Areas of Interest

• Bilingualism
• Technology and language learning
• Applied linguistics
• Language, literacy
• Child language in education
• Software design

Research Activities

• The Reading Tutor Project
• The Learning Engine ESL Software Development Project

This joint university-industry project has undertaken research and development for a prototype multimedia program entitled "Edubba." A study of this prototype is in progress on the nature of users' collaboration in academic writing. The prototype is currently being revised for release to the BC public schools in late 1999.

• The Role of Pragmatic Language Awareness in Literate Proficiency

This current study examines the extent to which primary-age children's awareness of the pragmatic aspects of linguistic communication enhances their proficiency in reading and writing.

• L'Ecole Jules Quesnel Intermediate 80% French Assessment

In collaboration with VSB administrator and LANE graduate students Jennifer Buntain and Mitsunori Takakuwa, this
3-year study assesses the impact of changing an intermediate French Immersion program from 50% French to 80% French provision. French and English oral and literate skills are assessed, along with students' attitudes and
metapragmatic knowledge.

Recently Published Work

Beckett, G., McGivern, L., Reeder, K. & Semenov, D. (In press). Dilemmas in designing multimedia software for language learners: Action research. Journal of Research in Computers in Education. January, 2000.

Reeder, K., Buntain, J. & Takakuwa, M. (In press). Intensity of L2 instruction and biliterate proficiency in the intermediate years of a French immersion program. Canadian Modern Language Review,1999.

Reeder, K. & Shapiro, J. (1997). Children attributions of pragmatic intentions and early literacy. Language Awareness, 6(1), 17-31.

Reeder, K., Hasebe-Ludt, E. & Thomas, L. (1997). Taking the next steps: Toward a coherent language education policy for British Columbia. Canadian Modern Language Review, 53(2).

Reeder, K., Shapiro, J., Watson, R. & Goelman, H.(Eds.). (1996). Literate Apprenticeships: The Emergence of Language and Literacy in the Preschool Years. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corporation.

Reeder, K. (1996). Children's attributions of speakers' pragmatic intentions. In: M.Aldridge (Ed.), Child Language (pp. 149-164). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters .

Page last updated June 2008