LEONARD MUAKA
Winston Salem State University
Department of World Languages; Department of English
220 Hall-Patterson
Winston Salem, NC 27110
E-mail: muakale@wssu.edu
EDUCATION
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2009
Ph.D., Applied Linguistics with an emphasis on Discourse Analysis and
Sociolinguistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
2009
Advanced Certificate in Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Education
(SLATE), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
2005
M.A., General Linguistics, with an emphasis on Syntax and Sociolinguistics,
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
2002
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.
1992
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
Engaged in two sponsored research projects that dealt with Political
Discourse, and Language in Advertising.
Summer 2011
Language and the use of mobile devices among University students and how
these devices impact interpersonal communication and writing in standard
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varieties.
Summer 2010
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.
Fall 2009
Summer 2008
Fall 2002 -2004
Summer 2002
Fall 2000-2002
Spring 1999- 2000
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.
Visiting Researcher and Lecturer, El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico. I taught
Swahili and conducted research on Swahili language and culture.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor of Swahili, Linguistics and English, WinstonSalem State University.
Fall 2009 – to date
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.
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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 1334 - Emerging African Literary Voices;
LLS 1335 – Language and Media; HON 1300 - 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 2008-2009
Swahili Instructor, Winston-Salem State University
Summer 2008
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.
Summer 2007
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.
Spring 2007
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
Teaching Assistant and a consultant in Linguistics Field Methods
class, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Fall 2004-2005
Supervising Teaching Assistant for the Languages Program, University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Fall 2002- 2008
Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Responsible for Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Swahili classes;
Teaching Assistant of Linguistics Field Methods.
Fall 2000- 2002
Teaching Assistant, Ohio University, Athens. Responsible for Elementary
Swahili, Intermediate Swahili, and Advanced Swahili self instruction classes.
Spring 1999- 2000
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).
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1997 – 1999
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.
1995 – 1997
Assistant Lecturer, Swahili language structure and literature, Department of
Linguistics and African Languages, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
1994 -1995
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.
1998 “An assessment of the language of Matatu workers” (B.A), Arege, T.
1998 “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-20th Swahili Poetry; Advanced Modern
Swahili Poetry; Swahili Novel.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Spring, 2012
Enrolled in the WSSU Master Teacher Program that equips instructors with
traditional and online teaching tools, class management tools and research
tools.
February, 2011
Attended the Intercultural Communication and Skills Enhancement Workshop at
Wake Forest, University, North Carolina, February 18-19.
Summer 2010
Completed a summer institute on how to integrate High Impact Practices in
teaching, Winston Salem State, June 8-10, 2010.
Spring 2010
Attended the CIBER Language and Culture for International Business Workshop
held at the University of Memphis, February 18-20, 2010.
Summer 2009
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.
Spring 2009
2007 Summer
Attended the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
(ACTFL) workshop on testing oral proficiency interview in language learners
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(OPI) sponsored by the Department of Linguistics, University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign. A certificate of participation was awarded.
2003 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.
2005 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) 2nd 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.

2011. Language Perceptions and Ideology among Kenyan Youths in Current
Studies in African Linguistics, Vol. 1 (CSAL 1), 217-230.

2011. 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, p153-156.

2009. Review of Cameroon English: Authenticity, Ecology and Evolution by
Eric Anchimbe. World Englishes, 29 (1), 152-154.

2006. 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.

2000. 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), 327-341.
B. POEMS AND CHAPTERS IN BOOKS

1993. Contributed a chapter entitled 'Languages and Literature' in Juma, D.
(1996) Strategies and Challenges of Studying and Employment. Nairobi:
Davisara.

1993. 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).
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
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

2013. 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 39th Annual African Literature Association, College of
Charleston, March 20-24

2013. The Manifestations of Language Policy Linguistic Landscapes in Kenya
and Tanzania. A paper presented at the 44th Annual Conference on African
Linguistics (ACAL), University of Georgetown, March 07-10.

2012. Achieving Multidimensional language Skills through Communicative
Teaching: An Appraisal of the 2nd 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 25-29

2012. Discovering Linguistic Indirectness in Kenya’s Political Discourse. A
paper presented during the 43rd Annual Conference on African Linguistics
(ACAL) in New Orleans, USA, March 14-17.

2011. Constructing Multilayered Language Identities through Comedy and
Talk Show. A paper presented at the 42nd Annual Conference on African
Linguistics (ACAL), University of Maryland, College Park, June 10-12.

2011. 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 37th Annual African Literature Association, Ohio University, April 13-17.
2010. 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 18-22.


2010. 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 4-7.

2009. 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 9-11.

2008. The effectiveness of journal writing to the foreign language learner of a
less commonly taught language. A paper presented at the African Language
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Teachers Association/National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages
(ALTA-NCOLCTL) , University of Wisconsin-Madison, April 24-27

2008. 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 17-20.

2007. Does Explicit Teaching of Noun Classes facilitate the learning of
Swahili? Presented at the 11th African Language Teachers Association
Conference (ALTA), University of Florida, March 22-25.

2007. Language Ideologies and language choice among the youths in Kenya.
Presented during the 38th ACAL (Annual Conference on African Linguistics),
University of Florida, March 22-25.

2005. 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 3.

2002. 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.

2002. Discourse markers in Swahili and their pedagogical effects. A paper
presented at the 33rd ACAL conference, Ohio University, Athens, April 2002.

2001. 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, 2001.

2000. 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 2000.

2000. 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 11 - 17.

1996. 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 1996.
MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
________________________________________________________________________

Association of Asian and African Studies, Latin America (ALADAA)
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
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,
2013.
▪
Awarded the Professional Development Travel Grant to present a paper at ACAL
conference in March 14-17, 2012.
▪
Awarded the Building Bridges Honors mentors Program Research Support Grant for
research project during the 2011-2012 Academic year. August 2011.
▪
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, 2010.
▪
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, 2010.
▪
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 39th ACAL conference at the University of Georgia, Athens,
April 17th to 20th 2008
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
Awarded the 2007 NALRC support grant, the Department of Linguistics, and
Center for African Studies Travel Grants to present papers at the 11th ALTA
and 38th ACAL conferences at the University of Florida, Gainesville, March
2007.

Awarded the 2006 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Department of
Linguistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, May 2006.

Travel Grant form African Studies center for Conference presentation paper at
Southern Georgia University, spring 2005.

NARLC fellowship to participate at the NARLC Summer Institute, University
of Madison on the Coordination and teaching of African languages, June-2003.
TEACHING:

Department of Linguistics Teaching Assistantship for Swahili language, 2002-2008.

Awarded a Department of Linguistics Fellowship for the 2007-08 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 2007.

Department of Linguistics scholarship, Ohio University for my MA degree, 2000 2002.

Foreign Affairs Ministry and El Colegio de Mexico Scholarship to teach Swahili and
do investigation at El Colegio de Mexico in Mexico, 1999- 2000.

A grant from Africa World Press to present a paper at the Against All Odds
conference in Asmara, Eritrea, January 11-17, 2000.
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.
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
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, WinstonSalem Forsyth school district.

Served as a community Aide, University Housing, University of Illinois at
Urbana Champaign, 2005-2007.

Served as a vice president and publicity secretary for African Students
Organization, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, 2006-2008.
INVITED PUBLIC TALKS:

2009. Keynote Speaker for African Students Association Graduate Forum,
University of Illinois, Urbana – Champaign, May 18, 2009.

(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.
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