Assistant Professor · Applied Linguistics · Language Assessment ·
Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
Academic Publications
EFL Fluency & Reading Aloud
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., Ferrer, E., & Linero, J. (2025). Digital reading aloud protocols and their effects on EFL fluency. System, 133(1).
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., & Calle-Díaz, L. (2023). Fluency development beyond speech rate: A study on the effects of reading aloud protocols on EFL learners. Ampersand, 11, 100–133.
Language Testing & Assessment
- Shin, J.Y., Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., Swatek, A. & Ginther, A. (2022). APTIS Test Review. Language Testing, 39(1), 172–187.
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2021). Book Review: Integrating Assessment into Early Language Learning and Teaching. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.
- Vahed, S. & Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2021). Book Review: Local Language Testing. Assessing Writing, 49.
Corpus Linguistics & Grammar
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., & Concu, V. (2025). Corpus applications in ELT in Colombia. Profile, 27(1), 115–131.
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. & Swatek, A. (2022). Exploring the effect of corpus-informed and conventional homework materials on fostering EFL students' grammatical construction learning. System, 104(1).
- Thirakunkovit, S., Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., Park, K., & Staples, S. (2019). A corpus-based analysis on syntactic complexity as a measure of oral English proficiency of international teaching assistants. English for Specific Purposes, 53, 74–89.
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2015). Review of Corpus Linguistics and Linguistically Annotated Corpora. Language Learning and Technology, 19(3), 56–60.
Study Abroad & Internationalization
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., & Denny, H. (2024). Study abroad in writing centers in Colombia and the USA. Íkala, 29(3), 1–19.
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., & O'Neil, D. (2024). Underprepared overachievers: A study of Latin American graduate students studying abroad in the United States. The Journal of Higher Education, 95(5), 639–666.
- O'Neil, D., Park, K., & Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2022). Social integration and campus internationalization through performing arts volunteerism. Journal of Studies in International Education, 27(3), 387–407.
ICT & Digital Learning
- De Castro, A. et al. (2015). The effect of ICT use on reading comprehension in Spanish as a mother tongue (L1). Revista de Investigación Educativa, 10(5), 43–49.
- De Castro, A. et al. (2014). Reading Comprehension and ICT in Higher Education. Apertura, 6(1).
- Robles H. & Rodríguez-Fuentes R. (2013). A virtual environment for critical thinking skills in ESL. Zona Próxima, 19(2), 73–85.
Book Chapters, Reports, and Manuscripts
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., Corrales, K., Rey, L. & Rosado, N. (2022). Promoting communicative and intercultural competences development through virtual exchanges. In M. Allen, S. Ene, & K. McIntosh (Eds.), Building internationalized spaces: Second language perspectives on developing language and cultural exchange programs in higher education. University of Michigan Press, 79–100. https://dx.doi.org/10.3998/mpub.11762571
De Castro, A, Robles, H., Álvarez, S., Díaz, D., Cantillo, M., Carbonó, V., Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., Guerra, D., & González, R. (2016). Reading comprehension and ICT in higher education. In A. Martínez & A. De Castro (Eds.), Classrooms Unveiled: Practice, with research, is changed. Ediciones Uninorte, 131–152. http://manglar.uninorte.edu.co/handle/10584/5884#page=1
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2015). Content validation of a reading comprehension test in L1: First steps towards its enhancement. Purdue University.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. & Swatek, A. (2026). Learning EFL in formal and informal contexts: Comparison between classroom and Duolingo instruction. Computer Assisted Language Learning.
Rodriguez-Fuentes, R. & Zhang, Q. Tracking fluency development through digital read aloud protocols and fine-grained measures.
Cheng, L. & Rodriguez-Fuentes, R. Text ease and readability assessment of human- versus ChatGPT-generated Listen-to-Summarize conversation scripts.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., Mackenzie, L., & Robles, H. Text mining the official news outlets of EFL policy in Colombia: a socio-critical approach.
Allen M. & Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. DOGs and CATs: A model for balancing collaborative learning and individual assessment in the classroom.
Steenhuisen, K. & Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. Development of bilingual codification in 6-year-old children: A Case Study.
Test and Content Development
Standard Setting
Test Development
Team member participation
- Oral English Proficiency Test — Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. February 2016 – December 2018
- Assessment of College English, International — Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. February 2014 – December 2014
Team leader
- Glocal Kids Assessments — British Council - Barranquilla District, Col. November 2023 – December 2024
Content Development
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. et al. (2017). MLA Formatting and Style Guide. Available at Purdue OWL: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. et al. (2015-2016). Items for the Oral English Proficiency Test (OEPT) at Purdue. Available at: https://oept.ace-in-testing.com/
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. et al. (2015-2016). Items for ACE-In (Assessment of College English International). Available at: https://ace-in-testing/delmarsd.com/
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., & Li, X. (August 2016). MwALT Best Student Paper Rubric. Available at: http://mwalt.msu.edu/files/7614/4953/1521/RubricforMwALTBestStudentPaper_FINAL2016.pdf
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., & Campbell, M. (2014). A Quick Guide to Active versus Passive Voice. Available at Purdue OWL: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20141205103457_539.pdf
- Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. & Campbell, M. (2014). A Quick Bibliographic Guide for Online Journals in MLA from Scholarly Journals. Available at Purdue OWL: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20141205095415_747.pdf
Presentations — International Conferences
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2021, November). A socio-critical perspective of English in Colombia. Paper presented at the XVI Language Forum (Online). Organizer: Universidad Popular del Cesar.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2021, June). Panel on Remote evaluation of reading and writing in foreign language. 5th International Congress: Reading and Writing on the Global Society (Online). Organizers: Universidad del Norte, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2025, March). Panel: Global perspectives on AI in ELT. TESOL International Convention & Expo – Long Beach, CA.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2025, March). Intersection Session: Issues at the intersection of higher education and teacher training. TESOL International Convention & Expo – Long Beach, CA.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (2025, April). Panel on Ethical issues in AI in applied linguistics and foreign language education. Organizer: Universidad del Valle – Cali, Colombia.
International Presentations — As Speaker
2026
Cheng, L., & Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. A. Text ease and readability assessment of human- versus ChatGPT-generated Listen-to-Summarize conversation scripts [Paper]. 47th Language Testing Research Colloquium (LTRC), Montreal, Canada.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. A. & Zhang, Q. Tracking Fluency Development Through Digital Read Aloud Protocols and Fine-Grained Measures [Paper Presentation]. American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) 2026 Conference, Chicago, IL.
2025
Cheng, L., & Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. A. Readability comparisons of human- and ChatGPT-generated assessment materials [Paper]. 26th MwALT Conference, Rosemont, IL.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. & Swatek, A. Learning EFL in formal and informal contexts. SSLLT – Kalisz, Poland.
2024
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. AI applications in language assessment. IV International Symposium on Interlinguistic and Intercultural Contacts and XXVIII National Congress of ACOLPROF – Cali, Colombia.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. Underprepared overachievers: A study of Latin American graduate students studying abroad in the United States. World Congress of Applied Linguistics (AILA) – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. & Swatek, A. Investigating Learners' Progress in EFL in a Spanish L1 Context: Comparing Duolingo and College Instruction. AAAL Conference – Houston, TX.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. A comparison between classroom and MALL instruction with Duolingo. Research Meetup (Online). Organizer: Duolingo Inc.
2023
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. Exploring the effect of read aloud protocols on the EFL fluency in college students. Hawaii International Conference on English and Literature Studies (HICELLS) – Hilo, HI.
2022
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. Promoting speaking skills in EFL virtual scenarios. Fulbright Lecture. Organizer: Fulbright Colombia.
2021
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. Read aloud protocols and oral EFL fluency development at the college level. Conference on Language Teaching and Learning: TESOL Beyond – Cali, Colombia.
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. Linguistic and Cultural Factors in Graduate School Admissions. World Congress of Applied Linguistics (AILA online conference).
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. & Rey, L. How external tests affect instruction in an EFL program. New Directions in Assessment Latin America Conference (Online). Organizer: British Council.
2020
O'Neil, D., Park, K. and Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. The social integration of international students through performing arts volunteerism. MITESOL Conference (Online).
2018
Allen, M. and Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. CATs and DOGs: A heuristic to balance collaborative learning and assessment in the classroom. Classroom Assessment for Language Teaching Conference (CALT) – Athens, OH.
2016
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. Analyzing the performance on a test with different types of teaching materials. American Association of Corpus Linguistics Conference, Iowa City, IA and Second Language Research Forum (SLRF) – New York, NY.
Park, K., Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., Thirakunkovit, S. A corpus-based analysis on syntactic complexity as a measure of oral English proficiency of international teaching assistants. AAAL Conference – Orlando, FL.
2015
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R., Thirakunkovit, S., Park, K. A corpus-based analysis on syntactic complexity as a measure of oral English proficiency of international teaching assistants. Second Language Research Forum (SLRF) – Atlanta, GA.
2014
Rodríguez-Fuentes R. & Robles H. Mobile technology and reading comprehension. Ibero-American Congress on Reading and Writing – Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2013
Rodríguez-Fuentes R., Robles, H., De Castro, A., Diaz, D. Reading comprehension of Spanish as a mother tongue mediated by ICT. International Congress of Literacy – Barranquilla, Colombia.
2011
Rodríguez-Fuentes R. Twitter as an Interacting tool to develop integrated skills. Latin-American UNESCO Chairs – Barranquilla, Colombia.
2010
Rodríguez-Fuentes R. Pedagogical reflections on Twitter for educational purposes. 6th Language Forum. Valledupar, Colombia.
Workshops, Training Sessions, and Certifications
Workshop and training leader at various national and international institutions.
Ethics in AI Tools Applied to Education
Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Col. 2026
Making AI work for you
Universidad del Norte, 2025
AI applications in assessment and testing
Universidad del Valle, Col. 2024
Aligning instruction and assessment in public schools
British Council / Ministry of Education 2024
Creating effective rubrics in the classroom
Marymount School / Windsor School, 2023
Intensive writing experience for faculty
Universidad del Norte, 2022–2025
Promoting fluency development in EFL in virtual education
Fulbright Program, 2021
Classroom assessment procedures 101
Universidad del Norte, 2021
Intro: testing and assessment procedures in higher education
Purdue University, USA, 2017
Seminar in language educational policy
Ministry of Education, Col. 2008
Awards and Memberships
Awards
Kathleen M. Bailey Teacher-Research Award 2025 — The International Research Foundation for English Language Education, TIRF
Distinguished Alumni 2024 — Commemoration of the 85th Foundation Anniversary of INSTPECAM
Kneale Award for Best Paper in Second Language Studies/ESL 2018 — Purdue University
Midwest Association of Language Testers (MwALT) Student Representative 2015–2016
Fulbright Scholar Grant for Doctoral Studies (2013)
Valedictorian Honoree at the Graduation Ceremony at Universidad Popular del Cesar (W 2008)
Memberships
- TESOL International Association
- American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL)
- International Language Testing Association (ILTA)
- Association Internationale de Linguistique Appliquée (AILA)
- Latin American Association for Language Testing and Assessment (LAALTA)
- Fulbright Alumni Association member
- ΟΔΚ (Omicron Delta Kappa), National Leadership Honors Society (USA)
- ΗΣΦ (Eta Sigma Phi), National Classic Languages Honors Society (USA)
Grants and Funding
Academic Reviewer
For Academic Journals
- Ampersand (Elsevier)
- European Journal of Education (Wiley)
- Frontiers in Psychology
- GIST - Education and Learning Research
- Heliyon (Elsevier)
- International Journal of Applied Linguistics (Wiley)
- Journal of Language, Identity, and Education (T&F)
- Language Learning Journal (T&F)
- Language Testing (Sage)
- Lenguaje
- Sociolinguistic Studies (Equinox)
- TESOL Quarterly (Wiley)
- Study Abroad Research in Second Language Acquisition and International Education (John Benjamins Publishing)
For International Academic Publishers
- Springer (Education, Social Sciences, Linguistics)
- Universidad del Cauca Publishing House
Media Appearances
Uninorte News (2024)
Study compares the effectiveness of Duolingo with traditional classroom instruction for English learning. https://rb.gy/0ict5x
Al Micrófono — Videocast (2023)
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (Host). Scales, rubrics and checklists in language instruction. Universidad del Norte. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs7OL9FNE07/
Re-Pensando la Educación — Podcast (2021)
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (Guest). Dynamic assessment, a new formative paradigm in the classroom. Caracol Radio. https://caracol.com.co/radio/2021/07/21/nacional/1626885385_237108.html
Flipped and Remote Learning Seminars — Youtube (2020)
Rodríguez-Fuentes, R. (Guest). Conducting remote assessment in times of disruption. Idiomas Universidad del Norte. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrYsrwmjPh8
Board and Committee Membership
CELEC
Center for Studies in Language, Education and Culture. Advisory Board Member.
Doctoral Training in Education
International Congress. Advisory Board Member.
ASOCOPI
Colombian Association of English Instructors Conference. Academic Committee Member.
LAALTA
Latin American Association of Language Testing Conference. Academic Committee Member.
Selection and Promotion
Fulbright Colombia Cohorts
2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025.
Universidad de Nariño
(Faculty Promotion Committee) External Reviewer, 2025.
Ph.D. in Education, Universidad del Norte
2021, 2024, 2025.
M.A. in English Language Teaching, Universidad del Norte
2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2026.
Midwest Association of Language Testers
2015, 2016, 2017.
Recent Training
Training, Workshops, and Seminars
Assessment Design with AI — Georgia Tech X, 2025
How to protect Linguistics departments — Linguistic Society of America, 2024
Certified peer reviewer course — Elsevier Research Academy, 2024
First steps: AI in education — Universidad del Norte, 2024
The role of international cooperation in the strengthening of scientific research — Universidad Tecnológica de Bolivar, 2024
Formulation of proposals for international funds — Purdue University, 2024
Uses and pitfalls of AI for college writing: policy, assignment design, and pedagogical innovation — Butler University, 2023
Outreach and Skills
Outreach and Community Service
- Speech Master Judge for Universidad del Norte (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025).
- English/Spanish Translator for AtlantiConnect Conferences (2020).
- Spanish/English – English/Spanish Text Translator for Universidad del Norte (2020).
- Simultaneous Interpreter for the SLS Program at Purdue University (2015–2018).
- Webmaster and newsletter editor (2015–2017). Second Language Studies Graduate Student Organization (ESL GO!) at Purdue.
- Community Manager (2017–2018). Colombian Student Association at Purdue (CSAP).
- Photographer (2016–2018). Convocations Volunteering Network at Purdue (CVN).
- Photographer (2015, 2016). Midwest Association of Language Testers Conference.
- Photographer (2016, 2017). Purdue Language and Cultures Conference.
Skills
Languages: Spanish (L1); English (certified); Portuguese (functional proficiency); Latin (Magna Cum Laude certification).
Statistical Analysis Software: SAS, FACETS, JASP, R.
Measurement Software: jMetrik, StatPlus, Winsteps.
Qualitative Analysis Software: N-VIVO.
Corpus Analysis Software: Antconc, LancBox.
Speech Transcription and Analysis Software: PRAAT, Audacity, CLAN, ELAN.
Survey Software: Qualtrics.
Other: iMovie, Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Lightroom CC.
Academic Employment — Universidad del Norte
Barranquilla, Colombia
2025–2026
Graduate:
Seminar in Classroom Assessment (Summer 2026)
Evaluation in Education (Fall 2025, Spring 2026)
Academic Advisor: Action Research Projects by Faculty (2025, 2026)
Master's Thesis Advisor: Exploring the Influence of Enunciation and Pronunciation Errors on Fluency Development in EFL (2026)
Doctoral Dissertation Committee Member: Telecollaboration and intercultural sensitivity (2026); Meanings and significance of reading and writing in a Wayuu key (2025)
2024
Undergraduate: Eng 8: Social and Sustainable Practices (Spring 2024); English for Health Sciences (Fall 2024)
Graduate: Quantitative Research Methods (Spring 2024, Fall 2024); Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (Spring 2024)
Curriculum Development: Global Skills (2024); Language Measurement and Assessment (2024); Seminar: Assessment and Testing in Education (2024)
2023
Undergraduate: English Language Program 6 (Fall 2023); Global Skills (Fall 2023 – Spring 2026); FLT 3: Language Measurement and Assessment (Fall 2023 – Spring 2026)
Graduate: Quantitative Research Methods (Spring 2023); Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
Curriculum Development: Quantitative Research (2023); Seminar: Bilingualism and Multilingualism (2023); Language Measurement and Assessment (2023)
Master's Thesis Advisor: Development of codification in Spanish and English in 6-year-old children: A Case Study (2023)
Master's Thesis Committee Member: Using persuasive monologue recording tasks as a means to improve students' speech rate at a public university in Colombia: A case study (2023)
Doctoral Dissertation Committee Member: A philosophical framework for organic assessment (UPB, 2024); Lexical didactic procedure (Uninorte, 2024)
Fall 2021–Fall 2022
Undergraduate: ELT 3: Language Testing and Assessment (online, Fall 2021 – Fall 2022)
Curriculum Development: Language Measurement and Assessment (2022)
Spring 2021
Undergraduate: English for International Relations 4 (Spring & Fall 2021 – Spring 2022); 21st Century Skills (online, Spring 2021 – Fall 2023); Business English 7 (online, Fall 2021)
Graduate: Classroom Assessment in EFL (Spring 2021); Evaluation in Education (Spring & Fall 2021); Read aloud strategies for oral fluency development in EFL (Spring 2021)
Curriculum Development: Language Measurement and Assessment (2021)
Master's Thesis Advisor: Reading aloud as a strategy for the development of fluency in 8th grade students (2021)
2019–2020
Assistant Professor — Undergraduate Courses: English Language Program 6 (Spring & Fall 2019, Fall 2020)
Curriculum Development: Global Skills (2020)
Fall 2016
Graduate Course: Mediations in Second Language Acquisition
Fall 2014
Graduate Course: Classroom Assessment in EFL
2011–2013
Continuing Lecturer
Taught English as a foreign language to undergraduate students from level 1 (beginner) to level 6 (upper-intermediate).
Academic Employment — Other Institutions
2013–2018 — Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
Testing Assistant, Oral English Proficiency Program (Fall 2013 – Spring 2018):
- Administered the Oral English Proficiency Test (OEPT) to international students.
- Ran statistics and produced reports and summaries on examinee and test performance.
- Designed and revised items, rubrics, and created language descriptors and thresholds for the test.
- Rated over 200 OEPT tests.
Test Developer, Assessment of College English, International (2014, 2016, 2017): Created, revised, and piloted test items. Part of the team that created the first rubrics for listening and repetition items.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) Content Developer: Created videos, printable posters, and content on APA and MLA guidelines for the Purdue OWL website.
Developer and Reviewer of the Oral English Proficiency Test 3 (2015–2018): Part of the team that created, recorded, piloted, and revised test items, and modified and adapted the rubrics.
Statistical monitor for the Ph.D. Quantitative Research class (2018): Supported Professor April Ginther during office hours with statistical analysis consultations.
Classroom Communication for International Graduate Students (Spring & Fall 2018): Taught oral English communication skills to international teaching assistants.
2011 — Colegio Bilingüe de Valledupar & Universidad Popular del Cesar
Classroom Teacher, EFL — Colegio Bilingüe de Valledupar, Valledupar, Col.
Full-time teacher instructing EFL from first to fourth grade in classrooms of 23–25 students.
Continuing Lecturer — Universidad Popular del Cesar, Valledupar, Col.
Taught English as a foreign language to undergraduate students at the A1 level of the CEFR.
Education
Purdue University — United States
Ph.D. in English
Concentration: Second Language Studies (SLS)
Specialization: Language Testing and Assessment
2018
Dissertation: Linguistic and cultural factors in graduate school admissions: An examination of Latin American students at Purdue University.
Universidad del Norte — Colombia
M.A. in Education
Minor: English language teaching
Thesis: The role of writing instruction and feedback on written texts in young learners.
2012
Universidad del Norte — Colombia
Postgraduate Diploma in English Language Teaching
2010
Project: Development of integrated skills in third grade through internet-based materials.
Universidad Popular del Cesar — Valledupar, Col.
Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and English
Valedictorian honoree
2008
Hobbies and Fun
Latest Photo Series
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City Texture 1
City Texture 2
City Texture 3
Rodrigo A. Rodríguez-Fuentes