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Meet Our Graduate Students

World Languages at West Virginia University has a long history of supporting the development of language and linguistics instructors globally. Please take this opportunity to meet our current graduates.

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Adebola Afolake Akintounde

ESL and TESOL Educator

 

As an ESL and TESOL educator, my mission is to empower diverse learners on their language acquisition journey. I firmly believe in the transformative power of language, and I am committed to fostering an environment where students from various backgrounds and proficiency levels thrive. My teaching philosophy revolves around student-centered and interactive learning. I leverage innovative approaches to enhance language skills across all domains, with a focus on real-world applications. Whether you're a beginner navigating English for the first time or an advanced learner refining your communication skills, my goal is to provide a supportive and enriching educational experience.

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Malak Rafat Alrousan

Graduate Teaching Assistant

mra00021@mix.wvu.edu

As a dedicated Teaching Assistant at West Virginia University, I leverage my varied experiences, including my role as a translator at PwC, Jordan, to shape a dynamic and comprehensive approach to teaching Arabic. Having a Bachelor's degree in Translation from Yarmouk University, Jordan, I bring a strong foundation to my instructional endeavors. Currently pursuing my Master's in Linguistics at WVU, this academic journey complements my practical insights gained as a translator. This unique blend of academic and practical experience allows me to integrate my teaching with real-world applications, providing my students with a profound understanding of both Arabic language and culture.

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Emil Asanov

Graduate Teaching Assistant

I am interested in post-secondary second language (L2) education, co-curricular language learning, content-based instruction, different "isms" and social justice in L2 teaching and learning, and (post-)qualitative research.

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Sylvanus K. Dzade

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

I have had a lot of experience in teaching from 2013 until now. I am currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant, taking two sessions of French 101 at the West Virginia University since August, 2023. I teach, assess and grade students performances.

CV of Sylvanus Dzade (PDF)

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Elena Invernón García

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

I have a BA in Translation and Interpreting and a MA in Audiovisual Translation. I have experience teaching translation and Spanish as a foreign language. I have worked in France for three years and now I'm in the USA! I'm currently a graduate research assistant in phonetics and I'm really passionate about foreign languages and linguistics. 

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Khadijat Olakintan Abdulrazaq

Graduate Research Assistant

 

I am passionate about advancing research in theoretical linguistics, particularly in areas focusing on phonetics and phonology. I presently work with the Yoruba language and its dialects, with a keen openness to exploring other languages; my current research thesis focuses on how nasals behave in the Yoruba-Ijebu Dialect. Additionally, I work as a Research Assistant on an NSF grant for the research project, 'The Causal Structure of Intervocalic  Lenition' (FAIN 2234368 - PD98-1311 Linguistics). Beyond Academia, I channel my enthusiasm for languages into creating engaging video content on my YouTube channel, 'LangVlog with Khadijat,' where I showcase the beauty, uniqueness, and pertinent issues surrounding languages.


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Irene Pedrero Perez

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

 I studied Translation and Interpreting in Salamanca, Spain. My work languages are Spanish, English, French and Italian. My M.A. at WVU is in Linguistics and Spanish, so I am interested in anything related to languages (including research and teaching a second language). I am also interested in anything related to humanities (history, art, literature, music...).

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Wendy Rodríguez Zúñiga

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

For the past seven years, I have dedicated myself to the field of language instruction (English and Spanish), working with diverse age groups, including children, teenagers, and adults. My journey has extended beyond conventional teaching settings, as I have actively engaged with underprivileged populations. These experiences have helped me gain invaluable insights into the unique challenges they face and foster a profound understanding of the importance of inclusive education. In parallel, my research interests reflect my commitment to creating diverse learning environments. Exploring topics such as inclusive language in the classroom, motivation, and feminist pedagogy, I seek to contribute to the development of educational practices that empower and honor all individuals.

CV of Wendy Rodgriquez Zuniga (PDF)

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Maria Serrano de la Fuente

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

Maria Serrano is a dedicated graduate student currently pursuing a Master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the University of West Virginia. Hailing from La Universidad de Valladolid, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Translation and Interpreting.   Maria's academic journey has evolved to include a keen interest in the intersection of languages and artificial intelligence. She is actively exploring the dynamic ways in which language learning and technology intersect, aiming to bridge traditional pedagogical approaches with cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence.  Maria's academic and research endeavors reflect her dedication to becoming a well-rounded and forward-thinking educator, aspiring to contribute meaningfully to the field of TESOL and language education.

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Falon Snodgrass

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

She received her dual Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University in World Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics and International Studies in May 2022. She began the track of receiving her Master of Arts in Linguistics from West Virginia University in August 2023 and was granted a Graduate Teaching Assistantship teaching Elementary French 1 and Elementary French 2. Her areas of interest include creole and pidgin languages, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, and syntax.

CV for Falon Snodgrass

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Rosario Tornel Mengual

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

My focus in teaching is to accompany students in their personal and academic development by providing them with the skills needed to be direct participants in today's society. That is why my teaching motto consists of presenting, practicing, and producing knowledge in a contextualized environment. As for my research interests, they lie at the intersection of corpus linguistics and cognitive science.  I am passionate about exploring how language is crucial to the understanding of human language and cognition.

CV of Rosario Tornel Mengual (PDF)

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KuanYing Wu

Graduate Teaching Assistant

KuanYing Wu discovered her passion for teaching languages while studying for her bachelor's degree in Taiwan. She then continued her education in English and Chinese teaching and gained language teaching experience in the United States through the Fulbright grant and Alliance for Language Learning and Educational Exchange (ALLEX) program. Her main area of research is focused on foreign language learning motivation. KuanYing aims to improve her teaching skills and make an impact on language instruction in the US through her research.

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Haruka Yukawa

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

After I completed the practicum in the ALLEX program, where I gained fundamental Japanese pedagogy skills, I started working as a Japanese teaching assistant at West Virginia University August in 2023.



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Mariela Zayas

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

 Spanish instructor in the Spanish Language Program of the World Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Department at WVU.

CV of Mariela Zayas (PDF)

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Malina Judd

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

 I am currently a driven graduate student at West Virginia University, where I am pursuing a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). My academic journey began at the same university, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in English and minored in Communications and Foreign Literature. I also pursued an area of emphasis in Creative Writing.

My interest in exploring new cultures has led me to valuable experiences, including teaching English in Shanghai, China, and studying Spanish in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. My teaching philosophy revolves around the idea that immersion is the most effective method for language acquisition. This philosophy aligns with my teaching practices as a Teaching Assistant at the Intensive English Program at my university. I teach English language skills to international students, such as reading, writing, vocabulary, and communication skills. My teaching approach centers around creating a positive and enriching environment for my students.