Lorna Carson

Language Modules Coordinator and Assistant Professor in Applied Linguistics

Research Interests

I have two central research interests: second language learning from a variety of perspectives (pedagogy, curriculum design, language learner autonomy) and multilingualism/migration, with a current emphasis on urban multilingualism. I’m also involved in establishing East Asian Studies research at TCD.

Selected Publications

Books/book chapters/reports

• Carson, L. (2012). The motivational role of goal-setting: An ethnographic study of adult refugees learning English in Ireland. Berlin: LAP, 359pp. (Ph.D. thesis)
• Carson, L. & Extra, G. (2010). Multilingualism in Dublin: Home language use among primary school children, report on a pilot survey. Dublin: Centre for Language and Communication Studies, 66pp.
• O'Rourke, B. & Carson, L. (2010). Language learner autonomy: Policy, curriculum, classroom. Oxford: Peter Lang. 413pp.
• Carson, L. (2010). Innovation and Autonomy in an Institution-wide Language Programme. In (Eds.) O'Rourke, B. & Carson, L., Language learner autonomy: Policy, curriculum, classroom. Oxford: Peter Lang, pp151 - 170.
• Carson, L. (2005), Multilingualism in Europe: A case study (2nd ed.). Brussels, Peter Lang. 116pp.
Articles

• Carson, L. (2011). Portfolio learning in the English language classroom: What, why and how in the case of the European Language Portfolio. Ultimate Teacher, Vol. 2. ELTA, Albania
• Carson, L., (2010). Language learner autonomy: Myth, magic or miracle? , Proceedings of the international conference, 'From Teaching to Learning: Current Trends in English Language Teaching', From Teaching to Learning: Current Trends in English Language Teaching, Macedonia, pp77 – 100
• Carson, L., (2008). Refugee Agency and Autonomy in English Language Acquisition, Translocations: The Irish Migration, Race and Social Transformation Review, 3, (1)
• Carson, L. (2007). Relatedness and learner autonomy: A case study of an adult refugee learning English in Ireland, Reflections on English Language Teaching, 6, (2) pp. 21 - 38

Teaching/Supervision

I teach two core postgraduate courses for students in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching: Second Language Curriculum Planning and Implementation, and Language Testing. My undergraduate teaching, on language learning and multilingualism, is within two Broad Curriculum courses, Language, the Individual and Society, and Language and the Mind. I am also responsible for the university’s institution-wide language learning programmes in second/foreign languages and in English for Academic Purposes.

I provide postgraduate supervision in applied linguistics for taught and research postgraduates in the areas of curriculum design, L2 pedagogy, L2 language learning, multilingualism and migration studies.

Lorna Carson on the TCD Research Support System

Contact Details

Centre for Language and Communication Studies
Room 3039
Arts Building
Trinity College
Dublin 2.

Telephone: +353 1 896 4035
Fax: +353 1 896 2941
Email: carsonle@tcd.ie