Teacher Talking Time: The Learn YOUR English Podcast

Grammar is in the BRAIN, not on a piece of paper - Tania Ionin & Silvina Montrul

Jun 18, 2024

Join Tania Ionin and Silvina Montrul as they discuss grammar knowledge in language acquisition, intervention research, educator influence on grammar learning, conditions for effective grammar instruction, and the study of monolinguals to understand L2 acquisition. They explore adult language learning challenges, literate vs. illiterate native speakers in a study on grammatical knowledge, explicit vs. implicit grammar teaching, and the evolving nature of language classrooms.

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Intro

00:00 • 5min

Exploring Second Language Acquisition and Grammar Knowledge

05:26 • 29min

Challenges and Expectations in Adult Language Learning

34:40 • 2min

Gratitude and Plans for Elevating Content

36:20 • 3min

Exploring Language Instruction Approaches and Grammar Knowledge

39:03 • 23min

Co-authoring a Book on Intervention Research and Grammar Teaching Strategies

01:02:00 • 13min

Exploring Competing Theories in Linguistics and Language Teaching

01:14:35 • 6min

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Grammar instruction or grammar learning? We dive into this with today's guests.

Tania Ionin is a Professor of Linguistics and Director of Graduate Studies in Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her areas of expertise include second language acquisition and experimental semantics, with a focus on the nominal domain.

Silvina Montrul is Marjorie Roberts Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is the director of the Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism Lab, founder and director of the University Language Academy for Children, and former director of the Doctoral Program in Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Education (SLATE).

Together, they have written and published the book "Second Language Acquisition: Introducing Intervention Research."

In this episode, they discuss:

grammatical knowledge in the context of language acquisition
what intervention research is
why we expect too much of adult learners
how instruction contributes or doesn't contribute to grammar acquisition
efficacious conditions for grammar instruction
how educators can influence the learning of grammar
why studying monolinguals helps to understand L2 acquisition
literate vs illiterate native speakers for a study on grammatical knowledge

For more on today's guests:

1. Get their book "SLA: Introducing Intervention Research"

2. Silvina's website

3. Tania's website

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