Dr. Kris Aric Knisely (he/they) is Assistant Professor of French and Intercultural Competence in the Department of French and Italian at the University of Arizona. He is also a faculty member of the Secold Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT) Graduate Interdisciplinary Program and is a member of the Trans Studies Research Cluster (TSRC). 

He completed his PhD in French and Educational Studies at Emory University in 2015 and then served as Assistant Professor of French and the Program Director for French and Francophone Studies at the University of South Dakota from 2015 to 2018 before coming to UA.

His primary line of research focuses on gender identity and sexual orientation in Second Language Acquisition (SLA). In a secondary line of research, he explores educational technology and teacher education as they relate to language education. Dr. Knisely has published in the fields of applied linguistics, CALL, cultural studies, education, and measurement. You can find details for many of his publications both here and below.

His current project investigates the linguistic practices of gender non-binary speakers of French, building on his previous work on learner identities and gendered language attitudes. The primary objective of this project is to describe how non-binary gender identities can be expressed in a grammatically binary language in order to develop a set of best practices for supporting non-binary students of French as a second language.

Dr. Knisely has a broad range of teaching interests including French language, linguistics, intercultural communication, gender and sexuality, and education, among others.

 

Recent Publications

Knisely, K. (Forthcoming 2021). L/G/B and T: Queer Excisions, Entailments, and Intersections. In J. Piaz & J. Coda (Eds.) Intersectional Perspectives on LGBTQ+ Issues in Language Teaching and Learning. Palgrave Macmillan.

Knisely, K. (Forthcoming 2021). A Starter Kit for Rethinking TGNC Representation and Inclusion in French L2 Classrooms. In N. Meyer & E. Hoft-March (Eds.) Teaching Diversity and Inclusion: Examples from a French-Speaking Classroom. Routledge.

Knisely, K. (Forthcoming 2021). Teaching trans: The Impetus for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming inclusivity in L2 classrooms. In K. Davidson, S. Johnson, & L. Randolph (Eds.) How We Take Action: Social Justice in K-16 Language Classrooms. Information Age.

Knisely, K. (2021). Le français non-binaire: linguistic forms used by non-binary speakers of French. Foreign Language Annals. 53(4). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/flan.12500

Knisely, K. (2020). Subverting the culturally unreadable: Understanding the self-positioning of non-binary speakers of French. The French Review. 94(2), 149-168.

Knisely, K. and Gorham, J. (2019). Systems in Need of Activism: Considering the Effects of Segregation and Policy on French and U.S. Primary and Secondary Education. The Journal of the Midwest Modern Language Association.

Knisely, K. (2018). Intégration des réseaux sociaux dans les cours de langue: justifications et mises en garde. The French Review. 92(1), 97-111.

Knisely, K. and Wind, S. (2017). Developing a Survey to Explore Sense of Belongingness related to Language Learning Using Rasch Measurement Theory. Pensamiento Educativo. 54(2), 1-20.

Knisely, K. (2017). Exploring the role of culture in the formation of French language ideologies among US post-secondary students. Contemporary French Civilization 42(2), 189-210.

Knisely, K. (2016). Language Learning and the Gendered Self: The Case of French and Masculinity in a US Context. Gender and Language 10(2), 216-239.

Zorko, D., Alkhas, A. and Knisely, K. (2015). Should we go high or low? A few tips on using and choosing technology wisely. The Voice of WAFLT: A Wisconsin Association of Foreign Language Teachers Publication.

Knisely, K. and Wind, S. (2015). Gendered language attitudes: Exploring language as a gendered construct using Rasch measurement theory. Journal of Applied Measurement 16(1), 95-112.

Open Accessible Summaries of Recent Publications

Knisely, K. (2020). Read this realness: How non-binary people are taking up and subverting cultural and linguistic spaces in French. OASIS Summary of Knisely (2020). Subverting the culturally unreadable: Understanding the self-positioning of non-binary speakers of French. The French Review. 94(2). 149-168. https://oasis-database.org/concern/summaries/2227mp912?locale=en 

Knisely, K. (2020). “How do you say the singular they in French?”: How non-binary people are adapting the French language. OASIS Summary of Knisely (2020). Le français non-binaire: linguistic forms used by non-binary speakers of French. Foreign Language Annals. 53(4). 1-27. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12500. https://oasis-database.org/concern/summaries/np1939428?locale=en

 

Recent Invited Lectures and Workshops

Knisely, K. (March, 2021). (Keynote) Resisting normativities, reinventing possibilities: Toward trans-affirming L2 pedagogies. The Cultural Constructions Conference. The University of Texas-Arlington. Arlington, TX. (Online).

Knisely, K. (January, 2021). Decentering power, (Re)centering possibilities: Toward trans-affirming language pedagogies. The Pennsylvania State University. University Park, PA. (Online).

Knisely, K. (September, 2020). Un-boxing gender: Toward trans-affirming L2 pedagogies. The Berkeley College Language Center. The University of California-Berkeley. Berkeley, CA. (Online).

Knisely, K. (2019, November). Les mouvements linguistiques non-binaires au Canada et en France [Non-binary linguistic movements in Canada and in France]. Carnegie Mellon University. Pittsburgh, PA.

Knisely, K. (2019, October). Teaching to and about TGNC individuals in L2 Contexts. Purdue. West Lafayette, IN.

Knisely, K. (2019, April). Non-binary French: Troubling L2 pedagogy for inclusivity, recruitment, retention, and achievement. Paper presented at the Innovating Undergraduate French Studies Colloquium. The University of Texas-Austin, Austin, TX.

Knisely, K. (2019, April). Inclusive L2 pedagogy: Teaching to support students of all genders and sexualities. Critical and Social Justice Approaches Special Interest Group of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Webinar.

Knisely, K. (2019, March). Gender diversity and L2 pedagogy: Adapting classroom practice for inclusivity. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI.

Knisely, K. (2018, October). Soyons inclusifs.ves: Adapting L2 teaching practices to support non-binary students. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI.

Knisely, K. (2018, September). Le français non-binaire: linguistic forms used by non-binary speakers of French and their pedagogical implications for intercultural competence development. Duke University, Durham, NC.

Knisely, K. (2018, September). Gender diversity and L2 pedagogy: Cultivating inclusive teaching practices for non-binary students. Duke University, Durham, NC.

Knisely, K. (2018, March). Developing inclusive second language teaching practices for non-binary students. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI.

Knisely, K. (2017, October). Inclusiveness beyond the binary: Attending to gender diversity in the French language classroom. The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

 

Recent Presentations

Knisely, K. (2020, November). Weaving transness into the fabric of French L2 learning: Toward TGNC-affirming French L2 pedagogies. Paper presented at the Diversity, Decolonization, and the French Curriculum (DDFC) conference. (Online).

Knisely, K. (2020, March). Intersectionality Under the Umbrella: The Linguistic Self-Positioning of Trans Speakers. Paper presented at the American Association of Applied Linguistics Conference, Denver, CO. (Conference canceled)

Knisely, K. (2019, November). Developing Queer Materials and Practices for L2 Teaching and Learning. Paper presented at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Conference, Washington, DC.

Knisely, K. (2019, August). Subverting the Culturally Unreadable: Understanding the self-positioning of non-binary speakers of French. Paper presented at the Contemporary French Civilization Conference, Tucson, AZ.

Knisely, K. Parlons non-binarité: Troubling binary grammatical constructions in the French language classroom. Paper presented at the American Association of Applied Linguistics Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Knisely, K. (2018, November). Developing Intercultural and Symbolic Competence via Gender-neutral French. Paper presented at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Knisely, K. (2018, March). Inclusive Pedagogy: Supporting Trans and Gender Non-Binary Language Learners. Paper presented at the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Milwaukee, WI.

Knisely, K. (2017, November). Cultivating inclusive pedagogical practices for students of all genders. Paper presented at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Conference, Nashville, TN.

Knisely, K. (2016, November). Teaching for Inclusiveness: Language Attitudes and Learner Identity. Paper presented at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Conference, Boston, MA.

Knisely, K. (2016, February). Language Learner Identity: Framing Applied Linguistics Research with French Cultural Studies.  Paper presented at the Lavender Languages Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. 

Knisely, K. & Alkhas, A. (2015, November). When to go high or low: Toward a more intentional use of technology Paper presented at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. 

Knisely, K. (2015, February). Language Learning and Sexuality. Panel Organizer, Session Chair, and Discussant at the Lavender Languages Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. 

Knisely, K. (2014, February). Hors norme: Negotiating the Perceived Incongruence of Heterosexual Male Identities and French Language Study. Paper presented at the Lavender Languages Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. 

Knisely, K. (2013, November). Facebooker ou pas? Social Networking Websites and Language Teaching. A paper presented at the Midwest Modern Language Association Annual Convention, Milwaukee, WI.

Knisely, K. (2013, November). Gender, Sexuality, and Learning French as a Second Language: The Strange Relationship between Learner Attitudes, Identity and Behavior. A paper presented at the Midwest Modern Language Association Annual Convention, Milwaukee, WI.

Knisely, K., Chang, M. & Nguyen, M. (2013, May). Self-Efficacy in Math: A Rasch Measurement Approach. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA.

Knisely, K. (2013, April). Gendered Language Attitudes, Learner Identity, and Motivation to Learn French. A paper presented at the Southeastern Conference on Language. Spartanburg, SC.

Knisely, K. (2013, February). Languages and Language Learning: Learner Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, Identity, and Behavior. Paper presented at the Lavender Languages Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.

Knisely, K. (2013, February). Self-Efficacy, Sexuality, and Language Learning: The Strange Relationship between Learner Attitudes, Identity, and Behavior. Paper presented at the Studies in Sexualities Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Knisely, K. (2013, February). Lavender Rhetoric, Composition, and Language Learning: Why Study Lavender Rhetoric? Paper presented at the Lavender Languages Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.

Knisely, K. & Alkhas, A. (2012, November). No, Low and High Tech: The Role of Technology in the Standards-Based Classroom. A presentation and workshop at the Wisconsin Association of Foreign Language Teachers Annual Conference, Milwaukee, WI.

Knisely, K. (2012, April). Language Diversity in the Classroom. A workshop conducted at the Teaching in the Urban South (TITUS) Education Conference, Decatur, GA.

Knisely, K. & Alkhas, A. (2012, March). High/Low Tech: Keeping it Real in Today’s Classroom. A presentation and workshop at the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Appleton, WI.

Knisely, K. (2012, January). College French, American Masculinity, and the Need to Belong. Paper presented at the Studies in Sexualities Conference, Atlanta, GA.

 

Recent Courses

FREN 301 Pronunciation and Conversation

FREN 280 Introduction to French Language, Linguistics, and Culture

FREN 160A1 The French Speaking World