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Olga Padilla-FaltoEducation

  • PhD, Applied Linguistics, Georgetown University, 1996
  • MS, Applied Linguistics, Georgetown University, 1992
  • BS, Linguistics & Spanish (dual major), Georgetown University, 1990

Work Experience

  • 2021-present- UNC-Charlotte Teaching Professor and Elementary Spanish Coordinator, Department of Languages and Culture Studies
  • 2018-2021- UNC-Charlotte Lecturer and Elementary Spanish Coordinator, Department of Languages and Culture Studies
  • 2016-2018- UNC-Charlotte, Lecturer, Department of Languages and Culture Studies
  • 2007-2016 – Blacksburg New School
    President, Board of Directors (2007-2012)
    Spanish Lead Teacher (2007-2016)
  • 2004-2007- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Assistant Professor, Department of Foreign Languages and Literature
  • 2000-2004 – Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Foreign Languages and Literature
  • 1996-2000 – University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
    Assistant Professor, English Department
  • 1994-1996 – Georgetown University
     Assistant to the Foreign Language Program Director
  • 1991-1996 – Georgetown University
    Lecturer in Spanish as a Foreign Language
  • 1994 – Georgetown University Language Laboratory
    Translator
  • 1990-1992 – Center for Applied Linguistics
    Research Assistant
  • 1992 – US Language School
    Special Contractor

Courses Taught

  • Spanish Phonetics
  • History of the Spanish Language
  • Advanced Grammar and Style
  • Writing Intensive Spanish
  • Introduction to Spanish Linguistics
  • Latin American Spanish (language variation)
  • Spanish Language Variation (Dialectology)
  • Second Language Acquisition
  • Testing and Materials for ESL
  • Phonetics of American English
  • Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced ESL
  • Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Spanish as a Second Language
  • Elementary Spanish in Hybrid (50% online), online and F2F  formats
  • K-8 Spanish as a Second Language

Teaching

Applied Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition, Second Language Teachers’ Preparation, Second Language Testing, Spanish as a Second Language, Language Variation (Dialectology), Advanced Grammar, Language Teaching Methodology, ESL, Heritage Learners

Research Interests

Second language acquisition, language learning in the classroom, individual differences in language learning, learning/teaching grammar, bilingualism, Spanish in the US, inclusive language in the classroom, heritage learners, equity in the classroom

Awards and Recognitions

  • Certificate for Teaching Excellence 2006-2007, VT
  • Distinguished Student Award – Linguistics Department, May 1990
  • Cuca Esquinazi-Mayo Award for distinguished student in the Spanish Department, May 1990
  • Member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
  • Georgetown University Dean’s List Spring 1989, Spring 1990
  • Recipient of the US Department of Education’s Title VII Fellowship 1990-1993