The research carried out in the Language Acquisition Research Laboratory includes the study of first, second and third language acquisition, as well as bilingualism in typically and atypically developing populations, code-switching, language contact, and heritage and immigrant language.

Language Acquisition Research Laboratory (LAR LAB)

The lab has an interdisciplinary focus – combining formal and descriptive linguistics with developmental and cognitive psychology – and joint and individual projects include spontaneous and experimental data and make use of a variety of online and offline methodologies. 

Recent and ongoing research includes studies on: 

  • Native and non-native language acquisition 

  • Immigrant and heritage languages of Canada 

  • Language contact 

  • The representation and processing of language in the bilingual mind 

  • Code-mixing and code-switching 

  • Bilingualism in typically and non-typically developing populations 

The Language Acquisition Research Laboratory collaborates with researchers from other departments at the University of Ottawa as well as other universities in Canada and around the world. The members meet on a regular basis to discuss collaborative and individual projects, to assess progress made and to program activities. 

Books in a pile

How to reach us

Language Acquisition Research Laboratory

Room: MHN 253
Telephone: 613-562-5800, ext. 1781
[email protected]

​​​​​​​Juana M. Liceras 

Language Acquisition Research Laboratory Director
Room: MHN 217 
Telephone: 613-562-5800, ext. 3742  
[email protected] 

Elena Valenzuela

Language Acquisition Research Laboratory Co-Director 
Room: MHN 221 
Telephone: 613-562-5800, ext. 3743  
[email protected]