2009 Ph.D., Applied Linguistics with an emphasis on Discourse Analysis and Sociolinguistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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1 LEONARD MUAKA Winston Salem State University Department of World Languages; Department of English 220 Hall-Patterson Winston Salem, NC EDUCATION 2009 Ph.D., Applied Linguistics with an emphasis on Discourse Analysis and Sociolinguistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Advanced Certificate in Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Education (SLATE), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign M.A., General Linguistics, with an emphasis on Syntax and Sociolinguistics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign M.A., Applied Linguistics, with an emphasis on the Teaching of English as a Second Language and Second Language Acquisition, Ohio University, Athens 1994 M.A., Linguistics and African Languages, with an emphasis on Swahili language structure, literature and culture, University of Nairobi, Kenya B.A., (Upper 2nd Class Honors) Kiswahili and Sociology, University of Nairobi, Kenya RESEARCH INTERESTS Sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, hybridity, cyber language, emerging media, language and gender, literary criticism, language and media, rhetoric, syntax, African linguistics with a focus on Bantu languages, Film Analysis, second language acquisition, and foreign language pedagogy. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Current Research Currently engaged in a research project of collecting and designing authentic Swahili material from Tanzania and Kenya for online instruction. This project is sponsored by The Office of Sponsored Programs, Winston Salem State University. Summer 2012 Summer 2011 Engaged in two sponsored research projects that dealt with Political Discourse, and Language in Advertising. Language and the use of mobile devices among University students and how these devices impact interpersonal communication and writing in standard 1

2 varieties. Summer 2010 Fall 2009 Summer 2008 Fall Summer 2002 Fall Collected data on socio-cultural elements among Swahili speakers in the Diaspora to increase the use of authentic materials in the teaching of Swahili. This research focused on Swahili speakers from different countries such as Congo, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. Evaluation of how Writing to Learn (WTL) Strategies enhance critical thinking in Freshman Composition writing. Completed a summer project on investigating and assigning tone on Logooli lexical items. This was a project supervised by Prof. Jose Hualde of the Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign. This project attempts to assign tone on Logooli which lacks tonal marking in its written form. Research Assistant for Prof. Eyamba G. Bokamba entitled Multilingualism in Africa, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Research Assistant for Prof. Marmo Soemarmo to develop Internet courseware materials for the teaching of Swahili via the web and distance language learning, Ohio University, Athens. Project Associate for Prof. John Mugane s (now a professor at Harvard University) Swahili SALAMA website project phase II at Ohio University, Athens. Among many other things, I developed Intermediate Swahili teaching materials, supervised the junior staff, prepared Kiswahili/ English translations for a bilingual dictionary, audio recorded materials, identified suitable teaching materials and prepared Internet files for uploading. Spring Visiting Researcher and Lecturer, El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico. I taught Swahili and conducted research on Swahili language and culture. TEACHING EXPERIENCE Fall 2009 to date Assistant Professor of Swahili, Linguistics and English, Winston- Salem State University. COURSES THAT I TEACH I REGULARLY Elementary Swahili; Intermediate Swahili; ENG 3301Introduction to Linguistics; LLS 1335 Language and Media, ENG 3301, Freshman English Composition, ENG 1302 Freshman English Composition; ENG 1311 English as a Second Language; ENG 3321 Grammars of English; The courses I have taught in Applied Linguistics at the graduate level include: Discourse Analysis, Research Methods in Linguistics and Language and Gender. 2

3 COURSES THAT I HAVE DESIGNED AND CURRENTLY TEACH AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY LLS 1304 Dynamics of Language and Globalization; ENG 1312 Engaging the World through Writing; LLS Emerging African Literary Voices; LLS 1335 Language and Media; HON Honors Inquiry-Based Seminar (Language Diversity in a Global Era) COURSES THAT I AM DESIGNING FOR THE PROPOSED AFRICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY Language and Cultures in the African Society; The Image of Africa in the Western Media; Understanding African Film and Society, Postcolonial African Literature, African Oral Literature Fall Summer 2008 Summer 2007 Spring 2007 Swahili Instructor, Winston-Salem State University Taught Intermediate Swahili at the Summer Cooperative African Language Institute (SCALI), hosted by the African Studies Center and the Department of Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Taught Advanced Swahili during the Summer Cooperative African Language Institute (SCALI), hosted by the African Studies Center and the Department of Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Initiated and volunteered as a Swahili teacher for heritage learners at Martin Luther King Elementary School at Urbana Illinois. Guest instructor for LING 250: Language Diversity in the USA; LING 412 Language in African Culture & Society. Spring 2006 Fall Fall Fall Teaching Assistant and a consultant in Linguistics Field Methods class, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Supervising Teaching Assistant for the Languages Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Responsible for Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Swahili classes; Teaching Assistant of Linguistics Field Methods. Teaching Assistant, Ohio University, Athens. Responsible for Elementary Swahili, Intermediate Swahili, and Advanced Swahili self instruction classes. Spring Visiting Lecturer, El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico. Responsible for teaching Swahili literature and Advanced Swahili to graduate students in the following courses: La gramatica de lengua Suahili (Swahili Grammar) Traduccion: Suahili al espanol y espanol al Suahili (Translation from Swahili to Spanish and from Spanish to Swahili). 3

4 Lecturer, Swahili language and literature, Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Nairobi, Kenya. I also served as the Exams and Timetabling Officer, Department of Linguistics and African Languages Assistant Lecturer, Swahili language structure and literature, Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Nairobi, Kenya Tutorial Fellow, Swahili language structure and literature, University of Nairobi, Kenya. ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND COURSES THAT I TAUGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI, KENYA While at the University of Nairobi, I taught Swahili linguistics and literature courses and also supervised both B.A and M.A students of linguistics and literature. Some of the theses I supervised as a lecturer include: Mwende, G An assessment of the language of Matatu workers (B.A), Arege, T Free Verse: The Contribution of Euphrase Kezilahabi, (M.A). SOME OF THE COURSES I TAUGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI INCLUDE: Introduction to Literary Criticism; Analysis of Literary Works in Swahili; Theory of Literature; Swahili Short Story; Swahili Drama; Modern Swahili Poetry; Advanced Swahili Drama; Pre-20 th Swahili Poetry; Advanced Modern Swahili Poetry; Swahili Novel. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING Spring, 2012 February, 2011 Summer 2010 Spring 2010 Summer 2009 Spring 2009 Enrolled in the WSSU Master Teacher Program that equips instructors with traditional and online teaching tools, class management tools and research tools. Attended the Intercultural Communication and Skills Enhancement Workshop at Wake Forest, University, North Carolina, February Completed a summer institute on how to integrate High Impact Practices in teaching, Winston Salem State, June 8-10, Attended the CIBER Language and Culture for International Business Workshop held at the University of Memphis, February 18-20, Completed a summer institute on how to integrate technology in teaching. Completed a 70 hour course focusing on facilitating online active learning courses. Facilitated by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), Winston Salem State University Summer Attended the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) workshop on testing oral proficiency interview in language learners 4

5 (OPI) sponsored by the Department of Linguistics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. A certificate of participation was awarded Summer Attended the National African Language Resource Center (NALRC) Summer Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the Coordination and Teaching of African languages. A certificate of participation was awarded Summer Attended the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) workshop on testing oral proficiency interview in language learners (OPI) organized by the National African Language Resource Center (NALRC) Summer Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS A. BOOKS, PAPERS, AND REVIEWS (Forthcoming Fall 2012) 2 nd Edition of Tusome Kiswahili (Let s Read Swahili), Main author in a co-authored project with Angaluki Muaka. NALRC Press, Madison. This is a Multimedia Intermediate Textbook for foreign language learners of Swahili Language Perceptions and Ideology among Kenyan Youths in Current Studies in African Linguistics, Vol. 1 (CSAL 1), Review of Focus on English: Linguistic structure, language variation and discursive use; Studies in honor of Peter Lucko, edited by Wolf, H et al. World Englishes, Vol. 30 Issue 1, p Review of Cameroon English: Authenticity, Ecology and Evolution by Eric Anchimbe. World Englishes, 29 (1), Tusome Kiswahili (Let s Read Swahili), Main author in a co-authored project with Angaluki Muaka. NALRC Press, Madison. This is a Multimedia Intermediate Textbook for foreign language learners of Swahili A Translation of the short story Wasubiri Kifo (Waiting for Death) by Euphrase Kezilahabi into Spanish. (En espera de la muerte). In the journal of Estudios de Asia y Africa, vol XXXV numero 2.(112), B. POEMS AND CHAPTERS IN BOOKS Contributed a chapter entitled 'Languages and Literature' in Juma, D. (1996) Strategies and Challenges of Studying and Employment. Nairobi: Davisara Maajabu ya utepe wenye madoadoa. Shelburne, Ont., Canada: Battered Silicon Dispatch Box. This is a translation of The Adventures of the speckled band by Doyle, Arthur 1892, into Kiswahili (1993). 5

6 1993. A Poem "Kiswahili" was published in Thuku, H. Ed. (1993) Utamaduni Profile, Department of Culture, Ministry of Culture & Social Services, Kenya. C. RESEARCH AND CONFERENCE PAPERS Swahili Literature s Role in a Changing Global World: Examination of Kyallo Wamitila s Swahili literary Works. A paper presented. A paper presented at the 39 th Annual African Literature Association, College of Charleston, March The Manifestations of Language Policy Linguistic Landscapes in Kenya and Tanzania. A paper presented at the 44 th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL), University of Georgetown, March Achieving Multidimensional language Skills through Communicative Teaching: An Appraisal of the 2 nd Edition of Tusome Kiswahili. A paper presented at the African Language Teachers Association/National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages (ALTA-NCOLCTL), University of Wisconsin-Madison, April Discovering Linguistic Indirectness in Kenya s Political Discourse. A paper presented during the 43 rd Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL) in New Orleans, USA, March Constructing Multilayered Language Identities through Comedy and Talk Show. A paper presented at the 42 nd Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL), University of Maryland, College Park, June Dialogues with her Past: The Painful Images Embedded in Samehe's Long Silence in the Maangamizi film. A paper presented. A paper presented at the 37 th Annual African Literature Association, Ohio University, April Infusing Technology in the Teaching of Swahili Language. A paper presented at the African Language Teachers Association/National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages (ALTA-NCOLCTL), University of Wisconsin-Madison, April Writing to learn as a strategy to improve critical thinking and student performance. A paper presented at the Lilly conference, University of North Carolina, Greensboro February Language Perceptions and Identity among Kenyan speakers. A paper presented at the Annual Conference on African linguistics (ACAL), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, April The effectiveness of journal writing to the foreign language learner of a less commonly taught language. A paper presented at the African Language 6

7 Teachers Association/National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages (ALTA-NCOLCTL), University of Wisconsin-Madison, April The legitimacy of unofficial language varieties: The case of the Kenyan youths. A paper presented at the Annual Conference on African linguistics (ACAL), University of Georgia, Athens, April Does Explicit Teaching of Noun Classes facilitate the learning of Swahili? Presented at the 11 th African Language Teachers Association Conference (ALTA), University of Florida, March Language Ideologies and language choice among the youths in Kenya. Presented during the 38 th ACAL (Annual Conference on African Linguistics), University of Florida, March The Political Economy of language choice among the Kenyan youths. A paper presented at the 36th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL), Georgia Southern University, March 31-April The Effects of Topic, Setting and the Speaker on the Structure of Code Switching among Kenyan Bilingual Speakers in the US. Ohio University, Athens, research paper for the M.A. degree Discourse markers in Swahili and their pedagogical effects. A paper presented at the 33rd ACAL conference, Ohio University, Athens, April The teaching of African Languages in Latin America: The case study of Swahili in Mexico. A paper presented at the ALTA meeting, University of Wisconsin-Madison, April, The role of language as a unifying tool. A paper presented in Zacatecas, Mexico, at the National meeting for the Asian and African Studies Association of Latin America (ALADAA), May Swahili in the face of opposition: The case study of Swahili in Kenya. A paper presented at the Against All Odds Conference in Asmara, Eritrea January Language and Culture. A paper presented at the Rift Valley Sports Club in Nakuru, Kenya, during the National Cultural Policy Seminar organized by UNESCO, September MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Association of Asian and African Studies, Latin America (ALADAA) 7

8 African Language Teachers Association (ALTA) African Studies Association (ASA), U.S.A. Executive Board Member, Southeast African Language and Literature Forum (SEALLF) Executive Director, Global Association for the Promotion of Swahili (GAPS). PROFESSIONAL SKILLS Scripting Databases: -JavaScript (Introduction), Dreamweaver, Authorware Computer word processors and Spreadsheets: -Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Publisher, and Microsoft Access Presentation and Graphics: -Adobe PhotoShop, Ulead Photo Express, Microsoft PowerPoint RECOGNITIONS RESEARCH: Awarded a Research Initiation Program Grant to develop Multimedia teaching materials for Swahili language for the period between June 1, 2012 and May 31, Awarded the Professional Development Travel Grant to present a paper at ACAL conference in March 14-17, Awarded the Building Bridges Honors mentors Program Research Support Grant for research project during the Academic year. August Mentor and Advisor for Honors and Chancellor Scholars. Awarded a Winston Salem State University faculty development research grant to collect Swahili socio-cultural materials to enhance the teaching of Swahili, May, Awarded a full CIBER scholarship by the University of Memphis CIBER center to attend Language and Culture for International Business Workshop held at the University of Memphis, February 18-20, Awarded a Graduate College Travel Grant, NALRC accommodation support, and the Department of Linguistics and the Center for African Studies Travel Grants to present a paper at the 39 th ACAL conference at the University of Georgia, Athens, April 17 th to 20 th

9 Awarded the 2007 NALRC support grant, the Department of Linguistics, and Center for African Studies Travel Grants to present papers at the 11 th ALTA and 38 th ACAL conferences at the University of Florida, Gainesville, March Awarded the 2006 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Department of Linguistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, May Travel Grant form African Studies center for Conference presentation paper at Southern Georgia University, spring NARLC fellowship to participate at the NARLC Summer Institute, University of Madison on the Coordination and teaching of African languages, June TEACHING: Department of Linguistics Teaching Assistantship for Swahili language, Awarded a Department of Linguistics Fellowship for the academic year to complete my dissertation writing. Support in recognition of my excellent teaching of African languages for several years as a TA in the Department, May Department of Linguistics scholarship, Ohio University for my MA degree, Foreign Affairs Ministry and El Colegio de Mexico Scholarship to teach Swahili and do investigation at El Colegio de Mexico in Mexico, A grant from Africa World Press to present a paper at the Against All Odds conference in Asmara, Eritrea, January 11-17, UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: I serve as the Winston Salem State University representative on the University of North Carolina Language Assembly. Member of the Executive Board, South East African Languages and Literature. Member on the Winston Salem State University s Information Literacy Committee. Member on the Winston Salem State University s General Education Committee. 9

10 I volunteer as a webmaster for CHAKIDU (Chama Cha Kiswahili Duniani - International Association of Swahili Scholars) I volunteer as a tutor and mentor at Ashley Elementary School, Winston- Salem Forsyth school district. Served as a community Aide, University Housing, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Served as a vice president and publicity secretary for African Students Organization, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, INVITED PUBLIC TALKS: Keynote Speaker for African Students Association Graduate Forum, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, May 18, (Forthcoming, 2013/14) To be a Guest Speaker at the University of Richmond, Virginia during their inaugural Africa Fest being organized by Prof. Kapanga Kasongo. This is in an effort to promote the teaching of Swahili language and literature. 10