Women with headsets and microphones using University language labs

Exploring the nature of language

Our research focuses on cognitive and psycholinguistic processes in second and third language acquisition

The Centre for Applied Research and Innovation delivers cross-disciplinary research and innovation in language sciences, where the object of inquiry is the nature of language itself.

Our research covers language learning, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), linguistics, applied linguistics, translation, interpreting and education.

The existence of neuro-compatible methods for teaching foreign languages is one of the most enduring myths in Western culture. While behavioural studies can only capture the automation of second language knowledge, our research tracks down the internalisation and proceduralisation of this knowledge.

In the Language Sciences, we're exploring the nature of language itself. Our language scientists focusing on two major areas:

  • How language is represented in the mind-brain, often referred to as theoretical linguistics
  • How language is produced and comprehended, generally referred to as psycholinguistics.

Our research focuses on cognitive and psycholinguistic processes in second and third language acquisition. Researchers investigate how L2 learners process, accommodate and access different aspects of the language. We adopt multiple methodologies of online measures, including eye-tracking, reaction times, self-paced reading and listening, ERP, EEG.

Collaborations

We regularly collaborate with the following universities:

  • University of New South Wales (UNSW)
  • University of Salzburg, Austria
  • University of the Balearic Islands
  • University of Pavia

Research

Our research covers the following areas of expertise:

  • Corpus Linguistics
  • Discourse Analysis
  • Professional Communication
  • Sociolinguistics
  • TESOL
  • Translation