Ken Beatty, Ph.D.

Professor: TESOL

Dr. Ken Beatty is a TESOL Professor in the Anaheim University Graduate School of Education. A specialist in the area of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), Dr. Beatty is the author/co-author of more than 140 textbooks and readers from the primary through university levels. Although most of these focus on various aspects of English as a Second Language, he also writes and reviews on the topic of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Dr. Beatty has worked at universities in Asia, North and South America, and the Middle East. He holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies from the University of Hong Kong.

MaryAnn Christison, Ph.D.

Professor: TESOL

Dr. MaryAnn Christison is a TESOL Professor in the Anaheim University Graduate School of Education. A past President of TESOL (1997-1998), MaryAnn Christison serves on the Board of Trustees for The International Research Foundation (TIRF). Holding a Ph.D. in English/Linguistics from the University of Utah, Dr. Christison has been teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in applied linguistics for over 30 years. She is the author of over 80 refereed articles in journals on language teaching and second language research and 18 books including Leadership in English Language Education: Theoretical foundations and practical skills for changing times (with D. E. Murray), A Handbook for Language Program Administrators (2nd Edition) (with F. L. Stoller), What language teachers need to know: Understanding learning (with D. E. Murray), What language teachers need to know: Facilitating learning (with D. E. Murray), Multiple intelligences and language learning, and Learning to teach languages. She has been a classroom teacher for 38 years, teaching in U.S. K-12, adult education, and university contexts. She has developed many multi-media projects, and online ESL Endorsement program, and four online courses for language teachers. Christison has been a teacher educator for over 20 years, working with teachers in the U.S. and in over 30 different countries. Her current research interests are in leadership, second language teacher development, and language and the brain.

Vivian Bussinguer-Khavari, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor: TESOL

Dr. Vivian Bussinguer-Khavari is a TESOL Assistant Professor in the Anaheim University Graduate School of Education. Originally from Brasilia, Brazil, she was raised bilingually, acquiring both Portuguese and English simultaneously, while attending an international school from age 3 to 18. Upon high school completion, she was granted a full scholarship by the Japanese government, offered directly by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. She took up the challenge of studying in a brand-new environment and pursued higher education in Japan. After studying the Japanese language for one year at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, she was admitted into Kobe University, where she remained for both the undergraduate and graduate programs, completing her bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, and eventually her master's and doctoral degree in Applied Linguistics. From a very young age, she has experienced multicultural and multilingual settings and has built an interest and passion for both multiculturalism and multilingualism. She has conducted research in the field of Heritage Language Education (HLE), studying Nikkei-Brazilian immigrant families in Japan, investigating their school-aged children's linguistic development in the L1 (Portuguese) and the L2 (Japanese), as well as the parents' attitudes towards their children's language learning. Other than HLE, her research interests include TESOL, intercultural communication, Performance-Assisted Learning (PAL), Performance in Education (PIE), and immigrant language education. She is an active member of the Japan Association for Language Teachers (JALT), having been the coordinator for their Speech, Drama and Debate (SD&D) Special Interest Group (SIG), now renamed to the Performance in Education (PIE) SIG, for four years and currently serving as their program chair. She continues to reside in Japan, where she has been teaching at the university level for the past decade, and is currently an associate professor at Kwansei Gakuin University as well as a lecturer at Kobe University.

Alessandro Benati, Ph.D.

Professor: TESOL

Alessandro Benati is a professor at University College Dublin (Ireland). He has held positions in several British and overseas institutions. He is known for his work in second language acquisition, and he published ground-breaking research on the pedagogical framework called processing instruction. His research on processing instruction has been recently driven by the use of new online measurements (e.g., eye tracking, self-paced reading). Alessandro has coordinated national and international high-impact research projects which have been influential in determining educational policy and had an impact in providing effective language teacher training. He is author and co-author of several research monographs and peer-reviewed articles in high-ranked journals. Editor and co-editor of book series and scientific journals such as Cambridge Elements in SLA and Instructed Second Language Acquisition. He was a member of the sub-panel for Modern Languages and Linguistics for the Research Excellence Framework for England (REF 2021), and he is Honorary Professor at Your SJ University (UK), University of Hong Kong, and Associate Professor at Anaheim University (USA).

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Monographs

1. Benati, A. (forthcoming in 2021) Key terms: A pocket guides for language teachers. London: Equinox.

2. Benati, A. (forthcoming in 2021). Input processing and processing instruction: The acquisition of Italian and Modern Standard Arabic. Benjamins Publishing – Bilingual Processing Series.

3. Chan, M., Benati, A. (2021). Challenges Encountered by Chinese ESL learners in L2 acquisition: Problems and Solutions from complementary perspectives. Springer.

4. Benati, A. (2020) Key Questions in Second Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press.

5. VanPatten, B., Smith, M., Benati, A., (2019). Key Questions in Second Language Acquisition: An Introduction (Cambridge University Press.

6. Schwieter, J., Benati, A. (2019). The Cambridge Handbook of Language Learning. Cambridge University Press.

7. Malovrh, P., Benati, A. (2018). The Handbook of Advanced Proficiency in Second Language Acquisition. Wiley-Blackwell.

8. Benati, A. Yamashita. (2017). S. Theory, Research and Pedagogy in Learning and Teaching Japanese Grammar. London: Palgrave.

9. Benati, A., Angelovska, T. (2016). Second Language Acquisition: A Theoretical Introduction to Real World Application. Bloomsbury: London.

10. Van Patten, B., Benati, A. (2015). Second Language Acquisition: Key Terms. 2nd Edition. London: Bloomsbury (translated into Japanese).

11. Benati, A. (2015) Key Methodological frameworks in Second Language Research. London: Equinox.

12. Benati, A., Laval, C., Arche, M. (2014). The Grammar Dimension in Instructed Second Language Learning. London: Bloomsbury.

13. Lee, J., Benati, A. (2013). Individual Differences and Processing Instruction. London: Equinox.

14. Benati, A. (2013). Key Issues in Second Language Teaching. London: Equinox.

15. Benati, A. (2011). (Ed.) A Guidebook for Language Teaching. High Commissioner For Minority Languages & British Council Macedonia. (translated into Macedonian, Turkish, Serb, and Albanian).

16. Van Patten, B., Benati, A. (2010). Second Language Acquisition: Key Terms. London: Continuum.

17. Benati, A., Lee, J. (2010). Processing Instruction and Discourse. London: Continuum.

18. Benati, A. (2009). (Ed.) Issues in Second Language Proficiency. London: Continuum.

19. Benati, A. (2009). Japanese Language Teaching: A Communicative Approach. London: Continuum.

20. Lee, J., Benati, A. (2009). Research and Perspectives on Processing Instruction. New York: Mouton de Gruyter.

21. Benati, A., Lee, J. (2008). Grammar Acquisition and Processing Instruction: Secondary And Cumulative Effects. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

22. Lee, J., Benati, A. (2007). Delivering Processing Instruction in Classroom and in Virtual Contexts: Research and Practice. London: Equinox.

23. Lee, J., Benati, A. (2007). Second Language Processing: An Analysis of Theory, Problems and Possible Solutions. London: Continuum.

24. Benati, A., Van Patten, B., Wong, W. (2005). Input Processing and Processing Instruction. (Teoria e sperimentazione nell’acquisizione dell’italiano come lingua straniera). Roma: Armando.

25. Liverani-Bertinelli, F., Benati, A. (2001). Grammatica: Perchè? Quando? Come? Perugia: Perugia: Edizioni Guerra Perugia.

Book chapters

1. Benati, A., Schwieter, J. (forthcoming in 2022). Input processing in L1 acquisition and simultaneous bilingualism. In Handbook of SLA and Input Processing. Routledge.

2. Benati, A. (forthcoming in 2022). Processing instruction and individual differences. Springer.

3. Benati, A. (2021). Processing Instruction: Research, theory and practical implications of the learning and. teaching of English grammar to Chinese L1 speakers. In M. Chan & Benati, A. Challenges Encountered by Chinese ESL learners in L2 acquisition: Problems and Solutions from complementary perspectives. Springer.

4. Benati, A. (2021). Focus on Form. Cambridge Elements in SLA: Cambridge University Press.

5. Benati. A. (2020). Focus on Form. Entry in the reference book Research Questions in Language Education and Applied Linguistics. Springer.

6. Benati, A., Schwieter, J. (2019). Pedagogical interventions to L2 grammar instruction. In J. Schwieter & A. Benati, A. (Ed.) (475-499). The Cambridge Handbook of Language Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

7. Benati, A. (2018). Structured Input. In J. I. Liontas (Gen. Ed.), The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching. NewYork: Wiley.

8. Benati, A. (2018). Direct Method. In J. I. Liontas (Gen. Ed.), The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching. NewYork: Wiley.

9. Benati, A. (2018). Role Play. In J. I. Liontas (Gen. Ed.), The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching. NewYork: Wiley.

10. Benati, A. (2018). Grammar Translation Method. In J. I. Liontas (Gen. Ed.), The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching. NewYork: Wiley.

11. Benati, A. (2018). Interlanguage Grammar. In J. I. Liontas (Gen. Ed.), The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching. NewYork: Wiley.

12. Benati, A., Schwieter, J. (2017). Input Processing and Processing Instruction: Pedagogical and cognitive considerations for L3 acquisition In A. Tanja & A. Hahn (eds.), L3 Syntactic Transfer: Models, New Developments and Implications (195-223). Amsterdam: Benjamins.

13. Benati, A., Basile, B. (2017). Theoretical and Pedagogical Views on the Role of Grammar Instruction. In A. Benati & S. Yamashita, Theory, Research and Pedagogy in Learning and Teaching Japanese Grammar (7-38). London: Palgrave.

14. Benati, A.(2017). Processing Instruction and the Acquisition of Japanese Morphology and Syntax. In A. Benati & S. Yamashita, Theory, Research and Pedagogy in Learning and Teaching Japanese Grammar (73-98). London: Palgrave.

15. Benati, A. Rastelli, S. (2014). Input processing theory: imparare a processare la seconda lingua", in S. Rastelli, Il processing nella seconda lingua: teorie, dati sperimentali, didattica (139-156). Roma: Carocci.

16. Benati, A. (2014). Second Language Acquisition. In C. Fäcke (Ed.). Language Acquisition (179-197). New York: Mouton de Gruyter.

17. Benati, A. (2013). Proficiency (entry in Encyclopedia). In P. Robinson (Ed.). The Routledge Encyclopedia of Second Language Acquisition. New York/London: Routledge.

18. Benati, A. (2013). Introduction. Grammar Dimension in Instructed Second Language Learning. In A.Benati, C.Laval & M.Arche. The Grammar Dimension in Instructed Second Language Learning (1-25). London: Bolomsbury.

19. Benati, A. (2013). The Input Processing Theory. In P. Garcia Mayo, Contemporary Approaches to Second Language Acquisition (93-110). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

20. Angelovska, T., Benati, A. (2013). Processing instruction and the age factor: Can adults and school-age native speakers of German process English simple past tense correctly? In J. F. Lee & A. Benati (eds.), Individual differences and Processing Instruction (131-152). Sheffield, UK: Equinox.

21. Mavrantoni, M., Benati, A. (2013). The effects of processing instruction and traditional instruction on two different school-age learners: The case of English present simple tense third person singular. In J. F. Lee & A. Benati (eds.), Individual differences and Processing Instruction (185-210). Sheffield, UK: Equinox.

22. Benati, A. (2013). Age and the effects of processing instruction on the acquisition of English passive constructions among school children and adult native speakers of Turkish. In J. F. Lee & A. Benati (eds.), Individual differences and Processing Instruction (83-104). Sheffield, UK: Equinox.

23. Benati, A., Lee, J., Hikima, N. (2010). Exploring the effects of processing instruction on discourse-level interpretation tasks with the Japanese passive construction. In A. Benati & J. F. Lee, Processing instruction and discourse (148-177). London: Continuum.

24. Benati, A., Lee, J.., McNulty,E. (2010). Exploring the effects of processing instruction on a discourse-level guided composition with the Spanish subjunctive after the adverb cuando. In A. Benati & J. F. Lee, Processing instruction and discourse (97-147). London: Continuum.

25. Benati, A. (2009) Issues in second language proficiency. In A. Benati. (Ed.) Issues in Second Language Proficiency (3-6). London: Continuum.

26. Benati, A. (2009). Secondary and cumulative effects in attaining L2 proficiency in the classroom (with Cecile Laval). In A. Benati. (Ed.) Issues in Second Language Proficiency (189-201). London: Continuum.

27. Benati, A., Lee, J., Houghton, S. (2008). From processing instruction on the acquisition of English past tense to secondary transfer-of-training effects on English third person singular present tense. In A.Benati & J. Lee, Grammar acquisition and processing instruction: Secondary and cumulative effects (88-120). Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

28. Benati, A., Lee, J., Laval, C. (2008). From processing instruction on the acquisition of French imparfait to secondary transfer-of-training effects on French subjunctive and to cumulative transfer-of-training effects with French causative constructions. In A. Benati & J. F. Lee, Grammar acquisition and processing instruction: Secondary and cumulative effects (121-157). Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

29. Lee, J. F., Benati, A., Aguilar-Sánchez J., & McNulty, E. (2007). Comparing three modes of delivering processing instruction on preterite/imperfect distinction and negative informal commands in Spanish. In J. F. Lee & A. Benati, Delivering processing instruction in classrooms and virtual contexts: Research and practice (73-98). London: Equinox.

30. Benati, A. (2006). The effects of processing instruction and meaning output-based instruction on the acquisition of the Italian subjunctive of doubt. In R. Kiely, P.Rea-Dickins, H. Woodfield, and G. Clibbon (Eds.) Language, Culture and Identity in Applied Linguistics (181-198). London: Equinox

31. Benati, A. (2004). The effects of structured input and explicit information on the acquisition of gender agreement in Italian and the simple paste tense in Spanish (with P. Romero-Lopez). In M. Baynham, A. Deignan, and G.White (Eds.) Applied Linguistics at the Interface (29-46). London: Equinox.

32. Benati, A. (2004). The effects of structured input activities and explicit information on the acquisition of the Italian future tense. In B. Van Patten (Ed.), Processing Instruction: Theory Research and Commentary (207-226). NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

33. Benati, A. (1997). Classroom research in second language learning on the effects of different types of form- focused instruction. The input processing type. In S. Efstathiadis. and A. Tsangalidis (Eds.) Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (61-68). Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Journal articles

1. Benati, A. (2021). The effects of structured input and traditional instruction on the acquisition of the English causative forms: An eye-tracking study measuring accuracy in responses and processing patterns. (under review - Language Teaching Research)

2. Benati, A. (2020). The effects of structured input and traditional instruction on the acquisition of the passive constructions: An eye-tracking study. Forthcoming in Instructed Second Language Acquisition.

3. Chiucchiu, G., Benati, A. (2020). The effects of structured input and textual enhancement on the acquisition of Italian Subjunctive: A self-paced reading study. Forthcoming in Instructed Second Language Acquisition.

4. Benati, A., Batziou M. (2019). The relative effects of isolated and combined structured-input and structured-output on the acquisition of English causative. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 57 (3), 265-288.

5. Benati, A. (2019). The role of instruction: An update. Language Teaching Research Quarterly, 11, 1-11.

6. Benati, A., Batziou M. (2019). Discourse and long-term effects of isolated and combined structured-input and structured-output on the acquisition of English causative form. Accepted and forthcoming in Language Awareness, 28, 1-18.

7. Benati, A., Farhat, A (2018). The effects of motivation and processing instruction in the acquisition of Modern Standard Arabic gender agreement. Instructed Second Language Acquisition, 2, 60-81.

8. Benati, A., Rastelli, S (2018). Special Issue: Perspectives in the neurocognition of the second language teaching-acquisition interface. Second Language Research, 34, 3-7.

9. Benati, A. (2017). The role of input and output tasks in grammar instruction: Theoretical, empirical and pedagogical considerations. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 3, 377-396.

10. Benati, A. (2017). Classroom-oriented research: Processing Instruction (findings and implications). Language Teaching, 343-359.

11. Benati, A. (2016). Input manipulation, enhancement and processing: theoretical views and empirical research. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 6, 65-88.

12. Benati, A. (2015). The Effects of Processing Instruction on the Acquisition of English Past Simple Tense: Age and Cognitive Task Demands, International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 53, 249-269.

13. Benati, A. (2015). The Effects of Re-exposure to Processing Instruction on the acquisition of Japanese Passive. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 53, 127-150.

14. Benati, A. (2010). Grammar Instruction and Processing Instruction in second language acquisition. Journal of Applied Linguistics, 26, 43-58.

15. Benati, A. (2007). The effects of processing instruction on the lexical preference principle: generalizability of findings. Rivista di Psicolinguistica Applicata, 7, 93-104.

16. Benati, A. (2006). Some reflections on input and input processing. Scuola e Lingue Moderne, 4-5, 56-60.

17. Benati, A. (2005). The effects of processing instruction, traditional instruction and meaning-output instruction in the acquisition of English past simple tense. Language Teaching Research, 9, 67-93.

18. Benati, A. (2005). Ricercazione nella classe di lingua. Rassegna Italiana di Linguistica Applicata, 2-3, 53-73.

19. Benati, A. (2004). The effects of processing instruction and its components on the acquisition of gender agreement in Italian. Language Awareness, 13, 67-80.

20. Benati, A. (2004). Grammar and grammar instruction in a communicative framework: the processing instruction approach. Studies in Japanese Language Teaching, 11, 53-73.

21. Benati, A. (2003). The role of explicit instruction in instructed second language acquisition: New data from Italian. Rivista di Psicolinguistica Applicata, 2-3, 143-153.

22. Benati, A. (2001) A comparative study of the effects of processing instruction and output-based instruction on the acquisition of the Italian future tense. Language Teaching Research, 5, 95-127.

23. Benati, A. (2001). Focus on form in the classroom. The role of different type of form-focused instruction on the acquisition of a second language: theoretical, empirical and pedagogical issues. Rivista di Psicolinguistica Applicata, 1, 161-179.

24. Benati, A. (2000). What grammar?: A comprehension-based approach to grammar instruction in foreign language teaching. Rassegna Italiana di Linguistica Applicata, 2,109-127

25. Benati, A. (2000). Processing Instruction: un tipo di grammatica comunicativa per la classe di lingua straniera. Il caso del futuro italiano. Italica, 77, 473-494.

26. Benati, A. (1998). Processing grammar instruction: a type of grammar instruction for the language classroom. TUTTITALIA, 18, 22-26.

27. Benati, A. (1997). Evoluzione nella ricerca sperimentale sugli effetti dell’insegnamento formale in programmi comunicativi per l’apprendimento di una lingua due. Annali Università di Perugia, 24, 65-73.

28. Benati, A. (1996). Evaluating oral communicative competence. A pilot test in the Italian classroom. Bulletin of the Society for Italian Studies, 29, 12-18.

29. Benati, A. (1996). L’insegnamento comunicativo della lingua (ICL) nel corso di lingua straniera: un modello di insegnamento. TUTTITALIA, 14, 3-8.

30. Benati, A. (1995). The role of formal instruction: theoretical-empirical and pedagogical consideration. TUTTITALIA 12, 19-26.

Talia Isaacs, Ph.D.

Associate Professor: TESOL

Dr. Talia Isaacs is a TESOL Associate Professor in the Anaheim University Graduate School of Education. She holds a Ph.D. in Second Language Education from McGill University and serves as Associate Professor of TESOL and Applied Linguistics at the UCL Institute of Education, University College London. She has designed and taught a wide range of courses in applied linguistics and TESOL at four UK and Canadian universities, including in language testing, aural/oral communication, TESOL pedagogy and curriculum, second language acquisition, and research methods. Her work on assessing second language speech (particularly pronunciation) has been shaped by her language teaching and learning experience and background in voice performance, particularly taking diction courses for opera singers. She has a strong track record of leading research and consultancy projects on language and communication and often serves in an assessment advisory capacity, most recently as a core expert group member for the OECD's PISA 2025 foreign language assessment questionnaire, and as a member of the TOEFL Committee of Examiners (ETS, 2020-24). With growing research interests in computer-mediated assessment and language for specific and academic purposes, she is increasingly active in the UK clinical trials methodology community, injecting a social sciences dimension into a complex, interdisciplinary research area. Her research is methodologically eclectic and mostly resides within the mixed methods paradigm.