ProfessorAlessandro Benati

Alessandro’s research focuses on second language processing. Three general questions are guiding his work: 1) What kinds of linguistic cues do second language learners use to interpret sentences during language comprehension? 2) How do experimental methodologies in language processing impact study outcomes and theory development? 3) How can insights on second language processing improve instructed language learning? His experimental research examines in particular one theoretical and one pedagogical model: (i) input processing; (ii) processing instruction. He has systematically investigated the effects of processing instruction on a variety of languages (e.g., Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, English), linguistic features (e.g., word order, passive and causative constructions, tense markers, mood with expression of doubt), populations (groups and
individuals from eight different L1s), and contexts. Most recently he has incorporated online measurements (e.g., self-paced reading, eye-tracking) to investigate moment-by-moment sentence comprehension, reaction times in sentence responses and to compare the relative effects of different
instructional interventions (e.g., processing instruction, structured input, textual enhancement). Together with James Lee, he was the first scholar in the field who demonstrated that the benefits of Processing Instruction transfer or “spill-over” (secondary effects) to forms that are actually not
targeted during the instructional treatment. Findings from his research have led to greater knowledge and understanding of: the language(s) being learnt; the processes through which the language(s) are learnt; and the processes through which teachers may most successfully guide and assist language learning. He has successfully supervised twenty-five PhDs and over one hundred MA students to timely completion across different institutions. In most cases, external doctoral scholarships have been secured for their projects. Many of his doctoral graduates have been employed in highly reputable institutions.