Dr. Ashleigh Pipes (holding UTC flag) attended the International Association for the Psychology of Language Learning conference in Shantou, China. Photo courtesy of Joni Martin.
This spring, Dr. Ashleigh Pipes traveled to Shantou, China, where researchers from around the world came together to discuss the question, “How do people learn language?”
Pipes, an assistant professor in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Department of Applied Leadership and Learning, traveled to the International Association for the Psychology of Language Learning conference with support from a Professional Development Award from UTC’s Division of Access and Engagement.
“Attending this conference was undoubtedly the highlight of my academic year and provided opportunities for academic,professional and personal growth,” Pipes wrote in a summary of her experience. “PLL6 is a biannual conference that explores psychology in relation to language learning, applied to English as a second language as well as other foreign languages.”
The conference brings together scholars to explore topics such as motivation, anxiety, communication and creativity.
Pipes presented two research projects during the conference: “Innovative or inappropriate? Language teachers’ perceptions of student creativity” and “Piecing it together: The role of creativity in second language listening skills.”
One project, conducted with Dr. Brandee Strickland, associate lecturer of Spanish at UTC, explored whether students with stronger creative-thinking skills are also better able to understand a second language. The researchers found an early connection between creativity and listening comprehension, suggesting that creative thinking may help learners make sense of unfamiliar language by connecting ideas and recognizing patterns.
The second study examined how language instructors perceive creativity in their students and whether those perceptionsinfluence how they design assignments, encourage participation and evaluate student work.
“The plenary sessions and individual presentations helped me stay up to date on current research methods, the latest research findings and challenges related to my focus on creativity as an individual difference in second-language acquisition,” Pipes said.
Dr. Ashleigh Pipes
The other scholars who attended the presentations offered feedback on the research.
“My two presentations were well received,” Pipes said. “Several leading scholars in the field attended and provided valuable insights and feedback that will help me move forward toward publication of the research.”
Pipes said she used the opportunity to introduce colleagues to UTC.
“It was also a pleasure to tell others about UTC and encourage them to explore our opportunities or come to visit,” she said.
The trip also carried a personal significance.
Although Pipes has lived abroad and traveled internationally before, spending time with scholars from a wide range of countries reminded her of why she was drawn to language-learning in the first place.
“It was reinvigorating to regain a sense of myself as part of an international community of scholars and citizens instead of just thinking about my place on campus and in the local community,” she said.
Pipes said the experience will shape future research projects and provide new perspectives she can bring back to her students and colleagues at UTC.
“I am grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to sharing what I learned both academically and culturally with current and future UTC students and colleagues both inside and outside the classroom,” she said.
Learn more
