I am currently working as a grant researcher in a project funded by the Emil Aaltonen Foundation called IDEAL - Individual differences in early foreign language learning. I have graduated twice from the University of Jyväskylä: I hold a master's degree in special education, and a master's degree in economics with a major in information systems science.
Previously, you might have met me as project manager while I was working at the university's project management service and I have also taught special pedagogy at the Department of Education. Before that, I worked on various literacy projects at the Niilo Mäki Institute and I am still a member of the steering group for the Reading Grandmas and Grandpas programme.
My PhD research focuses on early foreign language learning and teaching. I am interested in development of language skills, affective factors and language attitudes in children with reading difficulties or developmental language disorder. I follow the English language learning of such students from 1st to 3rd grade and study the factors that influence their individual development. I am also interested in teachers' experiences of differentiating English language teaching and parents' experiences of supporting English language learning at home.
Read more about the project: http://r.jyu.fi/IDEAL
