World Languages and Cultures

Language Resource Center

Issa, Bernard

Issa, Bernard

Faculty

Bernard Issa

Bernard Issa

Bernard Issa is an Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics with a specialization in Second Language Acquisition. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. His dissertation research, supported by National Science Foundation and Language Learning dissertation grants, employed eye-tracking to investigate how learners allocate their attention under different instructional interventions. Bernard’s broader research agenda examines how individual difference variables (e.g., motivation, attention, second language use, and working memory) relate to the learning and processing of second language grammar and furthermore, understand how those variables interact with learner external factors such as type of instructional intervention and learning context.

Bernard also serves as the First-Year Spanish Language Program Director and the Language Training Coordinator for Graduate Students.

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Issa, B., Morgan-Short, K., Villegas, B., & Raney, G. (2015). An Eye-tracking Study on the Role of Attention and its Relationship with Motivation. EUROSLA Yearbook, 15, 114-142. doi:10.1075/eurosla.15.05iss
  • Issa, B. I., & Morgan-Short, K. (2019). Effects of external and internal attentional allocation on second language grammar development: An eye-tracking study. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 41(2), 389-417. doi:10.1017/S027226311800013X
  • Morgan-Short, K., Marsden, E., Heil, J., Issa, B. I., Leow, R. P., Mikhaylova, A., . . . Szudarskik, P. (2018). Multisite Replication in Second Language Acquisition Research: Attention to Form During Listening and Reading Comprehension. Language Learning, 68(2), 392-437. doi:10.1111/lang.12292
  • Zalbidea, J., Issa, B., Faretta-Stutenberg, M., & Sanz, C. (2020. Initial proficiency and L2 grammar development during short-term immersion abroad: Conceptual and methodological insights. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 1-29. doi:10.1017/S0272263120000376
  • Issa, B.I., Faretta–Stutenberg, M. and Bowden, H.W. (2020), Grammatical and Lexical Development During Short‐Term Study Abroad: Exploring L2 Contact and Initial Proficiency. The Modern Language Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12677

Book Chapters

  • Bowden, H., & Issa, B. I. (2018). Neurolinguistic Approaches to Spanish as a Heritage Language. In K. Potowski (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Spanish as a Minority/Heritage Language.
  • Issa, B. I., & Zalbidea, J. (2018). Proficiency Levels in Study Abroad: Is There an Optimal Time for Sojourning?. In C. Sanz, & A. Morales-Front (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Study Abroad Research and Practice.
  • Issa, B. I. (2019). Examining the relationships between attentional allocation, working memory and second language development: An eye-tracking study.. In R. P. Leow (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Second Language Research in Classroom Learning (pp. 464-479).

Phone: 865-974-8987

Email: bissa@utk.edu

Education

Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago

Ready to join us?

Declare your major / minor

Ready to join us?

Declare your major / minor

Upcoming Events

  1. Screening of Disney's Encanto

    Screening of Disney's Encanto

    Bienvenidos a clases! Join Latin American & Caribbean Studies in celebrating our continued interdisciplinary programming on the theme of Magic & Reality. Students will enjoy...

    Screening of Disney's Encanto
    Date
    Location
    John C Hodges Library
    Screening of Disney's Encanto 03:00 pm - John C Hodges Library
(Edit)