Research at Language and Communication
At the Unit for Language and Communication we conduct research in two basic areas: language use in the increasingly multilingual Swedish university environment and computer-assisted language learning. Our research is governed by a desire to make maximum use of our KTH environment.
The Multilingual University
- We are investigating the notion of pragmatic ability in dialogic student speech in content courses where English is the academic lingua franca (2010-). The first four months of the project was funded by Vetenskapsrådet. (link)
- We are investigating the use question intonation in natural lingua franca monologue and dialogue, funded by the Lars Hierta Memorial Foundation (2010-). (link)
- We participated in the first stage of the EVA project (2009-2010), financed by Vetenskapsrådet, which studies how students acquire English vocabulary through their academic reading and listening.
- We have created a database of dual-language presentations that has yielded interesting results regarding the adaptations even competent second language speakers must make when speaking English.
Computer-assisted Language Learning
- With researchers from the Speech group we are testing the premises for cutting-edge applications of speech technology to provide pedagogical feedback to speakers learning how to make interesting and effective oral presentations.
- Ville, an animated agent that provides tutoring in Swedish pronunciation, has been developed by the Speech group, and is tested regularly by our students of Swedish.
Previous projects
- In cooperation with Stockholm University, we carried out a PhD project (2005-2010), investigating the form and communicative effectiveness of spoken lingua franca English in applied science education.
- "The 1st European Kanbun Workshop": in July 2007, the 1st European Kanbun Workshop was held in cooperation with the Historiographical Institute of The University of Tokyo. The workshop was part of a project that provides a forum for researchers on Japanese history and translated historical material from the Heian-period. The organizer was Yoko Takau-Drobin who is writing her doctoral dissertation in historiography. Her subject is how academic subject history has been established in Japan. Report (in Japanese)
- The SEED project (2006-2008) created a database of teaching and research materials at the tertiary level of English education in Sweden.
- "Exchange students learning languages in a trilingual environment" (2005-2007) studied the language environments of exchange students at Scandinavian universities (Caudery, T., Petersen, M., & Shaw, P., 2008).
- "Research writing in two environments" compared the writing done by 'industridoktorander' at work and at KTH.
- A PhD project (2000-2005) in cooperation with the Speech group at TMH studied the way advanced language learners can find computer support for their language development.
