Research in Languages, Cultures, & Applied Linguistics
Faculty, staff and graduate student researchers in the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics (LCAL) engage in scholarship that advances the study of language, culture and communication in a global context. Our work bridges theory and practice, drawing on interdisciplinary appreoaches to address critical questions in how people learn, use and experience langauges.
Our research is centered in three core areas:
Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition (ALSLA)
How do people acquire languages beyond thier first?
Scholars in ALSLA investigate the processes that shape language learning across diverse contexts, from classrooms to everyday interactions. This work contributes to the design of more effective teaching practices, the development of inclusive educational policies and a deeper understanding of how languages are learned and sustained across communities.
Literary and Cultural Studies (LCS)
How are identities expressed, negotiated and transformed through cultural production?
LCAL faculty, staff and graduate students analyze the ways in which race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class and national identity are represented across cultures and historical moments. By studying these diverse forms, we illuminate how culture not only reflects but actively constructs the human experience — and how learning about others' cultural expressions enables us to reflect critically on our own.
Technology-Enhanced Language Learning (TELL)
How can technology expand access to and transform the teaching of languages and cultures?
Our research examines the design, use and impact of digital tools and immersive environments for language education. Through this work, LCAL contributes to the development of innovative curricula that leverage technology to create meaningful, globalized learning experiences.
LCAL Research Spaces & Labs
Center for Black European Studies & the Atlantic (CBESA)
CBESA is an interdisciplinary research hub dedicated to the collection, production, restoration, dissemination and promotion of scholarship on people of African descent in Europe.
The Kenner Room
The Kenner Room is a dynamic space dedicated to fostering immersive learning, innovative teaching and groundbreaking research at Carnegie Mellon University.
Language Acquisition, Processing, and Pedagogy (LAPP) Lab
LAPP Lab takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the mechanisms and architecture underlying language acquisition and processing. Our work bridges linguistics, psychology, speech science, and education, and aims to contribute real-world pedagogical innovations that improve language teaching and learning.
LCAL Studio & Humanities Commons
The LCAL Studio serves as a gathering space for student groups and classes and also hosts a multimedia workspace and rental equipment.