Workshop "doing Research in the L2 Classroom: Methods and Tools"

A.Y. 2025/2026
3
Max ECTS
20
Overall hours
SSD
NN
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
Undefined
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Three types of methodologies used in the research on the acquisition and teaching of a second language (L2) will be presented: observational, case study, and experimental. For each methodology, the following aspects will be analyzed: main characteristics, tools for data collection, data analysis procedures, advantages, and disadvantages.
1. What is meant by 'research' in the education context
2. Characteristics and phases of the research process
3. Research approaches: qualitative and quantitative
4. Observational research and tools
5. The case study and tools
6. Experimental research and tools
7. How to develop a research project: examples
Prerequisites for admission
The workshop will be held in Italian, with supporting materials in both Italian and English. Prior coursework in language teaching can provide useful preliminary and complementary skills. Erasmus students should contact the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Teaching methods
The workshop adopts an applied approach. The sessions include brief presentations by the instructor and guided activities focusing on reflection and analysis. There will be space for guided observation of recorded lesson examples and their transcriptions, as well as the analysis of tools used in education research. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion forum on the MyAriel course website and to work in groups to prepare a small research project. Each student will take turns keeping a diary for each workshop session.
Teaching Resources
· Examples of recorded lessons and transcripts
· Examples of tools used for data collection (observation grids, interviews, questionnaires, tests, etc.)
· Slides for introducing the topics covered, brief supplementary readings
· Examples of abstracts of studies in the research on learning and teaching a second language (L2)
· References for further reading
· Suggested textbook: Benati, A. 2015. Key methods in Second language Research. Equinox Publishing.
Assessment methods and Criteria
There is no final exam, but regular attendance is required (at least 80% of meetings) along with participation in the proposed activities. Students will take turns compiling a diary of the laboratory activities and participating in a collaborative activity that involves writing a small research project. The final evaluation is expressed with a judgment ('pass' or 'fail').
- University credits: 3
Humanities workshops: 20 hours
Professor: Pedrazzini Luciana