Lani holds a BA in French and Hispanic Studies from the University of Liverpool and an MA in Applied Linguistics from University College London. Her PhD project is entitled Second language learning and the development of foreign language aptitude.

This project reconsiders the construct of foreign language aptitude from a dynamic perspective. By conducting a series of longitudinal studies, Lani aims to determine whether subcomponents of aptitude can develop over time as a result of learning a second language. Her research explores the relationship between bilingualism and aptitude, analysing how aptitude is mediated by cognitive, affective, and contextual factors throughout different stages of language learning.

Six new PhD candidates

The research schools of the Faculty of Humanities (ACLC, AHM, ARTES, ASCA, ASH and the interfaculty institute ILLC) have been working on recruiting new PhD candidates – one for each school. The PhD candidates are being hired using the remaining funds from the ongoing agenda of Sustainable Humanities and will be starting in September 2020.