Headshot of Dr.Elizabeth   Kissling

Dr. Elizabeth Kissling

Associate Professor of Spanish and Applied Linguistics
Chair, Department of Latin American, Latino, & Iberian Studies
Curriculum Vitae

  • Profile

    Elizabeth Kissling is an applied linguist who teaches courses in linguistics and courses in Spanish, from beginning through advanced levels. Her teaching is informed by her research in second language acquisition, which explores how second languages are learned in instructed environments. She carries out empirical research studies on teaching methods in multiple areas, including pronunciation and grammar. Her areas of specialty are Spanish phonetics and pronunciation, prepositions, verb aspect, cognitive-linguistics inspired language teaching, and Concept-Based Instruction. 

    Dr. Kissling’s courses include:

    The Power and Prejudice of Language (a First Year Seminar)
    Beginning and Intermediate Spanish Language
    Spanish in the Media
    Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics 
    The Sounds of Spanish (an advanced LALIS seminar)
    Bilingualism in the US, Latin America, and Spain (an advanced LALIS seminar)

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  • Selected Publications
    Journal Articles

    Kissling, E.M. Can Concept-Based Language Instruction Change Beginning Learners’ Acquisition of Aspect?: Preliminary Experimental Evidence That Novice Learners Taught Boundedness are Less Influenced by Lexical Aspect. The Journal of Applied Linguistics and Applied Literature: Advances and Dynamics (JALDA), 11(2), 63–84. https://doi.org/10.22049/jalda.2023.27948.1447

    Kissling, E.M. & Arnold, T. Preliminary evidence that applied cognitive linguistics is effective for novice learners regardless of their individual differences. Language Teaching Research, 0(0). Pagination Pending. Published online: https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688221139626

    Kissling, E.M. More evidence that a usage-based, applied cognitive linguistics approach is effective for teaching the Spanish prepositions por and para. Pedagogical Linguistics, 0(0). Pagination Pending. Published online: https://www.jbeplatform.com/content/journals/10.1075/pl.22005.kis

    Kissling, E.M. & Muthusamy, T. Exploring boundedness for Concept-Based Instruction of aspect: Evidence from novice L1 English speakers learning the Spanish preterite and imperfect. The Modern Language Journal, 106(2), 371–392. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12778

    Kissling, E.M. (2021). From rule-based explicit instruction to explicit knowledge: A pilot study on how L1 English speakers interpret pedagogical rules about Spanish preterite and imperfect. Instructed Second Language Acquisition, 5(1), 40-68. doi: https://doi.org/10.1558/isla.18098

    Kissling, E.M. (2018). Pronunciation instruction can improve L2 learners’ bottom-up processing for listening. Modern Language Journal, 102(4), 653-675. doi: 10.1111/modl.125120026-7902/18/653–675

    Kissling, E.M., & O’Donnell, M.E. (2015). Increasing language awareness and self-efficacy of FL students using self-assessment and the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Language Awareness, 24(4), 283-302. doi: 10.1080/09658416.2015.1099659

    Kissling, E.M. (2015). Phonetics instruction improves learners’ perception of L2 sounds. Language Teaching Research, 19(3), 254-275. doi: 10.1177/1362168814541735

    Kissling, E.M. (2013). Teaching pronunciation: Is explicit phonetics instruction beneficial for FL learners? The Modern Language Journal, 97(3), 720-744.

    Kissling, E.M. (2011). Cross Linguistic Differences in the Immediate Serial Recall of Consonants versus Vowels. Applied Psycholinguistics, 33(3), 605-621.

    Book Chapters

    Kissling, E.M. (2021). La investigación-acción para maestros de hablantes de herencia (Action research for teachers of heritage speakers). In D. Pascual y Cabo & J. Torres (Eds.), Aproximaciones al estudio del español como lengua de herencia (Approaches to the study of Spanish as a heritage language) (233-244). New York: Routledge. 

    Kissling, E.M., Negrete, L., Warren, L., & Tyler, A. (2018). Reexamining por and para in the Spanish foreign language intermediate classroom: A usage-based, cognitive linguistic approach. In A. Tyler, L. Huang, & H. Jan (Eds.), What is Applied Cognitive Linguistics? Answers from Current SLA Research (229-256)Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, Applied Cognitive Linguistics series.

    Brinkwirth, A., Kissling, E.M., Murphy-Judy, K., & Valencia, C. (2007). Technology follows technique: Refocusing the observational lens. In M.A. Kassen, R.Z. Lavine, K. Murphy-Judy & M. Peters (Eds.), Preparing and Developing Technology-proficient L2 Teachers (pp. 165-188). San Marcox, TX: CALICO.

    Additional Publications