Research at Centre for Applied Language Studies

The Centre for Applied Language Studies (CALS) is a research unit in the University of Jyväskylä Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, providing research-based information on language education and language-related phenomena, needs, and challenges in a changing society.

CALS also has two national tasks set by the Ministry of Education and Culture: National Certificates of Language Proficiency and The Finnish Network for Language Education Policies.

CALS research is multidisciplinary

Our research has three focal areas: Assessment of language proficiency and for learning, Language learning, teaching and multiliteracies, and Language in communities and societies. The focal areas are interconnecting, and their goal is to study individual, social, and societal phenomena and challenges related to language and offer research-based solutions. We also develop research methods for applied language studies and co-influence the development of the field both theoretically and conceptually.

Opiskelijat Agoran käytävällä juttelemassa
Values

The values of our research, doctoral programme, and societal interaction are co-operation, wellbeing, and equality. We co-operate across disciplines with language education experts and other stakeholders. Through our research, we promote individual involvement and social justice in communities and societies.

Strategic aims

The aims of the Centre for Applied Language Studies are:

  • Nationally leading and internationally acclaimed multi-disciplinary expert in applied language studies.
  • An ethically sustainable research community developing and renewing theories and concepts.
  • A societally influencing observer and solution giver of phenomena and challenges related to language.
  • High-quality doctoral training provider in applied language studies.

CALS focus areas of research

CALS research is divided into different focus areas. Read more about the different focus areas on their respective pages. The projects and researchers in the focus areas can also be found on their own pages.

Assessment of language proficiency and for learning
Language learning, teaching, and multiliteracies
Language in communities and societies
Development of research methods
Our research has three focal areas: Assessment of Language Proficiency and for Learning, Language Learning, Teaching and Multiliteracies, and Language in Communities and Societies. The focal areas are interconnecting, and their goal is to study individual, communal, and societal phenomena and challenges related to language and offer research-based solutions. We also develop research methods for applied language studies and co-influence the development of the field both theoretically and conceptually.

CALS national tasks

National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI)
The Finnish Network for Language Education Policies - Kieliverkosto

CALS projects

Project

Modelling Citizen Science for Education

MSCEDU brings together expertise of researchers, outreach partner schools and students in co-creating a methodology for extending Extreme Citizen Science to the humanities and social sciences in schools.
Project

Municipal survey on language education policy II 2023-2024

The aim of the study is to investigate primary school principals and municipal decision-makers' agency in language education policies, i.e. their views and experiences of language education at local and national level.
Project

Nordic basic schools as past, present and future sites for solving the challenges of making diverse inclusive knowledge-based societies

This project investigates how the basic school as a physical and social space shapes social interaction and learning.
Project

Other Home - documentary theatre project on integration

In Other Home project we examined how artists from refugee backgrounds talk about their artistic journey to Finland, the importance of language in their art and how they apply for membership in Finnish art circles.
Project

PISA 2025: Foreign Language Assessment

PISA 2025 cycle will offer the option of Foreign Language Assessment. The language to be assessed is English. The practical implementation of the assessment in Finland is the responsibility of the Centre for Applied Language Studies at JYU.
Project

Social media as the fifth estate: forms of counterspeech against hate speech and disinformation

This project explores counterspeech against hate speech and disinformation on social media. In particular, it compares counterspeech in Finnish and German discussions.
Project

The workplace well-being of international experts from the perspective of language proficiency

The workplace well-being of international experts from the perspective of language proficiency
Project

Writing and participation in digitalising Finland

This study investigates writing practices and needs for writing skills of adults in digitalising Finland. The practical aim of the study is to promote the development of teaching and assessment of writing in different environments.

Publishing activities at CALS

Kieli, koulutus ja yhteiskunta - Language, Education and Society
Apples - Journal of Applied Language Studies

Publications

More publications