Experience

Northwestern University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate Professor of Instruction

  • Sep 2022 - Present

  Julia Oliver Rajan es profesora asociada de instrucción en la Universidad de Northwestern en donde enseña español y cursos para hablantes de herencia. Es también evaluadora de español certificada por el Consejo Americano para la Enseñanza de Lenguas Extranjeras (con sus siglas en inglés ACTFL). Ha sido presidenta del V Simposio del Español como Lengua de Herencia y editora del número especial de Hispanic Studies Review dedicado al "Español como lengua de herencia". Desarrolló un archivo digital sobre el dialecto de la zona cafetalera de su país natal, Puerto Rico. Esta colección, Coffee Zone: Del cafetal al futuro, fue financiado por una beca de la Iniciativa de Artes y Humanidades, y de la Oficina de Artes y Humanidades Digitales de la Universidad de Iowa. Los otros intereses de Julia son la inclusión de las variantes dialectales y tópicos científicos en la enseñanza del español, y el aprendizaje-servicio como herramienta para desarrollar competencias socioculturales. Su libro de texto, Amigos de la comunidad: Curso de aprendizaje-servicio en español ofrece una curiosa metodología para aprender español a través del servicio comunitario y se puede apreciar la utilidad de este libro en una presentación digital organizada por la UNAM Chicago. Julia ha participado en Voces del Español, un podcast producido por Spanish Public Radio y la UNAM Chicago. En el episodio 87, la doctora Oliver Rajan habla sobre cómo los estudiantes aprenden español mientras hacen trabajo voluntario en las comunidades locales de habla hispana. Julia tiene un doctorado en Lingüística Hispánica de la Universidad de Illinois en Chicago (UIC), en donde también coordinó un proyecto financiado con fondos federales en el Colegio de Educación. Aquí trabajó con niños bilingües de las escuelas públicas de Chicago. Esto la llevó a desarrollar un sincero interés y apreciación por la educación bilingüe y los hablantes de herencia. Show less



University of Iowa

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Asoociate Professor of Instruction

  • Aug 2013 - May 2022

  Julia taught Spanish and different linguistic courses. She also created the Spanish for Heritage Speakers' Track and Spanish in the Community, a service-learning course where students learn Spanish while serving their local community. Julia taught Spanish and different linguistic courses. She also created the Spanish for Heritage Speakers' Track and Spanish in the Community, a service-learning course where students learn Spanish while serving their local community.



Kentucky State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Assistant Professor

  • 2008 - 2012

  Taught courses for upperclassmen and graduate students in linguistics, as well as Spanish and Spanish for Health Care Professionals; teaching load included four classes each semester. Designed hybrid course in elementary Spanish, which included in-class conversational practice and exercises posted online; explained grammar in class and provided PowerPoint slides, videos, examples, and exams online. Opened additional sections of online Spanish course; designed it to be easy for other professors to teach. Developed online courses in Spanish for Health Care Professionals and linguistics. Covered topics such as evolution of language; phonology; sociolinguistics; pragmatics; syntax in English; semantics; sign language; nonverbal communication; history of linguistics; and computational linguistics. Geared Spanish course toward nurses, covering language commonly used in medical examinations. Taught bedside manner appropriate for different cultures (Mexican, South American) and words to use to gather medical information. Discussed words related to prevention, nutrition, hygiene, and common illnesses. Incorporated role playing to allow health professionals to practice with “patients.” Earned positive feedback from students for use of real-world examples and sticking to topics at hand Show less



Triton College

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Assistant Professor

  • Aug 2005 - May 2008

  Developed Spanish course for health professionals that attracted physicians, pharmacists, and therapists. Implemented new course for Heritage Speakers, geared toward individuals who spoke Spanish already but were not well versed in grammar, reading, or writing. Launched online courses in beginning Spanish. Developed Spanish course for health professionals that attracted physicians, pharmacists, and therapists. Implemented new course for Heritage Speakers, geared toward individuals who spoke Spanish already but were not well versed in grammar, reading, or writing. Launched online courses in beginning Spanish.



Olive-Harvey College

• Chicago, IL

• Adjunct Professor

  • Aug 2005 - Dec 2005

  Taught basic and intermediate Spanish. Taught basic and intermediate Spanish.



University of Illinois Chicago

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Teaching Assistant /Phonology and Phonetics in English

  • Aug 2004 - May 2005

  Tutored students, reviewed course evaluations, and filled in as lecturer when professor was absent.

• Lecturer/Advanced Composition in Spanish

  • Aug 2003 - May 2005

  Instructed required course for students seeking major or minor in Spanish; emphasized grammar and writing style for students who were already considered to be bilingual.Assigned two essays per week; writing assignments included persuasive essays, informative articles, and poems.

• Lecturer/Introduction to Spanish Linguistics

  • Aug 2004 - Dec 2004

  Included information about history of the language, phonology, syntax, morphology, language variation, and pragmatics.Discussed history and evolution of Spanish and its numerous dialects, including basic introduction to Latin.Incorporated language-in-context topics, making course especially relevant for future Spanish and ESL teachers.



Cendant Mobility

• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Intercultural Facilitator and Language Instructor

  • Aug 2004 - Dec 2004

  Taught Spanish and cultural awareness to small group of business executives over period of six months; these professionals were anticipating extensive travel or relocation to Mexico or South America. Included information about how to conduct business in these countries as well as appropriate language to use in business meetings. Offered cultural tips such as importance of discussing families and personal interests and not shying away from physical touch. Taught Spanish and cultural awareness to small group of business executives over period of six months; these professionals were anticipating extensive travel or relocation to Mexico or South America. Included information about how to conduct business in these countries as well as appropriate language to use in business meetings. Offered cultural tips such as importance of discussing families and personal interests and not shying away from physical touch.



Effective Bilingual Instruction Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Chicago, IL

• Grant Manager and Coordinator

  • Aug 2002 - May 2004

  Managed monies for federally funded teacher education project geared toward bilingual teachers working in Chicago Public Schools, offering opportunities for qualified teachers to receive financial aid toward earning master’s degrees. Facilitated forum discussions about new laws affecting bilingual education; identified workshop speakers. Managed monies for federally funded teacher education project geared toward bilingual teachers working in Chicago Public Schools, offering opportunities for qualified teachers to receive financial aid toward earning master’s degrees. Facilitated forum discussions about new laws affecting bilingual education; identified workshop speakers.



Support and Training for Excellent Professionals in Schools at UIC

• Chicago, IL

• Grant Manager and Coordinator

  • Aug 2002 - May 2004

  Managed monies for federally funded teacher education project geared toward bilingual teachers working in Chicago Public Schools, offering opportunities for qualified teachers to receive financial aid toward earning master’s degrees. Interviewed and observed teachers to develop evaluations and recommendations for program participation. Monitored project activities and budget; wrote reports on teachers’ classroom methodologies and their performance in their own studies. Managed monies for federally funded teacher education project geared toward bilingual teachers working in Chicago Public Schools, offering opportunities for qualified teachers to receive financial aid toward earning master’s degrees. Interviewed and observed teachers to develop evaluations and recommendations for program participation. Monitored project activities and budget; wrote reports on teachers’ classroom methodologies and their performance in their own studies.



St. Francis Xavier University

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Lecturer/Spanish for Medical and Health Personnel

  • Aug 2003 - Dec 2003

  Focused on Spanish terms for medical professionals. Focused on Spanish terms for medical professionals.



Interamerican University

• San German, PR

• Lecturer/English as a Second Language/Comparative Analysis Between English and Spanish Grammar

  • Aug 2001 - May 2002

  Participated in development of courses geared toward teachers of English. Conducted classes in English and began basic online elements such as posting quizzes on Internet. Identified commonalities in structure across both languages to help students with translation from Spanish to English. History of English and Spanish Participated in development of courses geared toward teachers of English. Conducted classes in English and began basic online elements such as posting quizzes on Internet. Identified commonalities in structure across both languages to help students with translation from Spanish to English. History of English and Spanish



University of Illinois Chicago

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Lecturer/Advanced Composition in Spanish

  • 1996 - 1999

  Instructed required course for students seeking major or minor in Spanish; emphasized grammar and writing style for students who were already considered to be bilingual. Assigned two essays per week; writing assignments included persuasive essays, informative articles, and poems. Instructed required course for students seeking major or minor in Spanish; emphasized grammar and writing style for students who were already considered to be bilingual. Assigned two essays per week; writing assignments included persuasive essays, informative articles, and poems.