Dr. Meryl Kusyk

Teaching, Research & Organizational Responsibilities

Director, Language Learning Centre

Seminars
Psycholinguistics
Language learning & technology
Motivation, engagement & affect in SLA
Language learning theories
Language teaching methods
Informal second language learning
Introduction to Linguistics
Second language acquisition
Les méthodologies de l'enseignement des langues étrangères
Enseigner avec les nouvelles technologies

Peer reviewer
Applied Linguistics
International Journal of Applied Linguistics
Language Teaching
ReCALL

2023 Co-editor, Language Learning & Leisure: Informal Language Learning in the Digital Age. De Gruyter. 

2021 Co-organizer, AILA World Congress of Applied Linguistics, Symposium S091: "Learning through leisure: Informal Second Language Learning in the 21st century"

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9964-0346
Web of Science Researcher ID: HJO-8646-2023

Research interests
Second language acquisition, informal second language learning, complexity accuracy & fluency, psychological & affective factors in language learning, implicit, explicit & incidental learning, language learning and technology

Selected presentations

Kusyk, M. L’apprentissage informel des langues : Enjeux, défis et tendances d’un champ de recherche émergent. Plenary speaker at Congrès Ranacles: Sorties de cadres dan l'apprentissage et l'enseignement des langues. University of Rouen, France. Novemer 2024.

Kusyk, M. Investigating the learning processes at play in ISLL: Outcomes, challenges & trends. Plenary speaker at The informalisation of English language learning through the media. University of Salento, Italy. February 2024.

Kusyk, M., Schwarz, M. & Arndt, H. A systematic review of methodologies in ISLL from 2000 to 2020. AILA World Congress of Applied Linguistics, Symposium on Methodologies in Informal Second Language Learning: Observing learning in the private sphere. Lyon, France. July 2023.

Kusyk, M. & Arndt, H. A systematic review of informal language learning research: Sketching the contours of an emerging subfield. American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL), Portland, Oregon. March 2023.

Kusyk, M. Does informal mean implicit? Situating informal second language learning in the explicit-implicit discussion. AILA World Congress of Applied Linguistics, Symposium on Learning through leisure: Informal L2 Learning in the 21st century. Online. August 2021.

Kusyk, M. Informal CALL: A discussion of L2 development measures and systemic complexity. EUROCALL 2019: CALL and Complexity. UC Louvain, Louvain-la-neuve, Belgium. August 2019. 

Kusyk, M. The dynamics of L2 English development through participation in online informal activities. Keynote speaker at (In)formal second language learning: Integrating informal practices into formal contexts. University of Oxford, UK. August 2018.

Kusyk,  Extramural doing and learning: A discussion of second language development through informal L2 usage online. Thinking, Doing, Learning 3. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany. M. April 2017.

Kusyk, M. A usage-based approach to L2 development through informal interactions online: case studies of lexical complexity in L2 English learners. Constructionist Approaches to Language Pedagogy 2. University of Basel, Switzerland. June 2016. 

Selected publications

Kusyk, M., Arndt, H., Schwarz, M., Yibokou, K., Dressman, M., Sockett, G., Toffoli, D. 2025. A scoping review of studies in informal second language learning: Trends in research published between 2000 and 2020. System. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2024.103541

Kusyk, M. 2023. Does informal mean implicit? Exploring the nature of informal second language learning. In D. Toffoli, G. Sockett & M. Kusyk, Language Learning & Leisure: Informal Language Learning in the Digital Age. De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110752441-003

Kusyk, M. Sockett, G. & Toffoli, D. 2023. Introduction to Language Learning and Leisure. In D. Toffoli, G. Sockett & M. Kusyk, Language Learning & Leisure: Informal Language Learning in the Digital Age. De Gruyter. 
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110752441-001

Sockett, G., Toffoli, D. & Kusyk, M. 2023. Conclusion. In D. Toffoli, G. Sockett & M. Kusyk, Language Learning & Leisure: Informal Language Learning in the Digital Age. De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110752441-017

Kusyk, M. 2020. Informal English learning in France. In M. Dressman & R. Sadler, Handbook of Informal Language Learning. Wiley Blackwell. 333-348.  https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119472384.ch22

Kusyk, M. 2017. Les dynamiques du développement de l'anglais au travers d'activités informelles en ligne : une étude exploratoire auprès d'étudiants français et allemands. [The dynamics of L2 English development through participation in online informal activities: an exploratory study of French and German university students] Doctoral dissertation. University of Strasbourg & Karlsruhe University of Education. https://phka.bsz-bw.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/116

Kusyk, M. 2017. The development of complexity, accuracy and fluency in L2 written production through informal interactions online. CALICO Journal 34(1): Computer-Assisted Language Learning in Extracurricular/Extramural Contexts. 75-96. https://doi.org/10.1558/cj.29513

Kusyk, M. 2015. Enjeux épistémologiques, méthodologiques et didactiques de l'apprentissage informel de l'anglais en ligne. Education et Sociétés Plurilingues, 39. 19 - 33. https://doi.org/10.4000/esp.605

Sockett, G. & Kusyk, M. 2015. Online informal learning of English: frequency effects in the uptake of chunks of language from participation in web-based activities. In T. Cadierno & S. Eskildsen (eds.), Usage-based Perspectives on Second Language Learning. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. 153 - 177.  
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110378528-009

Sockett, G. & Kusyk, M. 2013. L’apprentissage informel en ligne : nouvelle donne pour l’enseignement-apprentissage de l’anglais. Recherche et pratiques pédagogiques en langues, Vol. XXXII N° 1. 75-91.  https://doi.org/10.4000/apliut.3578

Kusyk, M. & Sockett, G. 2012. From informal resource usage to incidental language acquisition: language uptake from online television viewing in English. ASp, 62. 45-65. https://doi.org/10.4000/asp.3104

Employment

2022-2023
Interim Professor, English applied linguistics & didactics
Karlsruhe University of Education, Germany

2020-2021
Interim Professor, English applied linguistics & didactics
Karlsruhe University of Education, Germany

2016 - present
Akademische Mitarbeiterin (Research & teaching faculty member)
Karlsruhe University of Education, Germany

Education

2017 
PhD, Applied Linguistics
Joint doctoral program (Cotutelle de thèse / Doppeldoktorat)
University of Strasbourg, France
Karlsruhe University of Education, Germany

2012
Master, Foreign Language Education & Teaching
University of Strasbourg, France

2010
Master, Plurilingualism & Interculturality
University of Strasbourg, France