Dr Samantha Austen

Professional biography

I am a Staff Tutor and Senior Lecturer in English Language and Applied Linguistics at the Open University. My research interests include conceptual transfer in second language acquisition, language teaching and learning, cognitive linguistics and its application to classroom practice. I gained my PhD at Cardiff University in early 2016, with a thesis entitled: Learner error in second language acquisition: the transfer of form or concept? and joined the Open University in June of the same year. I come to the OU with a background in language teaching and learning, in particular EAP and Italian. I spent over ten years working in universities in Malta, Italy and latterly the University of Worcester UK teaching, developing and directing English language programmes for international and home students. I have also worked as a teacher of EFL, French and Italian.

Research interests

My research focuses on the investigation of conceptual transfer in learner interlanguage using a number of methods including think aloud reports, verbal production and psycholinguistic tasks as well as eye-tracking data. 

As well as looking for compelling evidence for conceptual transfer in learner language and behaviour, I am interested in the implications of my research for classroom practice. My results have highlighted the importance of promoting meta-linguistic awareness and using embodied learning techniques to facilitate second language acquisition.

I am also interested in the teaching of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in UK HE and in particular in online only or hybrid contexts. My most recent funded project investigated the impact of a group insessional EAP programme on the performance and motovation of PG students of applied linguistics. 

Research students interested in investigating any area related to cross-linguistic transfer, language teaching and learning or EAP are invited to contact me. I currently supervise two doctoral students.

• Ruth Whitney: Developing critical thinking skills in international students on pre-masters courses
• Jo Kukuczka: Investigating the social impact of an English for Academic Purposes curriculum for change 

Students supervised to completion:

• Dr. Ibrahima Diallo: Exploring the impact of collaborative reflection on novice EFL teacher professional development

Teaching interests

My teaching interests encompass Languages (Italian, EFL and EAP) and Applied Linguistics. 

Impact and engagement

Invited speaker as part of the English Language and Linguistics Seminar Series at the University of Glasgow. March 2023. Talk entitled:  Exploring conceptual meaning in English L2 speakers expression of temporal concepts. 

Guest Speaker at Università degli studi di Palermo, 14th May 2019. Presentation tite: Accessibility in the UK.

Speaker at Languages Live 2018. 9^th – 11^th of November 2018, London, UK. Presentation title: Austen, S and Busby, D. Which came first: the world or the word?

Speaker at EuroSLA 2017, 30^th of August – 2^nd September 2017, Reading, UK. Presentation title: Austen, S and Jarvis, S. Conceptual transfer effects in the L2 English of Italian L1 learners as they attempt to express distinct temporal concepts.

Speaker at The expression of temporality by L2 learners of French and English: acquisition of time, aspect and modality. 22^nd – 24^th May 2014. University Paul Valery Montpellier 3. France. Presentation title: Learner error in second language acquisition: the transfer of form or concept?

Presentation to the Malta Linguistics Circle. 26^th April 2012. Presentation title: Learner error in second language acquisition: the transfer of form or concept?

Speaker at After the Modern Post-Graduate Symposium. 16^th-17^th of April 2010. University of Malta. Presentation title: Learner error in second language acquisition: the transfer of form or concept?

Speaker at The 21st European Systemic Functional Linguistics Conference and Workshop. 8-10 July 2009. Cardiff University.  Presentation title: Learner error in second language acquisition: the transfer of form or concept?

I am a member of BAAL, EUROSLA and IATEFL.