M. Gabriela Puscama

I'm originally from Mendoza, Argentina. I'm an educator and researcher in Linguistics. I teach Spanish and study how people learn and process a second language. When I'm not working, I love cooking, traveling, studying languages, and learning different dances and crafts.

Soy orginaria de Mendoza, Argentina. Soy docente e investigadora en lingüística. Doy clases de español y estudio cómo las personas aprenden y procesan una segunda lengua. Cuando no estoy trabajando, me encanta cocinar, viajar, estudiar idiomas y aprender distintos tipos de danza y manualidades.

Curriculum Vitae

RESEARCH / INVESTIGACIÓN

My Research Interests / Mis Intereses de Investigación

I am interested in the processes that adults undergo when learning a second language (L2), and how lab-based research can inform and improve classroom practices. I study different aspects of L2 acquisition, such as vocabulary learning, semantic network development, anticipatory processes in L2 learners, and pronunciation of L2 phonetic contrasts. I also have experience studying lexical retrieval in L2 learners and heritage speakers, statistical learning, and translation studies.

Estoy interesada en el proceso que atraviesan los adultos cuando están aprendiendo una segunda lengua (L2), y también cómo la investigación experimental puede informar y mejorar las prácticas de enseñanza. Estudio diferentes aspectos de la adquisición de L2, como aprendizaje de vocabulario, desarrollo de redes semánticas, procesos anticipatorios en hablantes de L2 y pronunciación de contrastes fonéticos en L2. También tengo experiencia en el estudio del acceso léxico en estudiantes de L2 y hablantes de herencia, aprendizaje estadístico y estudios de traducción.

Selected Publications / Publicaciones Selectas

Puscama, M. G. & Carlson, M. T. (revising to resubmit). Acoustic correlates of diphthong/hiatus contrast in L2 Spanish Learners. Language & Speech.
Puscama, M. G. (under review). Semantic network development in L2 Spanish and its impact on processing skills: A multi-session eye-tracking study. Languages.
Connell, K., Puscama, M. G., Pinzon-Coimbra, J., Rembalsky, J., Xu, G., Valdés Kroff, J., Bajo Molina, M. T., & Dussias, P. E. (2021). Phonologically cued lexical anticipation in L2 English: A visual world eye-tracking study. Proceedings of the 45th Annual Boston University Conference on Language Development (BUCLD). (Eds. D. Dionne and L. A. Vidal Covas). Boston University, Boston, MA, 171-183.
Shport, I., Dorado, D., & Puscama, M. G. (2018). Lexical access in English-Spanish bilinguals: A comparison of heritage speakers and late learners. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 8(3), 372-392. doi:http://doi.org/10.1075/lab.17039.shp.

My Current Projects / Mis Proyectos Actuales

Themes vs. Co-Occurrence: How L2 Vocabulary Presentation Affects Acquisition, Storing, and Processing

Click here to download my poster and references from HSP 2023.

This projects studies how different exposure to L2 vocabulary shapes the connections in the mental lexicon, using network modeling. I am interested in how we can teach vocabulary to build a lexicon that allows for effective word retrieval during spontaneous communication. Stay tunned for upcoming publication!

Vocabulary presentation in thematic lists vs. Vocabulary by co-occurrence in scenes

[pi.an.o] or [pja.no]? Diphthong/hiatus production in L1 English L2 Spanish learners

Click here to see a video presentation of this project.

Can English speakers pronounce phonetic contrasts in second language Spanish?

In English /ia/ is pronounced as two syllables (hiatus), as in piano pi-an-o.
In Spanish /ia/ can be two syllables or one syllable (diphthong), e.g., piano pia-no vs. María Ma-rí-a.
English speakers were recorded reading Spanish words with /ia/, some with diphthong and some with hiatus.
Results indicate that they are able to produce a contrast similar to Spanish speakers.

TOP

TEACHING / DOCENCIA

I have experience teaching foreign languages, translation, linguistics, and other courses in Argentina and the United States. In Mendoza, Argentina I have worked in Universidad Nacional de Cuyo and Universidad del Aconcagua, teaching introductory linguistics courses as well as production and comprehension of academic texts in Med School and Law School. In the United States I have taught at Louisiana State University, The Pennsylvania State University, and University of Florida courses in Linguistics, Spanish and Italian. Additionally, I have experience in higher ed education administration, as I worked for two years as Content Supervisor for the Spanish Basic Language Program at Penn State. I am currently the Coordinator for Beginner Spanish I at the University of Florida.

Tengo experiencia dando clases de idioma, traducción, lingüística y otros cursos en Argentina y en Estados Unidos. En Mendoza, Argentina he trabajado en la Universidad Nacional de Cuyo y en la Universidad del Aconcagua, dando cursos de introducción a la lingüística así como también cursos de producción y comprensión de textos académicos, para estudiantes de Medicina y de Derecho. En Estados Unidos he trabajado en Louisiana State University, The Pennsylvania State University y University of Florida enseñando cursos de lingüística, español e italiano. Además, tengo experiencia en cargos administrativos en educación superior, ya que trabajé por dos años como Supervisora de Contenido en el Programa de Lengua Básica Española en Penn State. Actualmente soy la Coordinadora de Español 1 en University of Florida.

Teaching Statement

Courses taught / Clases que he enseñado

Graduate Seminar: Approaches to L2 Vocabulary Acquisition | University of Florida
Spanish Second Language Acquisition | University of Florida
Bilingual Language and Thought | University of Florida
Intensive Communication Skills | University of Florida
Spanish-English Translation | Penn State University
Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | Penn State University
Sample lesson (in Spanish)
Beginner Spanish Language | Penn State University & University of Florida
Intermediate Spanish Language | Louisiana State University & Penn State University
Beginner Italian Language | Penn State University
Comprensión y producción de textos académicos [Academic Reading and Writing] | Universidad del Aconcagua and Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (Mendoza, Argentina)
Fundamentos de lingüística [Introduction to Linguistics] | Universidad del Aconcagua (Mendoza, Argentina)

Sample Syllabi / Programas de clase

HOBBIES

When I'm not working, I love doing different activities to relax. I really enjoy dancing, and I've taken classes in different styles through the years. Also, I recently picked up embroidery, and I'm still learning basic techniques. Finally, one of my biggest passions is traveling, and I try to visit a new city every change I get. See some pics of my hobbies in the photo gallery below!

Cuando no estoy trabajando, me encanta hacer diferentes actividades para relajarme. Bailar es una actividad que disfruto mucho, y he tomado clases de diferentes estilos a lo largo de los años. También, recientemente empecé a bordar, y todavía estoy aprendiendo las técnicas básicas. Finalmente, una de mis mayores pasiones es viajar, y trato de visitar una ciudad nueva cada vez que puedo. ¡Mirá algunas fotos de mis hobbies en la galería de imágenes!