Welcome! I am María Fernanda Villalobos-Buehner, Professor of Spanish, TESOL, Bilingual, and World Language Education at Rider University. My research examines the motivational, cognitive, and sociocultural dimensions of language learning and teaching, with a particular focus on language learning motivation, teacher and learner cognition, multilingual education, intercultural competence, and the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in language education. Grounded in both theory and classroom practice, my work aims at better understand how learners and teachers develop the knowledge, beliefs, and identities that shape meaningful language learning. Beyond my research, I have had the privilege of serving as a National Screening Committee member for the U.S. Fulbright Program and as a U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist, collaborating with educators around the world to support language education initiatives and professional development. Through research, teaching, and international partnerships, I aim at advancing equitable, evidence-based approaches that prepare language educators and learners to flourish in an increasingly interconnected world.
Education
- ACTFL OPI Tester of Spanish with Full Certification
- Ph.D. in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education, Michigan State University – USA
- M.A. in Applied Linguistics and TEFL, Portsmouth University – England
- B.A. in Modern Languages with Emphasis in Spanish, English, and French, Universidad del Valle – Colombia
Dissertation
- “Study Abroad Programs and their Effect on Possible Language 2 Selves Development and Language Learning Strategies”
This study explored the role of study abroad programs in the development of future images of a language learner as a L2 speaker and the effect of these images in the student’s language learning motivation.
Master’s Thesis
- “IRC a New Way of Communication” – A semiotic analysis of the characters and acronyms used in the earlier stages of chat rooms.
Research Interests
- Language learning motivation and identity
- Teacher cognition and language teacher education
- Artificial Intelligence in language education
- Translanguaging, multilingualism, intercultural competence, and inclusive pedagogy
Publications
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (in review). Exploring Language Learning Motivation Through Chatbot Use: A Self-Determination Theory Approach
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (in review). The Motivational beliefs of pre-service language teachers
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F (in press). Exploring the interconnection of motivational beliefs of pre-service language teachers.
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (2025). TESOL Bangladesh Journal, AI Realities: Implications for Language Educators, 2(2)
- Villalobos-Buehner, M. (2024). Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity in the Language Classroom through Choice, Mastery, and Community: A Motivational Approach. Nelta Journal, 29 (1), 194-202. https://doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v29i1.72647
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (2021). A Habermasian Approach to the Examination of Language Teachers’ Cognitive Interests. Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisition, 7(1), 11-31. https://doi.org/10.31261/TAPSLA.8229
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (2021). “An Examination of Language Teachers’ Cognitive Interests” in Bigelow, M., & Paesani, K. (Eds.). (2021). Diversity and Transformation in Language Teacher Education: Selected Papers from the 10th and 11th Language Teacher Education Conferences (CARLA Working Paper Series). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition.
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (2020). Fostering cultural competence awareness and dispositions to reach thirdness or decentering by engaging in intercultural dialogue. Eurocall Review 28(1), 26-39. https://doi.org/10.4995/eurocall.2020.12206.
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (Summer 2019). "The motivational self of the novice language learner." Language Learning in Higher Education: Journal of the European Confederation of Language Centres in Higher Education. Special Section: Language learning for and with refugees in higher education. Editors: Fiona Dalziel and Francesca Helm, 9(1), pp. 203-221.
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (2019). Fostering cultural competence awareness by engaging in intercultural dialogue – a telecollaboration partnership. In F. Meunier, J. Van de Vyver, L. Bradley & S. Thouësny (Eds), CALL and complexity– short papers from EUROCALL 2019 (pp. 1-6). Research-publishing.net. https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2019.38.1040
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (2015). The roles of competence perception, identities, and selves in language learning. The Language Educator. 10(4): 44-48
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (2015). Exploring identity in the language classroom. The Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Review.76: 51-64 http://www.nectfl.org/sites/g/files/g784796/f/201509/NECTFL_76.pdf
- Villalobos-Buehner, M.F. (2015) The role of study abroad programs in the development of possible L2 selves. Revista Electrónica del Lenguaje. V1: 1-22. ISSN 2387-1598 http://www.revistaelectronicalenguaje.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Vol-I-Art-03.pdf
Student Theses
- Livesey, Alexandra- BA Thesis (2019). High school students’ perspectives on their language learning process.
- Hassan, Latheefa – MA Thesis (2021). The implementation of a narrow reading approach in a secondary school in the Maldives.
Course Design and Instruction
- Educating and evaluating the bilingual child
- Introduction to linguistics and psycholinguistics
- Teaching a second language
- Spanish levels 1 through 4
- Spanish II- abroad: Costa Rica, Colombia and Barcelona
- Advanced grammar and composition
- Spanish for business
- Spanish culture and civilization
International Engagement
- U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist
- National Screening Committee Member, Fulbright U.S. Program
- Faculty Lead for the Lauder Institute Summer Immersion in Bogotá - UPenn
- Study Abroad leadership
- International keynote addresses
- Workshops in Bangladesh, Nepal, Spain, Colombia, etc.
Honors and Awards
- 2026: English Language Specialist by the US Department of State: Peru
- 2013-2025: Summer Research Fellowships given by Rider University
- 2025: Henry J. Frank Recognition of Exemplary Membership Award by AAUP- Rider University’s Chapter
- 2024: Bertram Mott Award by AAUP- Rider University’s Chapter
- 2024: English Language Specialist by the US Department of State: Bangladesh and Nepal
- 2017: PHI BETA DELTA Honor Society for International Scholars
- 2017: Mazzotti Women’s Leadership Award
- 2012: Online Teaching and Course Development Grant given by Rider University’s Distance Learning Advisory Committee
- 2011: G.I.F.T.T. Faculty Development Grant given by Rider University’s Teaching with Technology Committee
- 2006: Clyde M. Campbell Endowed Fellowship given by Michigan State University’s College of Education
- 2005: Pew Teaching with Technology Award by Modern Languages Department at Grand Valley State University
- 2005: 2005 Outstanding Adult Learner Award by the HALE Department at Michigan State University
- 2004: King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Award
- 2003: Donald H. Nickerson Fellowship in Cultural Diversity and Minority Concerns given by Michigan State University’s College of Education
- 1995: Spanish Teacher Assistantship in the United Kingdom given by the British Council.