Professor Lorna Carson
Professor in Applied Linguistics, C.L.C.S.
Head of School, Sch. Office - Linguistic Speech & Comm.
Biography
Lorna Carson is Head of the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences and Professor in Applied Linguistics. She holds a B.A. (Mod.), M.Phil. in Applied Linguistics and Ph.D. from Trinity College Dublin, and an M.A. in European Studies (Human Resource Management) from the College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium. She was the Founding Director of the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies, a multidisciplinary teaching and research centre which brings together the university's expertise in Japanese, Korean and Chinese Studies. She presently directs the activities of Trinity's Centre for English Language Learning and Teaching (CELLT). She was elected to the University Council from 2012 to 2024. She chairs FSD's Procurement Steering Group and convenes the Common Room's Research Salon Series. In 2015 she was elected a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin.
Professor Carson is a former President of IRAAL, the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics (2014-2017). She is a member of the Governing Body of Marino Institute of Education, and also sits on its Academic Council.
Professor Carson's research on language learning addresses issues located at the interface between individual and societal multilingualism, with a particular attention on the language classroom, with a focus on language learning, language education policy and assessment.
Her books include "Language and Identity in Europe: The Multilingual City and its Citizens" (2020, Peter Lang), "The Multilingual City: Vitality, Conflict and Change", co-edited with Lid King (2016, Multilingual Matters); "Language Learner Autonomy: Policy, Curriculum, Classroom", co-edited with Breffni O'Rourke (2010, Peter Lang), and "Multilingualism in Europe: A Case Study" (2003, 2005, Peter Lang).
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Multilingual Practices in Primary Education in Europe: A Scoping Review in, editor(s)Carson, Lorna, Chung Kam Kwok and Caroline Smyth , Language and Identity in Europe: The Multilingual City and its Citizens, Oxford, Peter Lang, 2020, pp125 - 144, [McTiernan, Kathleen, Aoife Parkes and Lorna Carson]
Carson, Lorna, Chung Kam Kwok and Caroline Smyth, Language and Identity in Europe: The Multilingual City and its Citizens, Oxford , Peter Lang, 2020, 1-262pp
Tien, Adrian, Ning Jiang and Lorna Carson, An Anatomy of Chinese Offensive Words: A Lexical and Semantic Analysis, London, Palgrave Macmillan, 2021
European Multilingual Cities and Their Citizens: Research Perspectives in, editor(s)Carson, Lorna, Chung Kam Kwok and Caroline Smyth , Language and Identity in Europe: The Multilingual City and its Citizens, Oxford, Peter Lang, 2020, pp7 - 22, [Hristova, Penka, Daniela Modrescu, Dilyana Pavlova and Lorna Carson]
Kwok, Chung Kam and Lorna Carson, Integrativeness and intended effort in language learning motivation amongst some young adult learners of Japanese, Language Learning in Higher Education, 8, (2), 2018, p265 - 279
Carson, Lorna, Improving online language assessment: Using Pecha Kucha to assess spoken production in English, Caracteres. Estodios culturales y críticos de la esfera digital, 6, (2), 2017, p196 - 214
King, Lid and Lorna Carson, Multilingual Identities: A Study of Attitudes towards Multilingualism in Three European Cities, London, The Languages Company, 2017, 1-107pp
Multilingualism in the City: The Case of Dublin in, editor(s)King, Lid and Lorna Carson , Multilingual Identities: A Study of Attitudes to Multilingualism in Three European Cities, London, The Languages Company, 2017, pp36 - 48, [Modrescu, Daniela and Lorna Carson]
TEANGA, The Irish Journal of Applied Linguistics, 24, (2016), 1 - 98p, Carson, Lorna
King, Lid, and Lorna Carson, The Multilingual City: Vitality, Conflict and Change, Bristol, Multilingual Matters, 2016, 1 - 232pp
Multilingualism is Lived Here in, editor(s)King, Lid and Lorna Carson , The Multilingual City: Vitality, Conflict and Change, Bristol, Multilingual Matters, 2016, pp1 - 12, [Carson, Lorna and Lid King]
The Sights and Sounds of the Multilingual City in, editor(s)King, Lid and Lorna Carson , The Multilingual City: Vitality, Conflict and Change, Bristol, Multilingual Matters, 2016, pp49 - 86, [Carson, Lorna]
McMonagle, Sarah & Carson, Lorna, Language Diversity in Dublin: Challenging the Monolingual Habitus?, Urban Fragmentations: Borders & Identity III, Berlin, Humboldt University, 16-19 March, 2015
Carson, Lorna, The E-Lengua Project: Using 'Pecha Kucha' to assess spoken production in English, Annual Conference of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics, University of Limerick, 18 November, 2017
Conducting Longitudinal Research Among Adult Refugees in, editor(s)Rose, Heath and Jim McKinley , Doing Research in Applied Linguistics: Realities, Dilemmas, and Solutions, Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge, 2017, pp114 - 123, [Carson, Lorna]
Carson, Lorna, Plenary address: Towards 'ordinary multilingualism': In life and in the language classroom., 22nd International Symposium on Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, 24-26 April, 2014
Carson, Lorna, Understanding and develping plurilingual resources for the multilingual classroom, International Mother Tongue Day Seminar , Drumcondra Education Centre, 13 February, 2014, ELSTA, English Language Support Teachers' Association
Carson, Lorna, Sarah McMonagle and Déirdre Murphy, Multilingualism in Dublin: LUCIDE City Report, London, The London School of Economics and Political Science, 2014
English Fever: Problematising English Language Proficiency Testing in South Korea in, editor(s)O'Hagan, Minako and Qi Zhang , Conflict and Communication: A Changing Asia in A Globalising World, New York, Nova, 2016, pp1 - 20, [Carson, Lorna]
Rose, Heath and Lorna Carson, Focus on East Asia: Language Learning and Teaching, Language Learning in Higher Education, 4, (2), 2014, p257 - 270
Language Learning in Higher Education, 4, 2, (2014), 257 - 505p, Carson, Lorna and Heath Rose, [Guest Editors], Special Issue
McMonagle, Sarah and Lorna Carson, Language diversity in Dublin: In search of a prefix, Paper presented at the 3rd LINEE+ Conference: Linguistic and cultural diversity in space and time, Dubrovnik, 28-30 April, 2014
An Exploration of the Roles of English in Societal and Individual Multilingualism in Korea in, editor(s)Bertoni, Roberto , EurKorea 2013: European Perspectives of Korea, Turin, Trauben, 2014, pp2 - 25, [Carson, Lorna]
Carson, Lorna, English and internationalization in the context of university language centres, Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Association of University Language Centres in the UK and Ireland, University College Dublin, 9-10 January, 2014
Gibbes, Marina and Lorna Carson, Project-based language learning: An activity theory analysis, Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 8, (2), 2014, p171 - 189
Carson, Lorna, The roles of English in the Korean language testing landscape, Paper presented at the 5th Annual Conference of the Asia Studies Ireland Association, Dublin City University, 16-17 November, 2013
Carson, Lorna, English language learning in South Korea: Social, educational and economic significance, Paper presented at the EURKOREA Conference, Trinity College Dublin, 7-9 November, 2013
Carson, Lorna, Affordances and challenges for language learning and use in urban contexts: The LUCIDE project, Paper presented at the UME 2013 Conference on Urban Multilingualism and Education, Universiteit Gent, Belgium, March, 2013
Carson, Lorna and Eunjee Do, Establishing a Korean language programme in a European Higher Education context: Rationale, curriculum and assessment procedures, Language Learning in Higher Education, 3, (1), 2013, p151 - 171
Carson, Lorna, The LUCIDE network: Languages in Urban Communities - Integration and Diversity for Europe., European Journal of Applied Linguistics, 1, (2), 2013, p305 - 312
Carson, Lorna, Cumann na Teangeolaíochta Feidhmí / Irish Association for Applied Linguistics (IRAAL), European Journal of Applied Linguistics, 1, (2), 2013, p293 - 304
Perspectives on Korea within and from Contemporary Europe: The cases of Italy and Ireland. in, editor(s)Bertoni, Roberto , Scorci di Korea/Views on Korea, Turin, Trauben, 2013, pp2 - 13, [Carson, Lorna]
Minority Language Use in Ireland: The Time Feature in, Singleton, David, Joshua Fishman, Larissa Aronin and Muiris O Laoire , Current Multilingualism: A New Linguistic Dispensation , Berlin, Mouton de Gruyter, 2013, pp121 - 138, [Singleton, David, Larissa Aronin and Lorna Carson]
Carson, Lorna, Multilingualism in Urban Contexts: Affordances and Challenges, Paper presented at the Anéla 2012 Applied Linguistics Conference, Lunteren, Netherlands, May, 2012
Carson, Lorna, The role of drama in task-based learning: Agency, identity and autonomy, Scenario Journal for Drama and Theatre in Foreign and Second Language Education, 6, (2), 2012, p46 - 59
Carson, Lorna and Déirdre Murphy, Design and implementation of dramatic tasks in an English for Academic Purposes programme, Language Learning in Higher Education The Journal of the European Confederation of Language Centres in Higher Education (CercleS) , 1, (1), 2012, p127 - 142
Carson, Lorna, Home language use by primary school children in Dublin, Paper presented at the XXIX AESLA Conference, University of Salamanca, Spain, May, 2011
Carson, Lorna, Plurilingualism in Dublin: Immigrant languages at home and at school, 11th International CercleS Conference, 2-4 September, Helsinki, Finland, 2010
Carson, Lorna, Language learner autonomy: Myth, magic or miracle?, Proceedings of the International Conference, 'From Teaching to Learning: Current Trends in English Language Teaching', Macedonia, edited by Andrew Goodspeed and Benjamin Keating , 2010
Carson, Lorna and Guus Extra, Multilingualism in Dublin: Home Language Use Among Primary School Children, Report on a Pilot Survey, Dublin: Centre for Language and Communication Studies/Tilburg, NL, Tilburg University, 2010, 67
Innovation and Autonomy in an Institution-Wide Language Programme in, editor(s)O'Rourke, Breffni, and Lorna Carson , Language Learner Autonomy: Policy, Curriculum, Classroom, Oxford, Peter Lang, 2010, pp151 - 170, [Carson, Lorna]
O'Rourke, Breffni and Lorna Carson, Language Learner Autonomy: Policy, Curriculum, Classroom, Oxford, Peter Lang, 2010, 1-413pp
Language and learners, interdependence and autonomy in, editor(s)O'Rourke, Breffni and Lorna Carson , Language learner autonomy: Policy, curriculum, classroom, Oxford, Peter Lang, 2010, ppxix - xxv, [Carson, Lorna and Breffni O'Rourke]
Carson, Lorna, Learner/teacher autonomy in EFL curriculum design: The challenge for EAP language support, 7th Asian EFL Journal International Conference, Busan, Korea, April, 2009
Carson, Lorna, Language Movements and Activism: Pride and Prejudice in Ulster, Paper delivered at the Ulster Scots Seminar: Linguistic, Literary and Cultural Perspectives, Trinity College Dublin, February, 2009
O'Leary, Denise and Lorna Carson, Foreign languages in Irish post-primary education: Provision, participation and performance, LPLL Conference: Language Policy and Language Learning: New Paradigms and New Challenges, University of Limerick, June, 2009
Carson, Lorna, Assessment in an institution-wide modern languages programme: using the Common European Framework of Reference, Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE), University of Cambridge, April, 2008
Carson, Lorna, Relating to the host community: Adult refugees learning English, Paper delivered at the 15th World Congress of Applied Linguistics (AILA), University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, August, 2008
Carson, Lorna, Assessing an Institution-Wide Language Programme using the European Language Portfolio and the Common European Framework of Reference, 10th International CercleS Conference, Seville, Spain, 2008
Carson, Lorna, Refugee Agency and Autonomy in English Language Acquisition, Translocations: The Irish Migration, Race and Social Transformation Review, 3, (1), 2008
Carson, Lorna, A Case Study of an Adult Refugee Learning English in Ireland, The English Language Teaching and Learning Landscape, Proceedings of the 2nd CELC Symposium for English Language Teachers: Bridging Research and Pedagogy, University of Singapore, 30 May - 1 June, edited by Wu S. M., T. R. F. Tupas, Chew M. L., M. L. C. Sadorra, C. Varaprasad , 2008, pp149 - 162
Carson, Lorna, Autonomy and Language Learning: A Case Study of an Adult Refugee Learning English in Ireland, Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference of theCentre for English Language Communication Skills, National University of Singapore, 30 May - 1 June, 2007
Carson, Lorna, Relatedness and learner autonomy: a case study of an adult refugee learning English, Reflections on English Language Teaching, 6, (2), 2007, p21 - 38
Singleton, David, Aronin, Larissa, & Carson, Lorna, Minority Language Use in Ireland: The Time Feature, Paper delivered at the 11th International Conference on Minority Languages, 2007, Pécs, Hungary, 2007
Carson, Lorna, Multilingualism in Europe: A Case Study, 2nd edn, Brussels, Peter Lang, 2005, 118pp
Carson, Lorna, Perceptions of monolingualism and multilingualism, INSOLICO'12, the 12th International Conference in Sociolinguistics of the International Sociolinguistic Society in Sofia, ISOLISO, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Bulgaria, 5 & 6 June 2015, 2015
Carson, Lorna, Investigating urban multilingualism, Forward Thinking in Applied Linguistics, 40th anniversary conference of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics (IRAAL), Trinity College Dublin, 21 November 2015, 2015
Carson, Lorna , LUCIDE Toolkit: Learning New Languages, 2014, - 1-16
Carson, Lorna, Fostering engagement with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and the European Language Portfolio: Learning from good practice in university language centres, Language Learning in Higher Education, 6, (2), 2016, p275 - 282
Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
Carson, Lorna, Ning Jiang, Mengqi Zhou and John Egan, Some Perspectives of Language Learners and Teachers on the Short Course in Chinese Language and Culture, Dublin, CLCS, Trinity College Dublin for the Post-Primary Languages Initiative, 2019
Carson, Lorna, Invited keynote. Researching multilingualism for inclusion and participation - A "Languages through the Lifespan" Approach, Joint Conference Pharos University in Alexandria, Egypt,, Faculty of Languages and Translation & Trinity College Dublin "Translation and Teaching English: Challenges and Perspectives", 11-12 March, 2022, PUA/TCD
Carson, Lorna, Plenary. Migration, diversity, and maintaining home languages, Celebrating Multilingualism in Ireland , NUI Galway, 23 April, 2016
Carson, Lorna, Keynote. Ordinary Multilingualism: Exploring the interface between the language classroom and life beyond the classroom., German Teachers' Association of Ireland Annual Conference, Deutschlernen fürs Leben, nicht nur für die Schule, Trinity College Dublin, 15 November, 2014, Gesellschaft der Deutschlehrer Irlands
Carson, Lorna, Keynote. The Role of Drama in Task-Based Learning, "Plot me no plots": Theatre in university language teaching, Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy, 14-15 October, 2011
Carson, Lorna, Keynote. Learner autonomy and its benefits for ESOL students, National Adult Literacy Agency ESOL Conference, All Hallows College, Dublin, 9 June, 2011, NALA
Carson, Lorna, Applied Linguistics in Ireland: A changing landscape , XXIX AESLA Conference, AILA-Europe panel, University of Salamanca, Spain, May, 2011
Carson, Lorna, Multilingualism in Dublin, IRAAL Public Lecture in partnership with Dublin City Council Office for Integration, Pearse Street Library, 9 May, 2011, IRAAL/Dublin City Council
Carson, Lorna, Keynote., International conference "From Teaching to Learning: Current Trends in English Language Teaching", South East European University, Macedonia, April, 2010
Carson, Lorna, Laura Sadlier and Carmel Grehan, Public Lecture. Language learning, teaching and assessment: A brief insight into the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, Centre for Deaf Studies Public Talk Series, Trinity College Dublin, 10 December, 2009
Carson, Lorna, Public Lecture. The CEFR and the ELP in an Institution-Wide Language Programme, University College Dublin, Applied Language Centre, May, 2009
Carson, Lorna, Keynote, French Teachers' Association of Ireland National Conference, All Hallows College Dublin, October, 2008
Convenor, 5th AILA-Europe Junior Researcher Meeting in Applied Linguistics, 18-20 June, 2013, Dublin
Carson, Lorna, Plenary. Motivational goal-setting: How to use the many resources contained within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages., International Symposium "The Future of Foreign Language Education in a Global World: Exploring Motivation and Autonomy, University of Toyama, Japan, 19 February, 2017, Center for International Education and Research, University of Toyama
Carson, Lorna, Keynote. Using the tools of The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in assessing speaking skills: Theory and methods, XXIII Seminario AICLU, " Speaking skills for internationalisation and inclusion: the role of University Language Centres", University of Padua, 24-26 May, 2018, Associazione Italiana Centri Linguistici Universitari
Co-Convenor of European Association for Language Testing and Assessment (EALTA), VIth EALTA CEFR SIG, 27 January, 2018, Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute
Carson, Lorna, Plenary. Shifting language policy into the 21st century: How to innovate, diversify and thrive, Joint NUI-UCC Symposium 'Foreign Language Learning and Ireland's 'Languages Connect' Strategy'', University College Cork, 30 Nov, 2018, National University of Ireland
Carson, Lorna, Language and Identity in Europe: The Multilingual City and its Citizens, EURASIA Online Dissemination Conference, 29 May, 2020, Sofia University, Bulgaria
Convenor, Eco-Urbanites: International Multidisciplinary Symposium in Comparative Urban Studies, 26 - 28 Jan, 2017, Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute
Co-Convenor, Third Joint Osaka University International Symposium: Japanese Studies in a Global Context, 30 Nov - 2 Dec, 2017, Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute
Convenor, 40th Anniversary Conference of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics. Forward Thinking in Applied Linguistics, 21 Nov, 2014, Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute
Co-Convenor, EURKOREA International Conference. European Perspectives on Korea, 7 - 9 Nov, 2013
Convenor, International Seminar of the European Confederation of Language Centres in Higher Education. The CEFR, the ELP and university language centres: New perspectives and new challenges, 11 - 12 June, 2014, Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute
Convenor, Annual Conference of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics. Paradigm Shifting in Applied Languages: New Theories and New Methods, 19 Nov, 2016, Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute
Carson, Lorna, The futures of this island and its values: Multilingual Ireland, Trinity Long Room Hub 10th Anniversary Symposium , Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute, 19 February, 2020
Carson, Lorna, Approaches to migration: Linguistic perspectives, Factions, Fears, and Fake News. A symposium organized by the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute, Trinity College Dublin, and the Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities, Columbia University, New York , Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute, 7 Nov, 2017
Carson, Lorna, Cosmopolitanism in the City, Cosmopolitanism: Literature, Language, Pedagogy. Joint Symposium organised by the School of English, Trinity College Dublin, and the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Fudan University, Shanghai, Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute, 1 Feb, 2018
Zhang, Chang, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. Demotivation in Learning Chinese as an Additional Language: Insights of Irish Chinese Learners, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2020
Nicolaou, Anna, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. The Affordances of Virtual Exchange for Developing Global Competence and Active Citizenship in Content-based Language Learning., Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2020
Shao, Lijie, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. Case Studies of English-Medium Instruction in Higher Education: Business Programmes in China, Japan and the Netherlands, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2019
Jiang, Ning, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. Self-regulation and Chinese character learning strategies in Irish Higher Education, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2019
Schroedler, Tobias, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. The Irish economy and its language needs : an analysis of the perceived economic value of foreign languge learning in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2016
Yilmaz, Alev, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. Grammatical, lexical and phonological control by adults learning Turkish : a corpus-based approach to expanding the Can Do descriptors in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2015
Kwok, Chung Kam, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. The role of self and identity in motivating learners of Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2017
Jiang, Renfeng, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. The language learning motivation of Chinese postgraduate students in Ireland : from the perspectives of Neo-Confucian learning philosophy, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2017
Moore, Alison, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. Do adult simultaneous bilinguals outperform adult sequential bilinguals in simulated experimental bi-directional simultaneous interpreting tasks?, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2018
Sheekey, Peter, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. How can socially-situated practices help adult migrant language learners in Ireland make meaning of their lived experiences and forge stronger English language identities? A narrative inquiry, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2015
Alkubaidi, Miriam, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. Investigating perceived challenges in English language writing instruction : An action research study in a Saudi university preparatory programme, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2017
Gibbes, Marina, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. A complexity theory approach to collaborative language learning, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2016
Riordan, Emma, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. Language for teaching purposes : an analysis of the spoken language needs of non-native speaker language teachers, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2014
Syrbe, Mona, Supervised Doctoral Thesis. The representation of Global Englishes in English teaching and testing materials : an investigation of international textbooks and proficiency tests, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, 2017
XCELING Consortium, '7Ling app', 2020, -
Meynen, Thomas and Wim Forceville, Joana Duarte, Markus Visser, Durk Gorter, Ydwine Scarse, Lorna Carson, Kathleen McTiernan, Cor van der Meer. , 'Babelar app', VirtuLApp Consortium, Gent, Belgium , 2021, -
Carson, Lorna , Engaging with language diversity in primary schools across Europe: The VirtuLApp project, EAL Journal, (E-issue 14), 2021, p74 - 76
Carson, Lorna, Using educational technology in a multilingual setting, Plurilingual education in Europe: sharing research and practice, International online event, 6 April, 2022, Institute for Applied Linguistics, Eurac Research, Italy
Research Expertise
Description
I am an Applied Linguist who specialises in multilingualism and language learning research. I employ a range of methods to interrogate the features and contexts of multilingual society and to determine how successful individual language learning occurs. Given the centrality of language to human identity, interaction and social activity, multilingualism encompasses a broad spectrum of cultural, political and social norms as well as power relations. My work seeks to support language provision for all language users, through diversifying language choices and recognising language proficiency as an essential form of human capital beyond the economic. I am passionate about the application of research findings to language learning in practice - especially among learners, teachers, trainers and policy-makers. Dublin is home to several hundred languages used daily in the city. Yet these many languages are often ignored, unknown or invisible. Often, they are seen as an obstacle or a deficit to be overcome, replaced by a level of fluency in English, at the expense of family relationships and connections. My research investigates how our first languages and multilingual repertoires serve as a powerful individual resource as well as supporting social cohesion. I am committed to sharing research findings with practitioners in ways that enhance language learning outcomes for all. Key themes in my research include: . Formal language learning provision and the classroom, at primary, post-primary and third levels. . Delivering research-led tools for successful language learning, including digital applications, toolkits and curriculum content . Informal language learning (home languages, minority, heritage, second/foreign, etc.) throughout the lifespan . Assessment & certification in second/foreign language development . Benchmarking & curriculum specification, including work based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages . Driving theories of multilingual society, in urban environments through the study of linguistic landscapes and within schools, government, places of employment, worship etc.Projects
- Title
- INCLUDEED
- Summary
- INCLUDEED ("Social cohesion and INclusion: DEveloping the EDucational possibilities of the European Multilingual Heritage") is a multilingual project whose main objective is the integration of immigrant and refugee groups in Europe through one of Europe's main assets: its languages. It involves the participation of leading universities in Applied Linguistic and language teaching. The consortium has previous joint experience in creating high quality materials for the use with groups at risk of exclusion. This project has the inclusion of disadvantaged groups as a central aim of its actions. With this, it responds directly to the priority "Social inclusion", and does so with an innovative approach in two ways: on the one hand, it addresses the sociolinguistic and cultural integration of groups of immigrants and refugees who already have basic linguistic skills in the host language. It is therefore a further step in their process of adaptation to the new environment, acquiring very important skills in the development of their professional and personal activities.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2021
- Date To
- 2024
- Title
- Read with MEE
- Summary
- Read with MEE: Read with Multilingual Early Education Erasmus+ project that supports literacy development in young multilinguals aged 2-6, especially those from minority and migrant language backgrounds.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 31-12-2023
- Date To
- 30-12-2026
- Title
- BAQONDE
- Summary
- BAQONDE Erasmus+ KA CBHE
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2021
- Date To
- 2024
- Title
- VirtuLApp
- Summary
- The VirtuLApp project is delivered by an international consortium, comprising the Fryske Akademy/Mercator Research Centre (The Netherlands), ATiT (Belgium), Luca School of Arts (Belgium), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) and Universidad del Pais Vasco (Spain). Together, we are developing an innovative multididactic approach which teachers can use in the classroom in any multilingual situation. The needs of teachers (more knowledge about and tools for multilingual education, integration of migrant languages and lesser language separation) will be addressed with the development of a multi-player augmented and virtual reality app about multilingual education and the development of a digital handbook and toolkit with video-based documentation of best-practices of schools already using the heteroglossic approach in the classroom.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 01/09/2018
- Date To
- 31/08/2021
- Title
- Multilingualism and Language Learning: 'Cross-Language Dynamics: Reshaping Community'
- Summary
- This research project forms part of a large-scale research initiative 'Cross-Language Dynamics: Reshaping Community', an AHRC-Funded OWRI Programme, based at the University of Manchester, and in collaboration with the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Its focus is the intersection between multilingualism, language learning and higher education. The constantly increasing voluntary and forced mobility of people resulting from the forces of globalisation and political instabilities in various regions are having a dramatic impact on the linguistic make up of many nation-states, especially in Europe. New forms of linguistic diversity and multilingualism are emerging, involving different linguistic practices. These developments may result in changing attitudes towards multilingualism and in different views about the learning of other languages (e.g., which and how?). To date these issues received limited attention in the context of higher education. As universities play a key role in the preparation of the next generation of global citizens, it is important to examine students' linguistic profiles, language attitudes and language learning experiences as well as to gauge their language learning needs to operate successfully in the linguistically diverse and complex environments created by globalisation.
- Funding Agency
- AHRC
- Date From
- 2016
- Date To
- 2019
- Title
- XCELING
- Summary
- The XCELING project is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building project funded by the European Union which contributes to the modernization of foreign language teaching and learning in Egypt at different levels: 1. Modernization of language teaching methodologies, with emphasis on ICT 2. Pre-doctoral training and learning in Applied Linguistics 3. Open access language learning materials forArabic-speakers in social disadvantage (refugees, migrants, displaced persons) Along with Trinity College Dublin, the partner universities involved in the XCELING project are: University of Salamanca (coordinating partner), Pharos University In Alexandria, Minia University, Cairo University, University of Poitiers, Helwan University, University of Bologna, Heidelberg University, Alexandria University, University of Coimbra, Egyptian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2017
- Date To
- 2020
- Title
- E-LENGUA
- Summary
- The E-LENGUA project (2015-2018) was funded by the European Commission's Erasmus+ programme, and addressed optimization of the use of ICTs in language learning and teaching. The universities in this consortium were the University of Salamanca, the University of Poitiers, the University of Heidelberg, the University of Coimbra, the University of Cairo, the University of Bologna and Trinity College Dublin. The research team from Trinity College developed a series of tools for the online assessment of language proficiency which can be used in virtual learning environments.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2015
- Title
- EUROMEC
- Summary
- European identity formation is identified as an overarching theme with three dimensions of more focused research (patterns of European identity and citizenship among students studying courses in the area of EU Studies eliminating the constraint of knowledge deficit and information about European affairs), identities in urban contexts (the European multilingual city) and the issue of emerging new European young researchers' identities (exchanges and doctoral studies - an international study of processes and outcomes in the EU). A core task of the network is to build knowledge and become a reference point for researchers in these EU-related themes. The target group of the JM Network are young researchers (doctorate students, potential doctorate students and young researchers who have obtained a PhD degree in the past 5 years). Their profile is not limited to EU Studies departments. The Network aims at involving doctorate students and young researchers from different scientific areas through the open calls for participation and through inviting doctorate students from other scientific fields. The Network will run 3 summer schools as well as a range of events (seminars, workshops, conferences and final conference). The co-teaching activities are developed with the view of enhancing academic exchanges and cooperation.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- September 2014
- Date To
- August 2017
- Title
- LUCIDE | Languages in Urban Contexts - Integration and Diversity for Europe
- Summary
- The LUCIDE network is a consortium of European university and city partners with experience in researching multilingualism in urban settings, representing 13 European cities and two leading partner institutions in Canada (OLBI) and Australia (University of Melbourne). I am the work package leader for LUCIDE's research activities, coordinating a team of 60 researchers across the network in primary and secondary data collection. Through the network's workshops, city reports, seminars and other activities, LUCIDE aims to suggest some viable and convincing policy directions for the range of cities involved in its network where what is often described as a negative (the 'problem' of diversity) may be viewed as a solution for the future, with an impact beyond the partners and cities involved. (Funded by the European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme, KA2, 2011 - 2014.) Website: www.urbanlanguages.eu
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- Dec 2011
- Date To
- Nov 2014
- Title
- Investigating the Korean multilingual landscape.
- Summary
- Empirical study of the Korean semiotic landscape. The project is located within the interdisciplinary field of linguistic landscaping. It problematizes what is often taken for granted, indeed ignored, in the urban multilingual landscape. The study takes English and other European language borrowings as a principal unit of analysis, and investigates their usage in the visual public spaces of four key spheres: education, public/civic sphere, economic and community/private sphere. Some of the findings of this research project are published in: Carson, L. (2014), An exploration of the roles of English in societal and individual multilingualism in Korea, in R. Bertoni (Ed.) and Carson, L. (forthcoming book chapter), English fever: Problematising English language proficiency testing in South Korea.
- Funding Agency
- The Academy of Korean Studies/한국학중앙연구원
- Date From
- June 2013
- Date To
- August 2013
- Title
- Multilingualism in Northern British Columbia: People, Place and Belonging
- Summary
- This project examines multilingual policy and practices in Northern British Columbia, employing a mixed-methods research design, including archival research, investigation of linguistic landscape and ethnographic research. Conducted during my research sabbatical at the University of Northern British Columbia in 2012, the project gathered primary data on the connections and interaction between diverse language varieties and communities in the city of Prince George and surrounding area.
- Funding Agency
- International Council for Canadian Studies
- Date From
- 2012
- Date To
- 2013
Recognition
Representations
External Examiner, UCD Centre for English and Global Languages
Assessor, Irish Research Council
Marino Institute of Education, an associated College of Trinity College Dublin. Member of the Governing Body, Standing Committee of the Governing Body, and Academic Council.
President, Irish Association for Applied Linguistics (IRAAL)
The Academy of Korean Studies, Republic of Korea, Visiting Fellow
University of Northern British Columbia, Department of Anthropology. Visiting Scholar
External Examiner, Applied Languages Centre, University College Dublin
Invited Visiting Professor, Tomsk Polytechnic University, Russian Federation
Irish Association for Applied Linguistics (IRAAL), Member of the National Executive Committee.
Committee member, AILA Research Network on Learner Autonomy in Language Learning (ReNLA)
IRAAL representative, AILA-Europe network (Association Internationale de Linguistique Appliquée/International Association of Applied Linguistics)
Advisory Board, European Journal of Applied Linguistics
Expert, Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning
External Assessor, Degree Validation Panel, School of Languages, Law and Social Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology
Awards and Honours
Excellence in Research Supervision (Established Supervisor) Award
Provost's PhD Project Award
Fellow of Trinity College Dublin
Trinity Global Engagement Award
Japan Foundation, Grant for Intellectual Exchange Conferences
Trinity Long Room Hub Research Incentive Scheme
The Academy of Korean Studies, funded Visiting Fellowship
Recipient of a Faculty Research Program Award, International Council for Canadian Studies
Trinity College Dublin, Arts and Social Sciences Benefactions Fund
Memberships
Irish Association for Applied Linguistics
CercleS (Confédération Européenne des Centres de Langues de l'Enseignement Supérieur)
AILA - Association Internationale de Linguistique Appliquée
IFUT - Irish Federation of University Teachers