*or related destination languages and cultures]

What is the difference between spoken and written language?: This presentation explores both the myths and reality of differences between spoken and written language, including the origins of writing, an introduction to the history of written languages, with examples of the many different scripts which have been developed around the world.

What is the connection between language and culture?: This presentation explores both the myths and reality of how languages and cultures are connected, with examples from linguistic and cultural concepts in different *South Pacific languages. [*or related destination languages and cultures]

Do women and men use language differently?: This presentation explores both the myths and reality of gender-based language use in different cultural and language contexts.

Dos and Taboos: How gestures and body language influence communication cross-culturally: This presentation explores both the myths and reality of the ‘hidden dimensions’ of language and communication, including gestures, body language, personal space, and even how we dress.

How do children learn languages?: This presentation explores both the myths and reality of first, or child, language acquisition, including discussions of developmental versus language-specific stages.

How do we learn additional languages?: This presentation explores both the myths and reality of second or additional language acquisition. What does it mean to know a second language? Does learning additional languages have positive benefits to children and adults?

Can new technologies help us learn language(s)?: This presentation explores both the myths and reality of the use of new technologies to learn second or additional languages, by exploring different apps, technologies, and websites to help match the best technologies to tasks (or learning activities and goals).

Life long learning: This presentation explores recent research on the importance of learning throughout the lifespan, including the cognitive benefits of learning and travelling throughout life. Ideas and resources for continuing education are presented and discussed.

Solo travel for women: This presentation explores the opportunities, benefits and challenges for women travelling solo at every age.

Enrichment and Destination lecturer experience:

1) Workshops on Argentine tango (Sea Princess, Sydney to Santiago; January 11-Feb 3, 2017)
2) Destination lectures relating local food to destinations (RC Mariner of the Seas, Shanghai to Singapore; September 1-10, 2017)
3) Enrichment lectures related to language and culture (RC Explorer of the Seas, Sydney to New Caledonia to Sydney; March 5-12, 2018)
4) Enrichment lectures related to language and culture (RC Voyager of the Seas, Sydney to New Caledonia and Vanuatu to Sydney, April 5-16, 2018)
5) Enrichment lectures related to language and culture (RC Radiance of the Seas, Sydney to Honolulu; April 17-May 4, 2018)
6) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (NCL Jewel, Tokyo to Seattle; May 6-26, 2018)
7) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (Sea Princess, Sydney to Dubai; June 5-27, 2018)
8) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (RC Brilliance of the Seas, Amsterdam to Tampa; September 1-18, 2018)
9) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (RC Explorer of the Seas, Seattle to Sydney; October 5-26, 2018)
10) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (Sapphire Princess, Rome to Singapore; October 31–November 28, 2018)
11) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (Viking Orion, Auckland-Sydney; January 27-February 10, 2019)
12) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (Viking Orion, Sydney-Auckland; February 10-February 24, 2019)
13) Destination lectures related to ports and culture (NCL Sun, Buenos Aires to Miami; March 4- April 1, 2019)
14) Enrichment lectures related to Cuba and Cuban culture (RC Empress of the Seas, Miami-Havana-Miami; April 1-6, 2019)
15) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (Sea Princess, Honolulu to Sydney; April 23-May 14, 2019)
16) Destination lectures related to ports and culture (RC Voyager of the Seas, Hong Kong - Japan - Hong Kong; July 12-21, 2019)
17) Destination enrichment lectures related to Japan and Korea (Azamara Quest, Circle Japan + Busan, Korea, Tokyo to Tokyo, August 21-September 4)
18)Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (Diamond Princess, Japan, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, October 15-30, 2019)
19) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (Sun Princess, Fremantle to Singapore, November 1-13, 2019)
20) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Sea Princess, Brisbane to Papua New Guinea to Brisbane, December 8-19, 2019)
21) Enrichment lectures related to language and culture (RC Radiance of the Seas, Sydney to Sydney via New Caledonia and Vanuatu; December 27, 2019 - January 7, 2020).
22) Destination lectures related to language, ports and culture in South America (Silversea Silver Shadow, Lima, Peru to Buenos Aires, February 6, 2020 to February 26, 2020)
23) Destination lectures related to language, ports and culture in South America (Silversea Silver Shadow, Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro, February 26, 2020 to March 7, 2020)
24) Destination lectures related to language, ports and culture in South America (Silversea Silver Shadow, Rio de Janeiro to Fort Lauderdale, March 7 to March 27, 2020) - NOTE: Due to Covid 19 pandemic, this cruise actually ended in Recife, Brazil, with repatriation on March 20,2020).

RECENT CRUISES COMPLETED
25) Enrichment lectures as part of Carnival Cruise Academy of Fun program. (Carnival Splendor, Honolulu to Sydney AU, September 12-30, 2022).
26) Enrichment and destination lectures related to language, ports and culture (Grand Princess, Papeete to Auckland; October 15-25, 2022)
27) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (HAL Zuiderdam, Tonga to San Diego; October 27-November 17, 2022)
28) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (HAL Westerdam, Auckland to Sydney to Adelaide to Sydney, November 20-December, 6 2022)
29) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Majestic Princess, Sydney to South Pacific RT; December 8-21, 2022)
30) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Oceania Nautica, Cape Town RT, January 6-18, 2023)
31) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (HAL Zuiderdam, Papeete to Sydney, January 21-February 9, 2023)
32) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Celebrity Eclipse, Sydney to New Zealand RT, February 16-28, 2023)
33) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Cunard Queen Elizabeth, Fremantle to Singapore, March 7-17, 2023)
34) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Diamond Princess, Tokyo Return, April 20-April 29, 2023)
35) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Diamond Princess, Tokyo Return, April 29-May 7, 2023)
36) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Oceania Marina, Oslo to Southampton, July 1-11, 2023)
37) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Regal Princess, Southampton RT, August 12-24, 2023)
38) Destination lectures related to ports and culture (Oceania Riviera, Barcelona to Istanbul, November 19-29, 2023)
39) Destination lectures related to ports and culture (Oceania Riviera, Istanbul to Dubai, November 29-December 19, 2023)
40) Enrichment lectures related to language and culture (Oceania Regatta, Sydney to Auckland, February 8-24, 2024)
41) Enrichment lectures related to language, ports and culture (Fred.Olsen Borealis, Sydney to Singapore, February 26-March 14, 2024)
42) Academy of Fun Enrichment lectures related to destination and topic areas including Astronomy, Food, Photography, Social Media and Art. (Carnival Luminosa, trans-Pacific Crossing from Brisbane to Japan, April 1-18 2024).
43) Academy of Fun enrichment lectures related to destination and topic areas including Astronomy, Food, Photography, Social Media and Art. (Carnival Miracle, Los Angeles to Alaska (RT) April 21-May 5, 2024).
44) Destination lectures related to ports and Japanese culture. (Celebrity Millennium, Yokohama RT, including Busan, Korea, June 8-20, 2024).
45) Destination lectures related to ports and Japanese culture. (Celebrity Millennium, Yokohama RT, including Jeju Island, Korea, June 20-July 2, 2024).
46) Academy of Fun enrichment lectures related to destination and topic areas including Astronomy, Food, Photography, Social Media and Art. Also onboard Naturalist lecturing on topics such as Unique Animals of Australia, Indonesia and Singapore, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Wallace Line (Carnival Splendor, Sydney to Singapore, July 21-August 5, 2024)
47) Enrichment lectures related to language and culture of destination ports. (Royal Princess, Los Angeles to Tahiti, September 28-October 11, 2024)
48) Enrichment lectures related to language and culture of destination ports. (Royal Princess, Sydney to Fiji RT, October 28-November 10, 2024)
49) Enrichment lectures related to language and culture of destination ports (Westerdam, Brisbane to Perth, November 20-December 8, 2024)

Upcoming
50) Enrichment lectures related to language and culture of destination ports. (Crown Princess, Sydney to South Australia RT, December 14-26, 2024)

Also see scan copies of letters of appreciation under “My Profile”

Cruises as guest
- Costa Magica - Caribbean (March, 2006)
- P&O Pearl - South Pacific (December, 2014; January, 2015)
- Carnival Spirit - South Pacific (June, 2016)
- Sea Princess (Sydney to Santiago, Chile) (January-February, 2017)
- Star Clipper - Thai Islands (December, 2017)
- NCL Epic - Mediterranean (July, 2018)
- MSC Virtuosa (Southampton to Western Mediterranean RT: UK, Spain, France, Portugal) (July 15-29, 2023)
- MSC Virtuosa (Southampton to Western Mediterranean RT: Spain, France) (July 29-August 12, 2023)

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.