One of the most interesting areas of research in second language acquisition is how language learners process and use multiword items, or chunks of language.  Theory and empirical research suggest that a pedagogical focus on multiword items can facilitate language learning.  I will start with an overview of what a multiword item is and will provide evidence for why multiword items are psychologically real.  The bulk of the talk will describe what we know about how to best teach these items. Sample activities for listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as for different proficiency levels, will be demonstrated.

Dr. Charlene Polio is a professor in the Department of Linguistics & Germanic, Slavic, Asian, & African Languages at Michigan State University. She is also a core faculty member in the Second Language Studies Program. Her main area of research is second language (L2) writing. She is particularly interested in the various research methods and measures used in studying L2 writing as well as the interface between the fields of L2 writing and second language acquisition (SLA). She has published and done research in the areas of SLA, foreign language classroom discourse, and behavior differences in novice vs. experienced teachers. Dr. Polio is the co-editor of TESOL Quarterly and the past associate editor of the Modern Language Journal.  She is also a member-at-large for the American Association for Applied Linguistics.

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Co-sponsored by UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

Sponsor(s): Center for Southeast Asian Studies