Matt Anderson

Why FSU?

The Spanish Program in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics offered what I felt was the strongest sense of community and the most opportunities for growth. I came to the program not knowing whether to pursue literature or linguistics, but I was offered the opportunity to explore both. I also enjoy how much we are involved in basic language instruction. Where other programs offered TA positions, we are essentially trained as instructors and gain invaluable experience teaching and managing our own classes.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I’m one of those “forever student” types. I never want to stop learning, and language just happens to be the subject that draws me in the most. I am from a small town, and so I did not experience a lot of diversity up front, but learning about other languages and cultures made me excited about the world and how other people live. I wanted to continue to study languages for as long as I could, and now, I also want to share the value of what I am passionate about with others as much as I can.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

One important aspect of my research is combining sociolinguistic questions with psycholinguistic methods. In this way, I explore the intersections of language, society, and the brain. I am using this approach to explore a more comprehensive model of language comprehension, where individual experiences may differentially shape processing strategies. I also highlight intersections of language and culture by investigating Spanish-English codeswitching (i.e., ‘Spanglish’). While often stigmatized, codeswitching is an intricate rule-based language system in and of itself.

Career aspirations

I would like to become a professor where I can teach and continue research in Applied Linguistics. I hope to continue to teach Spanish, but also courses in Hispanic Linguistics, because I love to teach what I am passionate about and help others succeed. I especially would love to work at a university emphasizing teaching and mentorship.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Seek community within your department. Your professors and your peers are all there for the same reasons as you. Also, be ready to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. That’s how you get the most out of it! Give yourself permission to explore.

Accomplishments during graduate career

Some of my most fulfilling accomplishments stem from working with undergraduate students outside the classroom. For one, I directed the Spanish Conversation Table to help aspiring Spanish learners delve deeper with the language. This particularly hits home for me because I used to go to Spanish Conversation Tables and have always appreciated them. I have also enjoyed serving as a mentor with the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. I am the first graduate student in my family, so there was a learning curve to doing research. I feels good to help motivated students get that head start.

I also received a couple of awards: FSU Spanish Program Service Award (2019) and Outstanding Graduate Student Award (2020, 2022), Language Learning Dissertation Grant (2021), FSU Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Materials Grant (2022)