Kira Gulko Morse

Kira Gulko Morse, Advanced Instructor of English

Department of English
216 Shanks Hall
181 Turner Street NW
Blacksburg, VA 24061
kgmorse@vt.edu

Dr. Kira Gulko Morse is an advanced instructor in the Department of English at Virginia Tech. Prior to coming to Virginia Tech, Dr. Morse taught at Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, Texas A&M University (Kingsville and Corpus Christi campuses), and at the University of Bahrain in the Middle East. Her primary research interests are in the issues of personal identity and language choice, as well as the methodology of teaching English as a second and foreign language.

Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, Dr. Morse has received university degrees both in Ukraine and the United States, which has given her better understanding of the diversity in educational approaches. She speaks English, Ukrainian, and Russian with native-like proficiency, and has taken classes in a number of other languages. She has lived in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, and has travelled extensively around the world, which has enriched her perspective on human relations, lifestyles, and choices.

Apart from her professional endeavors, she enjoys playing the piano and spending time with her husband and three children.

Principal Areas of Research Focus

Language Choice and Identity
Individual Language Shift
Second Language Acquisition
Second/Foreign Language Teaching Methodology
Academic Writing Teaching Methodology

Education

Ed.D. in Bilingual Education, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, Texas, 2012
Dissertation: The Role of Personal Choice in Individual Language Shift
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Foundations, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 2001
Graduate Project: Stereotypes and Generalizations in American Education
M.A. in English Philology, Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, Kyiv, Ukraine, 1999
Thesis: Stylistic Peculiarities of English Proverbs and Sayings
B.A. in Linguistics, TESOL Minor, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1999
B.A. in English Philology, Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, Kyiv, Ukraine, 1998

Publications

Morse, K. G. (2020). [Untitled]. Roots & Resettlement, 1, 16. https://online.fliphtml5.com/cbedh/azeu
Morse, K. (2020, January). The construct of personal choice within individual language shift: A phenomenological qualitative study. Paper presented at the International Conference on First Language Acquisition and Applied Linguistics, Zurich, Switzerland. Abstract retrieved from https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/112861/the-construct-of-personal-choice-within-individual-language-shift-a-phenomenological-qualitative-study.
Morse, K. (2011). Debate: A tool for language learning. Journal of Border Educational Research, 10 (1).
Morse, K. (2009, February). [Review of the book Strategies for teaching boys & girls: Elementary level, grades PreK-5]. Education Review. Retrieved from http://edrev.asu.edu/brief/feb09.html#6
Morse, K. and Torres, R. (2008). [Review of the book The cultural dimension in focus: Promoting awareness of diversity and respect for difference in a Finland–Swedish EFL classroom]. The Modern Language Journal, 92, 336-337.
Morse, K. (2008, June). [Review of the book Strong teens, grades 9-12: A social & emotional learning curriculum]. Education Review. Retrieved from http://edrev.asu.edu/brief/june08.html
Morse, K. and Gulko, Z. (2004). Метод проектів у Кловському ліцеї (Project-based curriculum in Klovsky Lyceum). Innovation Potential of Project-based Curriculum in Educational Establishments. Kyiv, Ukraine: Kyiv Pechersk State Administration.
Morse, K. (2002). Localization as an essential component of translation. Language, Education, Culture: Integration Trends in Contemporary World. Vinnytsia, Ukraine: Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
Morse, K. (2001). Bilingualism: A child’s language. English Language Learning. Khmelnitsky, Ukraine: TESOL-Ukraine.
Morse, K. (2000). Stylistic peculiarities of English proverbs and sayings. English Language Learning. Khmelnitsky, Ukraine: TESOL-Ukraine.

Professional Presentations

Presenter, American Association for Applied Linguistics Conference, Portland, Oregon, 2023
Topic: Choosing Ukrainian: Language as a Defensive Weapon in a Time of War
Presenter, Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy, Blacksburg, Virginia, 2023
Topic: Language Isn't the Only Challenge: Multicultural Awareness in Curriculum Design
Presenter, Corridors: The Blue Ridge Writing and Rhetoric Conference, Blacksburg, Virginia, 2020
Topic: Culture Inclusive Considerations for English Language Learners in First-year Composition Curriculum
Session Chair and Presenter, International Conference on First Language Acquisition and Applied Linguistics, Zurich, Switzerland, 2020
Topic: The Construct of Personal Choice within Individual Language Shift: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study
Presenter, Bilingual Education Conference, Kingsville, Texas, 2015
Topic: The Role of Personal Choice in Individual Language Shift
Presenter, Faculty Training, Department of Language & Literature, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 2014
Topic: Subjectivity in Academic Writing
Presenter, Faculty Training, Department of Language & Literature, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 2014
Topic: Short In-Class Essays as a Successful Writing Exercise
Presenter, Bilingual Education Conference, Kingsville, Texas, 2011
Topic: It Is Not Just About Bella and Edward: Young Adult Literature in ESL Classroom
Presenter, Bilingual Education Conference, Kingsville, Texas, 2009
Topic: Language Dominance Shift: Can You Choose Your Language?
Presenter, National Association for Bilingual Education Conference, Austin, Texas, 2009
Topic: First Language Choice
Presenter, Primer Encuentro de Egresados de Lingüística Aplicada y Estudiantes de Ciencias del Lenguaje, Monterrey, Mexico, 2008
Topic: Non-Traditional EFL Curriculum
Presenter, Bilingual Education Conference, Kingsville, Texas, 2008
Topic: I Can Read What I Can Write: Language Experience Approach
Presenter, Bilingual Education Conference, Kingsville, Texas, 2007
Topic: Debate as a Tool for Language Learning
Co-Presenter, Project Methodology in the Context of Comparative Pedagogy, Kyiv, Ukraine, 2004
Topic: Project-based Curriculum in American Education
Presenter, International TESOL Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2002
Topic: Debate as a Tool for EFL Learning
Presenter, Summer School on American Studies, Khmelnitsky, Ukraine, 2001
Topic: Stereotypes and Generalizations
Keynote Speaker, TESOL-Ukraine Forum, Khmelnitsky, Ukraine, 2000
Topic: Importance of Scholarly Research and Conference Presentations
Presenter, Deseret Language and Linguistics Symposium, Provo, Utah, 2000
Topic: Stylistic Peculiarities of English Proverbs and Sayings