Can learning apps REALLY support language learning? The research may be surprising - Shawn Loewen

Want to monetize your skills as a teacher? Book a free 1:1 with us to see if we can help.   "How do we make research meaningful for the classroom? What really helps students acquire grammar? Can apps ACTUALLY support second language learning?" These are some of the questions we tackled in our conversation with Dr. Shawn Loewen.  Shawn Loewen is Professor of Second Language Studies at Michigan State University, where he directs the doctoral program in SLS. His research focuses on instructed second language acquisition, the research-practice gap, and mobile-assisted language learning. He is the author of several influential books and serves as associate editor of The Modern Language Journal. His new book, "Edited Volume in Instructed SLA" is out now.    In our discussion, we dive into: whether the explicit vs implicit debate matters if people can actually learn languages on "those apps" pattern recognition and why some learners “just get it” task-based language teaching vs. Instructed SLA why most institutions don't really know what their approach to learning is  leveraging AI and technology for learning  bridging the gap between researchers and teachers the limits and potential of communicative language teaching   FOR MORE FROM DR. SHAWN LOEWEN: 1. His book "Edited Volume in Instructed SLA" 2. Connect on LinkedIn 3. His publications  4. His website   Support Teacher Talking Time: Do you help students prepare for the TOEFL test? Check out My Speaking Score - an AI platform with data-driven feedback to help students get 26 on TOEFL speaking. Trusted by over 100,000 TOEFL test takers. My Speaking Score: https://www.myspeakingscore.com/   Thank you for listening. Your support has been overwhelming and we couldn't do what we do without you. We hope this podcast serves as an effective CPD tool for you.   Collaborate with us: Want to integrate your brand with our podcast in an effort to improve language education? Reach out here: [email protected]    RESOURCES TO HELP YOU: 1. Join our Substack community.  2. Book a free 1:1 chat with us to strategize your teaching business.  3. Follow the LYE YouTube Channel 4. Learn how to monetize your teaching skills with TAP  5. Download our free guides for teacherpreneurs.