Prof. Geoffrey M. Maroko, PhD
Professor of applied linguistics, Machakos University
Email: gmaroko@mksu.ac.ke, gmaroko@yahoo.com
Tel: (+254) (0) 712 660 638
Prof. Geoffrey Maroko’s Profile
Key Qualifications
2025 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Development Programme (SLDP – 446), Kenya School of Government
2017 Pedagogical Skills Training in Higher Education, Machakos University
2017 Certificate in action research and social network analysis, PASGR
2016 Certificate in Advanced research design, PASGR
2008 PhD in applied linguistics, Kenyatta University.
2003 Certificate, International English Language Testing System (Band 7.5)
2000 MA in English and Linguistics, Kenyatta University
1996 BA in English and Literature
Areas of Expertise/Specialisation
Applied linguistics: language teaching & evaluation; language and healthcare; language research & communication; language and ethnography; communication in research, professional and social contexts; genre analysis, language and ecology; formative and summative assessment tools developer for basic and higher education levels; research and dissemination; project management: planning, implementation, evaluation; teacher development: facilitation and assessment; conference organisation.
Employment Profile
5th September 2024 – Present: (Full) Professor of applied linguistics, Department of Linguistics and Languages – Machakos University
12th September 2018 – 5th September 2024: Associate Professor of applied linguistics, Department of Linguistics and languages – Machakos University
13th May 2015 – 11th September 2018: Senior Lecturer, Department of Linguistics and Languages – Machakos University
4th February 2009 – 11th May, 2015: Lecturer, Department of English and Linguistics, Kenyatta University
September. 2002 to February. 2009: Tutorial Fellow, Department of English and Linguistics, Kenyatta University
May 2000 – August 2002: Tutorial Fellow, Department of English and Communication Skills, Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Aug. 1996 to September. 1997: Teacher of English and Literature at Nyambaria High School – Teachers Service Commission
Administration/Responsibility Profile
September 2024 – Present: Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies, School of Humanities and Social Sciences – Machakos University
19th June 2017 – 5th June 2022: Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences – Machakos University
January 2016 – April 2017: Director, Research and Innovation – Machakos University
25th November 2013 – 11th September 2015: Deputy Director, Accommodation Services – Kenyatta University
May 2006 – May 2015: Curriculum Coordinator, Department of English and Linguistics, Kenyatta University
Project Profile
September 2024 – Present: Africa ELTA Project for the development of Open Educational Resources for teachers of English in Africa (Mentor)
June, 2024 – Present: Ethnography of Kenyan Gen Z: Unpacking their Linguistic Code for Mass Action in Selected Social Media Platforms (Principal Investigator)
February 2020 – April 2023: A Social Semiotic Analysis of Gender Representation in Selected Kenyan Secondary School English Textbooks (Lead Supervisor)
January 2019 – December 2023: A situational analysis of Intervention Measures in the Management of HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kisii County funded by NRF (Principal Investigator)
September 2016 – December 2018: Kenya’s stigma free English accent: An English as a Lingua Franca Perspective (Lead Supervisor)
October 2021-December 2021: Oral traditions for environmental sustainability in Kisii County: Implications for language teaching funded by NRF (Principal Investigator)
February 2018 -September 2018: The Impact of research infrastructure on the quality of postgraduate research outputs in selected Kenyan Universities funded by Machakos University (Principal Investigator)
May 2014-July 2014: Preparation of a Trainers’ Manual in the East African Community Freight Forwarder’s Certificate (EACFFPC) program funded by Trademark East Africa (principal Investigator)
January 2014 – April 2014: Development of the Strategic and Vision Plan for the Department of Education, ICT and Human Resource Development in Kisii County funded by Kisii County (Lead Consultant)
July 2014 – December 2014: Investigating into the Devolved Functions in Education in Nyamira County funded by Nyamira County (Principal Investigator)
Selected Publications
Mwai, L.W., Maroko, M.G., Orwenjo, D.O., & Ogutu, E.A. (2024). Question Typology in Kenyan Argumentative Talk Shows. Professional Discourse & Communication, 6(1): 44-68.
Mutune, F., Maroko, G.M., Kiai, A.W. (2023). Construction of gender in linguistic signs in selected Kenyan secondary school English textbooks. Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature 17(2): 1-14
Ngang’a S, C., Maroko, G.M., Ong’onda N,A. (2023). Intertextuality and Interdiscursivity in Post colonial Language Policies in Kenya. European Journal of Applied Linguistics Studies 6(2): 214-232
Wangari, S & Maroko, G.M. (2023). Metadiscourse in the Kenyan CEO Letter Genre: A Corpus-Assisted Study. Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature 18(1): 148-159
Mutune, F., Maroko, G.M., Kiai, A.W. (2022). Construction of gender in visual signs in
selected Kenyan secondary school English textbooks. Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature 17(1): 74-86
Maroko, G.M., Nyamoita, G, M., Nyakundi, O.A., Onyambu, M. O. (2021). Abagusii traditional environmental knowledge and HIV/AIDS management: Implications for English Language Teaching. Language and Ecology, 2021.
Maroko, G.M., Nyamoita, G, M., Nyakundi, O.A., Onyambu, M. O. (2020). A Conceptual Analysis of Metaphors Engendering HIV and AIDS-Related Stigma and Discrimination in Kisii County, Kenya. Language Circle, 14(2): 137-147.
Nyakundi, O.A., Maroko, G.M., Nyamoita, G, M., Onyambu, M. O. (2020). Communication strategies in the management of HIV and AIDS in Kisii County, Kenya: Successes and gaps. International Journal of Communication Research, Volume 9 (4): 339 – 350.
Nyakundi, O.A., Maroko, G.M., Nyamoita, G, M., Onyambu, M. O. (2020). Stakeholder engagement and management as a determinant of health intervention outcomes: The varied messages communicated during HIV and AIDS inteventions in Kisii County, International Journal of Communication Research, Volume 10 (4): 419-430.
Maroko, G.M., Nyamoita, G, M., Nyakundi, O.A., Onyambu, M. O. (2020). Partner notification Services in Kisii County, Kenya: Evaluating Behaviour Change Communication Strategies. Journal of Development Communication, Volume 30 (2): 45-59.
Itumo, M.I., Nandelenga, H.S., Maroko, M.G. (2018). Different Voicing Patterns Between British English and Kenyan English Plosives. The University of Nairobi Journal of Language and Linguistics, Vol. 7, 1-22.
Malandi, A.B. and Maroko, M.G. (2018). A Genre Analysis of the Scholarly Electronic Mail: Implications for Pedagogy. Applied Research on English Language, Vol. 7(3), 291306.
Mwangi, G.; Maroko, M.G.; Nthiga, P.M. (2017). An Evaluation of the treatment of application letters and reports in core Kenyan form three English Course Books. Journal of applied
linguistics and language research, Vol. 4, No. 8, 168-182.
Mostert, A; Lisney, B; Maroko, M.G &Kaschula, R.H. (2017). From technauriture to cultauriture: Developing a coherent digitization paradigm for enhancing cultural impact. International Journal of Society, Culture and Language, Vol. 5, No. 2, 37-48.
Itumo, J.M; Maroko, M.G &Nandelenga, H.S. (2017). Kenyan English Monophthongs: An Element Theory Approach. Journal of applied linguistics and language research, Vol. 4, No. 3, 131-149.
Maroko, G.M. (2016). Uncovering cloze testing practices in selected practice papers for primary schools in Kenya. Journal of applied linguistics and language research, Vol. 3, No. 4, 121-134.
Maroko,G.M &Kiai, A.W. (2014). Tense usage in selected humanities and science dissertations. A Journal on Education, Applied Linguistics and Curriculum & Instruction, Vol. 2, No. 2: 54-85.
Maroko, G. M. (2013). Learning about author positioning in written academic discourse. Argentinian Journal of Applied Linguistics, Vol. 1 No. 2, 47 – 60.
Maroko, G. M. (2013). Development of language materials for national development: A language management perspective. International Journal of Education and Research, Vol. 1, No. 7, 225 – 239.
Maroko, G. M. (2013). Citation practices in selected science and humanities dissertations: Implications for teaching. American Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 1, No. 4, 126136.
Kiai, A.W & Maroko, G.M (2013). Textbook selection experiences among secondary school teachers of English in Kenya. International Journal of Education and Research Vol. 1, No. 12, 1-16.
Komenda, S., Maroko, G. M., Ndung’u, R. (2013). The morphophonemics of vowel compensatory lengthening in Ekegusii. International Journal of Education and Research, Vol. 1, No. 9, 137 – 151.
Selected Conference Presentations
Maroko, M.G.; Mokua G, N. (April, 2021): Abagusii traditional environmental knowledge and HIV/AIDS management: Implications for English Language Teaching. Presented at the University of Gloucestershire, UK during the 5th International Conference on Ecolinguistics.
Maroko, M.G.; Mokua G, N. (June, 2021): COVID-19 is a war: Framing the pandemic in an evolving “New Normal.” Presented during the 3rd Annual International Conference.
Maroko, M.G.; Mokua G, N. (June, 2021): Managing HIV/AIDS amid COVID-19: How to un-do things with words. Presented during the 3rd Annual International Conference.
Maroko, M.G.; Mokua G, N. (April, 2019): Unpacking the linguistic metaphors entrenching HIV/AIDS-related stigma in Kisii County. Presented during the 1st Annual International Conference.
Maroko, M.G.; Mokua G, N. (April, 2019): The Communication Skills Course: What skills and for which future?Presented during the 1st Annual International Conference.
Maroko, M.G. (May 2018): Youth Employability: Fostering University-Industry Links in Curriculum Design. Presented at the School of Education Conference, Tangaza University College in May 28th-30th, 2018.
Maroko M.G. (April 2018): Sustainable Development Goals: Windows of opportunity for applied linguists? Presented at the First International Conference of Machakos University between April 17-19 2018 at Machakos University Hotel and Conference Centre.
Maroko M.G. (April 2018): The Communication Skills Course: What skills and for which future? Presented at the First International Conference of Machakos University between April 17-19 2018 at Machakos University Hotel and Conference Centre.
Maroko. M.G. (September 2, 2016). Fading mothertongues as languages of instruction in lower primary school in Kenya: The case of EkeGusii. Presented during a SEREK Conference on Politics and Education in the 21st Century at Machakos University College.
Maroko. M.G. (September 1, 2016). An evaluation of the treatment of the curriculum vitae in approved course textbooks for secondary schools in Kenya. Presented during a SEREK Conference on Politcs and Education in the 21st Century at Machakos University College.
Maroko, M.G. (April 17, 2015). Uncovering cloze testing practices in selected KCPE revision papers. Presented in the English for Effective Conference held at the Strathmore University on 16th and 17th April 2015.
Maroko M. G. (September 13, 2013). Institutionalising trilingualism in Kenya: A language management perspective. Presented during the 3rd International Language Management Symposium held at the Charles University, Prague-Czech Republic between 13-14 September 2013.
Maroko M. G. (June 29, 2013). Language materials for national development: A language management perspective. Presented during the 2nd Annual International Conference on Challenges of Development in Africa held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi-Kenya on 25-29 June 2013.
Maroko M. G. (November 1, 2011). Citation practices in selected M.A and M.Sc theses in Kenyan Public Universities: Managing unwritten norms and beliefs. Presented during the 2nd International Language Management Symposium held at Waseda University, Tokyo-Japan on 1-2 October 2011.
Maroko M. G. (September 25, 2011). An appraisal of the sources of language input in selected English lessons by teacher trainees in Kenya. Presented during the 6th International conference on Foreign Language Teaching and Research held at Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan on 24-25 September, 2011.
Maroko M. G. (October 10, 2010).Rhetorical structure and reader expectations in the moves of the Master’s thesis. Presented during a thesis writing workshop for graduate students at the Institute of Social Ministry, Tangaza University College.
Maroko, M. G. (September 25, 2010).The authentic materials approach in the teaching of functional writing in the classroom. Presented via Skype during the 5th International conference on Foreign Language Teaching and Research held at Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan.
Maroko, M. G. (July 22, 2010).Options of author-representation in selected theses: Implications for EAP instruction. Presented during an International conference on Multlingualism Education co-hosted by Kenyatta University and the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Maroko, M. G. (September 27, 2009).Reflections on the genre-based approach to the teaching of thesis writing. Presented via Skype during the 4th International conference on Foreign Language Teaching and Research held at Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan.
Maroko, M. G. (July 9, 2009). The authentic materials approach to the teaching of functional writing during an International conference on Innovative Teacher Education and Classroom Practice in the 21st Century co-hosted by Kenyatta University and Syracuse University, USA.