Dr Karen Ludke
Senior Lecturer in English Language
The Language Centre
Department: The Language Centre
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone: 01695657154

Profile
Research Interests
My research and publications focus on the inclusion of the arts to support language learning, particularly through musical activities and singing. My published work includes experimental studies designed to teach words and phrases in a new language, through the comparison of three ‘listen-and-repeat’ learning conditions: speaking, rhythmic speaking and singing; as well as classroom-based research with a language education focus.
In addition, I have developed pedagogical resources and articles for teachers related to the European Music Portfolio: A Creative Way into Languages project. Because of my involvement in the Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing (AIRS) network, I co-edited and contributed chapters to The Routledge Companion to Interdisciplinary Studies in Singing, Volume II: Education with Helga R. Gudmundsdottir, Carol Beynon, & Annabel J. Cohen (March 2020).
I am interested to hear proposals from potential MRes. and PhD students interested in conducting interdisciplinary research, particularly projects that combine first and additional language learning with the arts, music and popular culture.
Teaching
As a Senior Lecturer in English Language, my main teaching interests relate to learning and memory, including what we know about language learning based on research in psycholinguistics. In my role of Programme Leader for the Foundation programme in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, I teach various modules focused on academic writing, critical thinking and how to successfully complete a small-scale project.
From 2016-2023 in my previous departments, I served as the International Co-ordinator for English, supporting incoming students from other countries and our Edge Hill students who were taking part in study abroad opportunities.
- Pop music in informal foreign language learning:
- The Routledge Companion to Interdisciplinary Studies in Singing, Volume II: Education
- Singing and arts activities in support of foreign language learning