Kellie Harrington
Undergraduate Student: Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, minoring in Spanish
Email:
kah6129@psu.edu
Biography:
Being from Southern California, I love spending as much of my time outside as I possibly can, preferably at the beach. I am always up for adventure and new experiences and I enjoy traveling and immersing myself in new cultures and environments. In addition to going to the gym, hiking, and traveling, I love working as a medical scribe in the Emergency Department at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. I have found that I thrive in fast-paced environments and with the diverse cases that come through the Emergency Department, I become more excited for my future career as an Emergency Medicine doctor.
Project Summary:
My project will determine what facilitates language learning in L2 speakers using the aspiration of the /s/. The study will answer the following questions: Is consistency across speakers the best way to ensure learning? Or, alternatively, would desirable difficulty in perceptual cues ensure a more long-lasting learning of dialectical variations? At the end of this study, more will be understood not only about what conditions perceptual learning is favored in as a first language, but also what learning environment is more effective for the L2 learners. The research will primarily take place in Bogotá, however the locations of Medellín and Palenque will also be visited during our stay in Colombia.