Can apps REALLY support language learning? - Shawn Loewen
"How do we make research meaningful for the classroom? What really helps students acquire grammar? Can apps ACTUALLY support second language learning?"
These are some of the questions we tackled in our conversation with Dr. Shawn Loewen.
Shawn Loewen is Professor of Second Language Studies at Michigan State University, where he directs the doctoral program in SLS. His research focuses on instructed second language acquisition, the research-practice gap, and mobile-assisted language learning. He is the author of several influential books and serves as associate editor of The Modern Language Journal.
His new book, "Edited Volume in Instructed SLA" is out now.
In our discussion, we dive into:
whether the explicit vs implicit debate matters
if people can actually learn languages on "those apps"
pattern recognition and why some learners “just get it”
task-based language teaching vs. Instructed SLA
why most institutions don't really know what their approach to learning is
leveraging AI and technology for learning
bridging the gap between researchers and teachers
the limits and potential of communicative language teaching
FOR MORE FROM DR. SHAWN LOEWEN:
1. His book "Edited Volume in Instructed SLA"
Podcast Creation:
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About Shawn Loewen
Shawn Loewen is Professor in Second Language Studies (SLS), TESOL, and Applied Linguistics at Michigan State University. He currently serves as the director of the SLS doctoral program. His research interests include the researcher-practitioner relationship, instructed second language acquisition, classroom interaction, and mobile-assisted language learning. His publications include a 2024 co-authored textbook entitled, A Practical Guide to Second Language Teaching and Learning (with Sato). The third edition of his book, Introduction to Instructed Second Language Acquisition, appeared in early 2025. He has two additional co-authored books, Key Concepts in Second Language Acquisition (with Reinders, 2009), and An A-Z of Applied Linguistics Research Methods (with Plonsky, 2016). His co-edited The Routledge Handbook of Instructed Second Language Acquisition (with Sato) appeared in 2017. He has also published numerous articles in journals such as Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Language Learning, ELT Journal, and Language Teaching Research. He is the associate editor of The Modern Language Journal.
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