Jody Ballah is a faculty member at the University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College where she teaches all levels of French language as well as culture, literature, and film courses. In addition to her work in the United States, she has taught in her native Canada as well as in France and Mexico. Her principal areas of research include:  French New Wave cinema and the representation of animals in French Canadian literature.  In addition, she has published articles on experiential learning in beginning language courses and the role of language preparation in study abroad.