About

Center for Research on the Challenges of Acquiring Language Literacy

Lead Units (in alphabetical order):  The Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Learning Sciences, and Psychology.  Supporting Units (in alphabetical order):  Departments  of Anthropology, Applied Linguistics, Communication, Early Childhood Education, Educational Policy Studies, and Philosophy; the center for Research on Atypical Development and Learning (CRADL), the Language Research Center (LRC), and the Regents’ Center for Learning Disorders (RCLD).

Our goal is to create a world class interdisciplinary research and doctoral training program focused on the acquisition of language and literacy.  This center in particular underscores the language and literacy acquisition process for those individuals who face challenges in these domains. These individuals include children and adults at risk for language and or literacy difficulties.  They may have identified developmental and/or learning disabilities.   Our research programs address not only basic conceptual and methodological issues in the area of language and literacy acquisition, but also have designed and evaluated interventions that may help individuals overcome challenges in the acquisition of language and literacy. Our goals are to:

  • Strengthen and enhance current research strands in the basic and applied study of language and literacy.
  • Broaden the scope of research by entering into new arenas of research with faculty hires.
  • Develop interdisciplinary doctoral training experiences.
  • Foster efforts to translate research into effective practice.

Georgia State University’s Center for Research on the Challenges of Acquiring Language and Literacy promotes interdisciplinary research and education in the oral and written dimensions of language acquisition; these skills are essential for the creation of life- long competencies in language and communication.  The center, which was launched in 2008, was formed from faculty across two colleges and 10 departments who have as their central interest in the basic and applied research issues in language and literacy acquisition.