Duncan Charters, PhD, has had a passion for language education since an early age. French captivated his mind as a young boy, thanks to the Belgian mother of his first elementary school friend sensing his interest and teaching him her native tongue. This early exposure set the stage for Dr. Charters’ dedicated career as a language professor. For over five decades, he has devoted himself to mastering, teaching, and promoting language learning for cross-cultural understanding.
The Pursuit of Language Education
If French was Dr. Charters’ first love in language study, it led to an even deeper fascination with the Spanish language and culture and how it expanded his vision of life and the world far beyond his British upbringing. Whenever people find their lives changed by language, they immerse themselves in it. For him, this meant learning Spanish through practical experience in Spain and England, where, for three nights a week, he would enrich his schoolwork by going up to London for classes and acting training with inspiring teachers who were refugees from the Spanish Civil War. This led him to earn advanced degrees from the University of Cambridge and Indiana University in Bloomington, with expertise in Spanish Golden Age literature.
Throughout his career, Dr. Charters discovered language’s transformative power. His work as a professor goes beyond the fundamentals of vocabulary or grammar. “What we need to do is change our thinking, attitudes, and actions to relate in a more friendly way to people of very different cultures,” he says.
A Leader in the Esperanto Movement
In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Charters has been a passionate advocate for Esperanto. This neutral international second language enables early cross-cultural communication on a more equal basis than when one tries to master another’s native tongue. As president of the World Esperanto Association, he leads efforts to broaden the language’s reach.
Esperanto has long symbolized global unity. However, Dr. Charters points out that shared language alone isn’t a guaranteed way to build peace. “It’s not enough to just speak the same language because people who speak the same language get involved in fights and wars, too,” he says. “We need to focus on people becoming more competent in their personal and international relationships.”
A Different Way to Reduce Conflict
Dr. Charters attributes much of his success to his ability to listen and adapt. The academic field often maintains a rigidity toward dissenting viewpoints. However, he sees opposing perspectives as opportunities to connect with others. “When someone challenges my ideas, I see it as enriching,” he says. “It’s not about defending my position but understanding theirs.”
This openness extends to Dr. Charters’ vision for the future. This educator aspires to create educational environments that value what others bring to the conversation. “You need to listen carefully and invite people to contribute,” he says. He took an early interest in the international program at Principia College, where he is gratified to have seen the international student population grow to a peak of over 40 percent of the student body.
A Problem-Solver and Mentor
Dr. Charters is known for forward-thinking teaching methods. As a professor, he has innovated new ways to integrate technology into language education. Early in his career, while supervising first-year language classes, he and many of his colleagues stayed up all night grading hundreds of Spanish exams. He freed everyone from sleepless nights by developing an automated grading system that was more accurate and efficient in evaluating students’ work.
Mentorship is also a central element in the philosophy that informs his teaching. Whether guiding first-year Spanish students or training aspiring educators, he emphasizes a hands-on approach to learning. “Helping others discover the best ways to teach is as rewarding as teaching itself,” Dr. Charters says.
A Lasting Impact on Human Connections
Dr. Charters is a lifetime member of the Modern Language Association and an active participant in the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Outside of his professional life, he finds joy in family, films, and literature.
In the coming years, Dr. Charters aims to expand his work even more. His goal is to link language learning to cultural competence on an international scale. “I want people to know that we must value everybody,” he says. “I’m trying to see how we can do that better.”
