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

2025-11-14

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 mo...

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

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