OLIVIA V. MARTÍNEZ
25041 ¼ Walnut St., Lomita, CA 90717
Home Phone: (310) 8912325
Email: ovmartin@usc.edu
Nov/2013
INTERESTS and BACKGROUND
Lexicography
Code-switching
Zapotec Studies
Literacy
TESL
Teaching Spanish
Pronunciation
Language Change/Contact
Translation/Interpretation
EDUCATION
2000-2004
1998-2000
1998-2001
1993-1995
1990-1993
C. Phil in Applied Linguistics/TESL, UCLA
M.A. in Applied Linguistics/TESL, UCLA
TESL Certificate, UCLA
B.A. in Linguistics/Anthropology, UCLA
A.A. in General Education, El Camino College, Torrance
TEACHING
08/08-Present
Lecturer, American Language Institute, USC
Teach English speaking, listening, and writing skills to graduate and undergraduate
students. Use content and skills based methods to help students develop the language skills
they need to succeed at the university. Meet with students to discuss their progress, advice
and provide guidance for improvement and success in their courses.
07/06-7/07
ESL/ English Comp. Lecturer, UCLA
Taught English writing skills to incoming graduate students in the Anderson School of
Management at UCLA. Provided grammar and stylistic instruction for Case Write-ups and
Executive Summaries. Taught English Composition to Generation 1.5 undergraduates,
while providing grammar and stylistic instruction. Taught advanced Reading and Writing
skills to graduate and undergraduate students, development of Lesson Plans, Use of
Multimedia of Multimedia Equipment (i.e. videos, computers - basic applications and the
internet) for instruction and student assessment. Supervised ESL TA’s, normed and rated
for UCLA ESL Placement Exam with other ESL lecturers.
09/05-6/06
Academic English Lecturer, UCI
Taught speaking and listening skills to international graduate students preparing to take
exams such as the SPEAK or TSE and become ITA’s. Used a skills-based approach to
accent reduction and development of oral presentation skills. Trained graduate students for
advancement and other departmental exams. Evaluated acquired skills and the level
achieved in the course.
01/06-03/06
ALLERGAN, Medical Labs
Worked on accent reduction and oral presentation training for Medical Researchers and
Doctors at the Lab. Developed curriculum and lesson plans for small classes (4 students
per class) in pronunciation.
06/04-08/04;
10/01-06/03;
10/99-06/00;
Teaching Assistant, UCLA ESL Service Courses
Taught ESL to International Students at UCLA (at the medium low level) using a Content
Based Approach, Holistic Grading of Essays, Reading, and Writing Skills for
Undergraduate
Level Writing, Development of Lesson Plans Under the Guidance of a UCLA Supervisor,
Use of Multimedia Equipment (i.e. videos, computers - basic applications and the internet)
01/99-03/99
Martínez
for Instruction. Assessed student progress (progress reports, grades, etc.).
2
Martínez
06/01-08/01
08/00-09/00
Teacher, UCLA Extensions
Taught Basic English skills to visiting college students in Arts Management. Developed
practical lesson plans from various sources and created material (vocabulary exercises,
case studies, and project proposals) with other teachers. Assessed student progress
(progress reports, grades, etc.). Helped students prepare to give oral presentations and roleplaying relevant to Arts Management in English. Taught advanced academic English skills
for foreign students of diverse backgrounds using a content-based method and holistic
grading. Taught as a substitute for various levels for conversation/pronunciation and
academic ESL courses.
07/00-08/00
Taught Basic and Advanced English Conversation/Pronunciation to visiting college-age
students visiting from various parts of the world for 2-6 weeks. Developed lesson plans
around material provided for teachers, such as audiotapes, vocabulary exercises, and
articles covering various topics of interest (culture, astrology, etc) and/or everyday life
(shopping, going to a restaurant, giving directions, etc.).
Taught international high school students basic communication skills. Developed lessons
to prepare them for special activities (going to Disneyland, museums, etc.). Worked with
other teachers in developing curriculum for the program.
08/00-09/00
09/97-08/99
Teacher, Downey Adult School
Taught ESL Transitional as a New Course, ESL-Distance Learning, ESL in Community
Based English Tutoring (for Adults with School-Age Children), Spanish to Adults, and
Substitute Work at Various Levels of ESL and in Learning and Reading Labs. Developed
and Reviewed Course Outlines, Course Materials, and Guidelines. Developed Lesson
Plans, Held Small Multilevel Courses at Sites, Corrected and Reviewed Material with
Individual Students. Provided Instruction in Basic Language Skills, Grammar,
Pronunciation, Conversation, Technical Terminology, as well as Cultural Awareness.
Worked with Children and Parents on Developing Basic Academic Skills (for example:
Alphabet -Order, Phonics, Printing - Spelling, Reading).
06/98-Present
Private Spanish and English Tutor and Translator/Iinterpreter
Worked with Individuals and Small Groups to Develop Basic Spanish (or English) Skills in
the Business Setting. Developed Assessment and Instructional Materials Based on the
Needs of the Customer, Provided Instruction in Basic Language Skills, Grammar and
Pronunciation, Technical Terminology, Conversation, as well as Cultural Awareness.
Worked with companies in the development and translation of informational, instructive
and/or academic materials for Spanish-speaking employees and/or students. Worked with
various institutions and companies providing simultaneous translation services.
ACADEMIC RESEARCH
01/13-Present
The Right Side of Learning –Literacy Project
Research reading strategies to help children and adults become more engaged readers, thus
improving comprehension. Help run pilot programs and preliminary neurolinguistic
research.
9/12-Present
Angels of Charity and Music
Work with local children to help orphanages in Mexico and Peru through a non-profit
organization.
05/08-06/11
UCLA Linguistics Department
Research and English-Spanish translation of Valley Zapotec Learners’ Book for use at a
university setting in Mexico. In preparation Cali Chiu? Curso de Zapoteco del Valle
(Munro, Lillehaugen, Lopez, & Martínez).
3
Martínez
09/00-6/04
UCLA AL/TESL Department (work on C. Phil)
Linguistic Research including data collection in San Juan Guelavía Zapotec, for
Lexicography and Linguistic Research (e.g., Phonology, Syntax, Morphology).
10/98-07/00
UCLA AL/TESL Department (work on MA)
MA Thesis. Code-switching in San Lucas Quiaviní Zapotec Narratives and the Matrix
Language Model. A Syntactic Analysis of Spanish-San Lucas Quiaviní Zapotec Code
Switching in Immigrant Narratives. A Work in Progress with Pamela Munro and Roger
Andersen, to be Filed Spring of 1999.
04/94-6/2007
UCLA Linguistics Department
Preliminary Linguistic Research Assistance, Including Guided Phonological Research and
Translation to Spanish for Zapotec-English-Spanish Dictionary (for upcoming editions)
with Pamela Munro. Elicitation and Organization of Research Materials, Oral Conference
Presentations. Macintosh, IBM, Word Processing, etc.
.
10/98-12/98
Graduate Research Assistant, CRESST/UCLA
Research and Development of Language Assessment Materials for LAUSD, Including
Validity Studies and Task (Test and Classroom) Development, Oral Conference
Presentation and Organization, Preparation and Presentation of Research Materials,
Macintosh, IBM, Word Processing, etc.
PUBLICATIONS
1999
UCLA Linguistics Department
Di'csyonaary X:tèe'n Dìi'zh Sah Sann Lu’uc (San Lucas Quiaviní Zapotec
Dictionary / Diccionario Zapoteco de San Lucas Quiaviní), Pamela Munro and Felipe Lopez,
with Olivia V. Méndez (Martínez), Rodrigo Garcia, and Michael R. Galant. Published by the
UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center. Contributions: Preliminary Linguistic Research,
Phonological Analysis of Loanwords (including search for Etymologies), Assist in Translations
to Spanish at Various Stages and in Various Sections of the Dictionary.
CONFERENCES, AWARDS and ACTIVITIES
9/12-Present
9/12-Present
2003-2004
Worked with local youth through church programs.
USC College Advocate –Have represented and promoted USC at College and Career Days at
local schools and churches.
Institute of American Cultures Grant. A Grant to encourage and further research on minority
cultures of America. The research proposed for this grant was on Zapotec Immigrants from San
Juan Guelavía, Oaxaca, Mexico in Los Angeles
03/04
The Conference on Otomanguean and Oaxacan Languages (COOL) –Berkeley, California. A
Presentation of "Two Orthographies –One San Juan Guelavía Zapotec Dictionary." A
lexicographical analysis of orthographies for practical and academic use in dictionaries for
languages with no written tradition.
10/00
LASSO Conference –Edinburgh, Texas. A Presentation of Verb Paradigms in a San Juan
Guelavía Zapotec Dictionary. An analysis of complex morphology in lexicography.
2001-2003
Institute of American Cultures Grant. A Grant to encourage and further research on minority
cultures of America. The research proposed for this grant was on Zapotec Immigrants from San
Juan Guelavía, Oaxaca, Mexico in Los Angeles
10/00
LASSO Conference –Puebla, Mexico. A Presentation of Code-switching in San Lucas Quiaviní
Zapotec Narratives and the Matrix Language Model. A Syntactic Analysis of Spanish-San
Lucas Quiaviní Zapotec code switching in immigrant narratives.
4
Martínez
2000-2004
Euguene Cota Robles Fellow. A Fellowship to help PhD students traditionally
struggling/underrepresented at the graduate level continue their education. Also a merit-based
Fellowship.
03/95
Zapotec Linguistics Conference, Papers on the Morphology and Syntax of San Lucas Quiaviní
Zapotec, by the UCLA Zapotec Group. A Presentation on SLQZ Reflexives and Reciprocals.
1995
NSF Award for Support of Undergraduate Students. A Supplementary Award from a Grant
"Phonetic Studies of Endangered Languages." Resulting from a Recommendation by Professor
Emeritus, Peter Ladefoged (Phonetics Dept., UCLA).
LANGUAGES
•
•
•
Fluent Spanish Language Skills
Basic Language Skills in French (Reading, Writing, Translation)
Basic Language Skills in Valley Zapotec
5