Pitt, CMU to Host Second Language Research Forum Oct. 18-21

PITTSBURGH—A growing number of families across the country are now seeing the value in raising bilingual children and are seeking out resources to help teach them a second language at an early age. As such, second language acquisition—the discipline devoted to studying how people learn second languages—continues to evolve with innovative technologies, changing curricula, and new theoretical models. 

To further explore these new teaching methods, the Second Language Research Forum, sponsored by units at the University of Pittsburgh, including the Learning Research and Development Center, and Carnegie Mellon University, will provide a unique space for educators across academic fields to share their research. The forum runs from Oct. 18 through 21 at the University Center on the Carnegie Mellon campus, 5032 Forbes Ave., Oakland. 

“There is a lot of innovative and exciting interdisciplinary research on second languages happening in Pittsburgh,” said Ryan Miller, forum organizer and a CMU graduate student in second language acquisition. Katherine Martin, forum organizer and a Pitt graduate student in linguistics added, “This is a great opportunity to showcase not only the work being done at Pitt and CMU, but also gather together students and faculty with scholars from around the world.”

The times, dates, titles, and presenters of the forum’s plenary lectures follow. 

• 5:15 p.m. Oct. 18, “Translation Ambiguity in Language Learning, Processing, and Representation,” presented by Natasha Tokowicz, University of Pittsburgh

• 5:10 p.m. Oct. 19, “Triangulating Theories, Methods, and Perspectives in SLA Research,” presented by Patricia Duff, University of British Columbia 

• 11 a.m. Oct. 20, “Some Recent Research on Aptitude with Some Implications for Instructed SLA,” presented by Bill VanPatten, Michigan State University

• 5:10 p.m. Oct. 20, “From Models to Methods: Linking L1 and L2 Acquisitional Theory,” presented by Brian MacWhinney, Carnegie Mellon University

Three preconference workshops and six colloquia are planned for Oct. 18-21. Among the titles of these presentations are “Second Language and Literacy Acquisition by Low-Educated Adults,” “The Use of Eye Movements to Study L2 Comprehension,” and “Developmental Perspectives on Second Language Writing.” In total, there will be more than 300 presentations.

The registration fee for the three-day forum is $90 for students and $130 for nonstudents. A one-day registration costs $75 for both students and nonstudents. 

A full schedule of events and registration details are available at http://ml.hss.cmu.edu/slrf2012.

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10/5/12/mab/cjhm