Laura Gurzynski-Weiss

Laura Gurzynski-Weiss is a Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Indiana University Bloomington, with a focus on Instructed Second Language Acquisition (ISLA) and Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). Her work bridges structured learning environments with practical applications, collaborating with local schools and global institutions to enhance language instruction at all educational levels.

• Education: Ph.D. (Georgetown University, 2010), M.S. (Georgetown University, 2007), B.A. (Marquette University, 2005)

Her research explores variables impacting L2 development through cognitive-interactionist approaches, complex dynamic systems theory, and usage-based frameworks, emphasizing the real-world value of findings. She advocates for open scholarship, contributing to platforms like the TBLT Language Learning Task Bank and IRIS/OASIS databases.

Recent publications highlight collaborations in TBLT implementation, learner engagement, and teacher cognition. Awards include multiple International Conference Travel Awards, Outstanding Mentor Awards, and grants for rural bilingualism research. She serves as President of the International Association for TBLT and Associate Editor for Studies in Second Language Acquisition.