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University of British Columbia

History of the English language: Early history (Fall 2022, Fall 2023)

This course surveys the language, history, and culture of Early Medieval England, starting with its origins in Indo-European. By comparing prehistoric changes from Indo-European to Germanic, we discuss the principles, causes, and mechanisms of language change which have affected all aspects of Old English, from its sound system (phonology) to its vocabulary (lexis) and endings (morphology), to its grammar (syntax), and to its meaning (semantics). We examine in detail the impact of various historical events on the early history of the English language, considering various kinds of evidence (archeological, literary, linguistic, and historiographical). Knowledge from this course will give you a toolkit to explain many of the seemingly "irregular" aspects of Present Day English.

 

History of the English language: Late history (Spring 2023, Spring 2024)

This course surveys the major developments in the English language from the Norman Conquest (Middle English, 1100-1500) to the present (21st century), addressing changes in pronunciation (phonology), vocabulary (lexis), grammar (morphology and syntax), and meaning (semantics). Language-internal (e.g., sound change) and language-external factors (e.g., language contact with the Normans) are discussed in detail. In the second half of the course we discuss themes such as spelling reform, prescriptivism, nationalism, and identity in the context of World and Global Englishes. This course provides students with a toolkit for explaining many of the peculiarities of Present Day English through knowledge of its history.

Challenging language myths (Spring 2023, Spring 2024)

This course explores a range of commonly held beliefs and misconceptions about language. Various language-related claims are discussed in relation to the brain and cognition, learning and acquisition, society and use, and change and evolution. The course discusses the principles of academic and scientific inquiry, as students identify, challenge, and explore their own language-related claims and myths.

Purdue University

Introduction to linguistics (Spring 2019)

Introduction to the linguistic study of foreign languages (Spring 2019)

German level I  (Fall 2015)

German level II (Spring 2016, Summer 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021)

German level III (Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2022)

German level IV (Fall 2019)

German level VI (Spring 2017)

High School Teaching (2013-14)

From 2013-2014 I taught as a language instructor in middle and high schools in Germany and Spain. I also taught Business English for the language company inlingua.

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