I have conducted research in the area of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) since 1996. My current research focuses on two main topics: Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and Plurilingualism in the EFL Classroom.
Current Research Areas:
- Teaching EFL (English as a Foreign Language) to Young Learners
- Computer-Assisted Language Learning
- Language Teacher Education
- Plurilingualism in the EFL Classroom
- Virtual Exchange in EFL education
- Virtual Exchange in Language Teacher Education
Current Research Projects:
- EU Project TEMPLATE (Technology-Mediated PLurilingual Activities for (language) Teacher Education).
- EU Project VALIANT (Virtual Innovation and Support Networks for Teachers)
- FuN-Kolleg (Heterogenität gestalten – starke Grundschulen entwickeln)
Concluded Research Projects:
ITiLT 2 (Interactive Teaching in Languages with Technology)
[link] |
 |
| Goal: |
Develop, promote, and disseminate new and innovative best practices in supporting interactive language teaching through the use of new and emerging interactive technologies, such as iPads, tablet PCs, learner response systems, and videoconferencing software |
| Role: |
Work package leader and expert for training module design |
| Duration: |
January 2015 – December 2017 (3 years) |
| Funding: |
European Commission – Strategic Partnership (Erasmus Plus) |
Developing Cross-linguistic and Cross-cultural Awareness in the EFL Primary Classroom
|
|
| Goal: |
Investigation of EFL primary school teachers’ perceptions towards multilin-gualism and design and evaluation of EFL language learning materials focusing on the development of cross-linguistic and cross-cultural awareness |
| Role: |
Principal Investigator |
| Duration: |
October 2013 – September 2016 (3 years) |
| Funding: |
Pädagogische Hochschule Schwäbisch Gmünd |
Toddler (Towards Opportunities for Disadvantaged and Diverse Learners
on the Early childhood Road)
[link] |
 |
| Goal: |
Raise awareness towards the educational benefits of high quality education and care for toddlers at risk and improve curriculum and teaching strategies of teacher education/in-service training |
| Role: |
Work Package leader: Early Language
Main aim: Identifing the characteritics that are important in dealing with multilingualism and multiculturalism in the pre-school setting |
| Duration: |
November 2010 – October 2013 (3 years) |
| Funding: |
European Commission – Lifelong Learning Programme |
|
ITiLT (Interactive Technologies in Language Teaching)
[link]
|
 |
| Goal: |
Design of a language teacher development programme to foster the effective use of interactive technologies in the language classroom |
| Role: |
Work package leader and expert for training module design |
| Duration: |
January 2011 – April 2013 (2.5 years) |
| Funding: |
European Commission – Lifelong Learning Programme |
|
Language Teachers’ Perspectives in Technology Integration (LTPTI)
[summary]
|
 |
| Scope: |
Investigating Technology Integration into the English Curriculum in Secondary Schools in Baden-Württemberg with a Focus on Teachers’ Perspectives |
| Role: |
Principal Investigator |
| Duration: |
October 2008 – February 2012 (3+ years) |
| Funding: |
Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst (State of Baden-Württemberg) and Pädagogische Hochschule Heidelberg |
Ongoing Research Collaborations:
|
McGill University (Canada)
[link]
|
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| Area: |
Digital Technologies and Plurilingual Pedagogies |
| Project: |
Plurilingual Virtual Exchange in Teacher Education |
| Partners: |
Department of English (Prof. Dr. Angelica Galante) [link] |
| Since: |
September 2022 |
| Funding: |
German Research Foundation (DFG) |
|
Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis (France)
[link]
|
 |
| Area: |
Computer-Assisted Language Learning |
| Project: |
Development of a theoretical model for the analysis of CALL materials and their use in the language classroom |
| Partners: |
Department of English (Dr. Shona Whyte) [link] |
| Since: |
July 2010 |
