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The Center for Language Acquisition (CLA) is a research unit in the College of the Liberal Arts at The Pennsylvania State University.
Latest News
February 2, 2010
Center for Language Acquisition Spring 2010 Speaker Series
Professor Zhaohong Han, Teachers College, Columbia University will present a paper titled "From 'Julie' to 'Albert': The Selective Fossilization Hypothesis."
Location: 111 Chambers Building
Date & Time: February 25, 6:00 p.m.
Abstract:
Since its inception in the late 1960's, the field of second language acquisition has been facing an explanatory challenge vis-à-vis two robust phenomena: inter-learner differential success and intra-learner differential success. Success in this context has been defined as complete attainment of the objectified target, be it externally imposed or internally set. While the past research has brought theories galore on success (see, e.g., VanPatten & Williams, 2007), most of them outsourced from other fields and disciplines, within-field systematic attempts at explaining both success and lack thereof have remained sparse and scattered. In this presentation, I will introduce and elaborate on the Selective Fossilization Hypothesis (Han, 2009), a recent attempt to account for inter-learner and intra-learner complete as well as incomplete learning. I will begin with a brief discussion of its epistemological and phenomenological motivation and then proceed to describing and explicating its key constructs, with an ultimate view to showing its explanatory and predictive potential.
January 18, 2010
PAALC 2010 Graduate Research Symposium
On January 22-23, 2010, the Center for Language Acquisition will host the PAALC 2010 Graduate Research Symposium, a showcase for graduate scholarship in Applied Linguistics from students from PAALC (Pennsylvania Applied Linguistics Consortium), whose member institutions include Carnegie Mellon, IUP, Penn State, U Penn, Pitt, and Temple. Graduate students are invited to submit proposals and to register for the Symposium (registration is free).
For further information about this event (including final schedule, call for proposals, registration, housing information, and venue), please click here.
November 9, 2009
Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts Celebrates 100 Years. To view the Centennial video, click here.
August 31, 2009
Liberal Arts Centennial Fellows
Congratulations to our honored alumni George C. Greer and Gilbert R. Watz, who have recently been announced as part of the Liberal Arts Centennial, which marks the founding of the College in 1909. For more information on the Liberal Arts Honors Fellows, click here.
April 23, 2009
New TESOL Minor Available for Penn State Students
Students interested in study abroad, joining the Peace Corps, applying for a Fulbright Exchange program, or simply looking to maximizing postgraduation opportunities now have a new option available to them in their academic studies. Penn State is introducing a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). For the rest of the story on page 3, click here
October 1, 2008
Pimsleur Award to Matt Poehner
Matt Poehner has received the Paul Pimlseur Award for his article "Beyond the Test: L2 Dynamic Assessment and the Transcendence of Mediated Learning", which appeared in the Modern Language Journal 91 (2007): 323-340. The Award is presented annually by the American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages and the Modern Language Journal to high quality research that impacts on foreign language learning and teaching. The Award is named in honor of Paul Pimsleur for his outstanding contributions to the field of language learning and teaching.
Matt is currently Assistant Professor of World Languages in the College of Education with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Applied Linguistics. He is also a principal investigator on a multi-year grant to develop Computerized Dynamic Assessment Language Proficiency Exams in French, Chinese and Russian.
CLA Travel Grants
Travel grants are available through the Center for graduate students for travel to/from conferences.
Download the Center for Language Acquisition travel grant application
Students may also apply for Department of Applied Linguistics travel grants.
Download the Applied Linguistics travel grant application
Notice: The Center and Applied Linguistics forms used for submitting requests for travel funding have both been updated. Please review the latest form, and verify that you are using this version when submitting a travel request.
Gil Watz Fellow Awards
The Center for Language Acquisition in conjunction with the College of the Liberal Arts will provide up to five dissertation fellowships per academic year for doctoral students working on a dissertation in applied linguistics. For more information click here.
Gil Watz Visiting Scholars Program
For more information click here or contact Jim Lantolf, Director of the Center for Language Acquisition at JPL7@PSU.EDU.
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Upcoming Events
Feb 11, 2010
Migration Studies Project Forthcoming Talks: Rochona Majumdar, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of ChicagoDepartment of South Asian ...
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Feb 25, 2010
Center Speakers Spring 2010 Speakers Series Professor Zhaohong Han, Teachers College, Columbia University will present a paper ti...
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Mar 01, 2010
PAALC 2010 Graduate Research Symposium The Pennsylvania Applied Linguistics Consortium (PAALC) 2010 Graduate Research Symposium was held January ...
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