Dr Mattia Zingaretti

Teaching

I deliver lectures and seminars, as well as assessing coursework, on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules. In 2025-2026, I am teaching on:

• LAL4017M Introduction to Linguistics and Multilingualism
• LAL5007M Language at Work
• LAL5025M TESOL: Foundations of Second Language Acquisition and Teaching
• LAL6018M TESOL: Second Language Teaching Resources and Practices
• LAL7021M Research Methods

I also supervise dissertation projects on our BA, MA, MRes and PhD programmes.

Research

My research develops along two complementary strands. For further detail, please have a look at my publications and presentations, where you can find links to papers, talks and media outputs.

Psycholinguistics of bi/multilingualism

Since my PhD work at the University of Edinburgh, I have carried out research on the linguistic, cognitive and emotional impact of speaking more than one language. In my doctoral work funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (2018-2022), I examined first language (L1) attrition in different language domains of adult second language (L2) speakers (supervised by Prof Antonella Sorace, Prof Vicky Chondrogianni and Prof D. Robert Ladd). I also explored the linguistic and cognitive effects of intensive language learning (with A. Sorace and Roberta Spelorzi, University of Edinburgh) after securing internal funding from the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences at Edinburgh (2020-2021). Additionally, I was part of the Edinburgh research unit for the Una Europa funded project “A Linguistic Investigation of Hate Speech - ALIHAS” (2021-2022), where I investigated emotional responses to hate speech in bilingual speakers (with A. Sorace and Dr Maria Garraffa, University of East Anglia).

Bi/multilingualism and education

Since joining York St John, I have collaborated with my colleague Dr Indu Vibha Meddegama on heritage language maintenance and language learning in community language school settings (2023-). Together, we are examining translanguaging pedagogies and arts-based approaches to language education. We are also co-supervising Mitchell Culhane on a PhD project, partly funded by the Institute for Social Justice, investigating the impact of community language schooling on language learning and teaching (2025-2028). At Edinburgh, I contributed to the Erasmus+ funded Teacher Education about Multilingualism (TEAM) project (with A. Sorace, R. Spelorzi, and Prof Aleksandra Wach, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań), developing multilingual education resources for teachers (2021-2023). I also worked on the project “Connecting Linguistics Research with English and Modern Foreign Language Teaching” (with Dr Christian Ilbury, Professor Jennifer Culbertson, and V. Chondrogianni), which aimed to bridge linguistic research with classroom practice (2023).

Publications

Articles

Zingaretti, M. & Frear, L. (2025). The benefits and challenges of queering TESOL: A qualitative research synthesis. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2025.2551126

Zingaretti, M., Chondrogianni, V., Ladd, D.R. & Sorace, A. (2025). L1 attrition vis-à-vis L2 acquisition: Lexicon, syntax-pragmatics interface, and prosody in L1-English L2-Italian late bilinguals. Languages, 10(9), 224. https://doi.org/10.3390/languages10090224

Zingaretti, M. & Spelorzi, R. (2022). One size fits none in international higher education: A UK-based case study on how to foster inclusive participation and active engagement in the classroom. Postgraduate Pedagogies, 2(1), 73-97. https://journals.studentengagement.org.uk/index.php/gtateach/article/view/1149 

Zingaretti, M. & Spelorzi, R. (2021). Bridging the gap between native and non-native English-speaking teachers: Insights from bilingualism research. Spark: Stirling International Journal of Postgraduate Research, 7(1), 1-23. https://spark.stir.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Zingaretti-and-Spelorzi_final.pdf 

Book chapters

Zingaretti, M., Garraffa, M. & Sorace, A. (2024). The impact of bilingualism on hate speech perception and slur appropriation: An initial study of Italian UK residents. In S. Cruschina & C. Gianollo (Eds.), An investigation of hate speech in Italian: Use, identification, and perception (pp. 193-230). Helsinki University Press. https://doi.org/10.3390/languages10090224

Book reviews

Zingaretti, M. (2025). Bridging scholarship and practice in higher education: Fostering innovative research and enhancing teaching, by Sam Illingworth, London, Routledge, 2025, 168 pp., £29.99 (Paperback), ISBN 9781032814773. Educational Review. 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2025.2539620

Dissertations

Zingaretti, M. (2022). First language attrition in late bilingualism: Lexical, syntactic and prosodic changes in English-Italian bilinguals [Doctoral dissertation, University of Edinburgh]. Edinburgh Research Archive. https://doi.org/10.7488/era/3187 

Zingaretti, M. (2017). On nativeness and near-nativeness: An analysis of the implications of convergence between L1 attriters and L2 speakers [Master’s dissertation, University of Edinburgh]. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.27585.68960/1 

Zingaretti, M. (2016). Beyond native-speakerism: Teaching and learning criteria in ELF use [Bachelor’s dissertation, Sapienza University of Rome]. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.36393.72805/1

Popular science

Zingaretti, M. & Frear, L. (2025, August 17). Teaching about gender and sexual diversity in English for speakers of other languages: Benefits and challenges from recent research. OASIS Summary of Zingaretti & Frear (2025) in Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching. https://www.oasis-database.org/details/skymncilc

Zingaretti, M. (2021, November 25). Learning and teaching approaches in Higher Education: Promoting deep learning through constructive alignment. Teaching Matters Blog. https://www.teaching-matters-blog.ed.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching-approaches-in-higher-education-promoting-deep-learning-through-constructive-alignment/  

Zingaretti, M. (2020, September 18). The importance of language learning and maintenance amid Brexit and COVID-19: Evidence from successful EAL practice. Bilingualism Matters Blog. https://web.archive.org/web/20230604214445/https://www.bilingualism-matters.ppls.ed.ac.uk/eal-new-normal/

Zingaretti, M. (2019, December 13). What’s the point of writing essays?. Forward Thinking. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926141958/https://forwardthinking.ppls.ed.ac.uk/2019/12/13/whats-the-point-of-writing-essays/

Zingaretti, M. (2019, November 22). So, do YOU speak a second language? Bilingualism myths and misconceptions. PPLS Student Blogs. https://www.blogs.ppls.ed.ac.uk/2019/11/22/so-do-you-speak-a-second-language-bilingualism-myths-and-misconceptions/ 

Zingaretti, M. (2019, May 28). Lost for words – in your native language. Forward Thinking. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926154128/https://forwardthinking.ppls.ed.ac.uk/2019/05/28/lost-for- words-in-your-native-language/  

Media

Zingaretti, M. [York St John University]. (2025, August 8). Study TESOL and Linguistics at York St John University. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYLgdGamlYA

Meddegama, I.V., Sors, L. & Zingaretti, M. [York St John University]. (2025, January 23). Our Community Language School. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xq0Uem1FLU

Spelorzi, R. & Zingaretti, M. [Teacher Education About Multilingualism - TEAM]. (2023, March 14). Attrition in a nutshell: Interview with Prof. Antonella Sorace. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1167MRETxw&t=549s    

Spelorzi, R. & Zingaretti, M. [Teacher Education About Multilingualism - TEAM]. (2023, March 14). Attrition in a nutshell: Interview with Prof. Antonella Sorace. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1167MRETxw&t=549s    

Sorace, A., Spelorzi, R. & Zingaretti, M. [Teacher Education About Multilingualism - TEAM]. (2023, March 14). Issues with the “native” speaker: Implications of attrition in the classroom. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGQH4IaGt6w&t=1s 

Sorace, A., Spelorzi, R. & Zingaretti, M. [Teacher Education About Multilingualism - TEAM]. (2023, March 14). Issues with the “native” speaker: First language attrition. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TRJz6kszNA&t=4s   

Spelorzi, R. & Zingaretti, M. (2021, June 1). The effects of two languages in one mind: First language attrition. https://www.slideshare.net/mattiazingaretti/the-effects-of-two-languages-in-one-mind-first-language-attrition. CC BY-SA 4.0 license 

Schnelten, E. M. & Zingaretti, M. (Hosts). (2021, February 11). BYElingual – Prof. Monika Schmid and Attrition (No. 9). [Audio podcast episode]. In Much Language Such Talk. Bilingualism Matters. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mnWpMy7COSRDIsgS9M97h?si=507d5f1db1984a6e 

Presentations

Conferences

Meddegama, I. V., & Zingaretti, M. (2025, September 6). Translanguaging as an inclusive pedagogy: teacher perspectives and classroom practices at a community language school in Yorkshire [Paper presentation]. 58th Annual Conference of the British Association for Applied Linguistics, Glasgow, Scotland.

Zingaretti, M., & Meddegama, I. V. (2025, June 11). Challenging monolingual norms: The impact of translanguaging practices in a UK-based community language school [Poster presentation]. 15th International Symposium on Bilingualism, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.

Zingaretti, M., & Frear, L. (2025, April 4). The benefits and challenges of queering TESOL: A qualitative research synthesis [Paper presentation]. 3rd International Gender-Inclusive Language Instruction Conference, Los Angeles, California. [Video recording: 25:56-44:38].

Zingaretti, M., Garraffa, M. & Sorace, A. (2024, September 26). Hate speech perception and slur appropriation in late bilingual speakers: The case of Italian UK residents [Poster presentation]. 5th Experimental Pragmatics in Italy Conference, Venice, Italy.

Zingaretti, M. (2024, September 6). Reconceptualising the (near-)native speaker: The implications of first language attrition for applied linguistics and second language acquisition research [Paper presentation]. 57th Annual Conference of the British Association for Applied Linguistics, Colchester, England.

Zingaretti, M. (2024, May 22). Bilingualism and hate speech: The appropriation of L1 and L2 slurs by sexual and ethnic minorities. [Poster presentation]. Centre for Language and Social Justice Research Annual Showcase Event, York, England.

Meddegama, I. V., Skender-Lizatovic, M., Zingaretti, M. & Sors, L. (2024, May 22). Advancing community language schools: Research-based insights on language volunteer training, teaching practices, and impact. [Poster presentation]. Centre for Language and Social Justice Research Annual Showcase Event, York, England.

Zingaretti, M., Spelorzi, R. & Sorace, A. (2022, October 25). The effects of an intensive online language course: Linguistic and cognitive changes in English learners of Italian [Poster presentation]. Bilingualism Matters Research Symposium 2022, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Zingaretti, M. (2022, August 24). Investigating L1 attrition in late L2 acquisition: A discussion of key methodological issues in the comparison of different language domains [Paper presentation]. The 31st Conference of the European Second Language Association, Fribourg, Switzerland.

Zingaretti, M., Chondrogianni, V., Ladd, D. R. & Sorace, A. (2022, March 25). The dynamics of late bilingualism: First language change in adult language learners [Paper presentation]. Fourth International Conference on Language Attrition and Bilingualism, New Haven, Connecticut.

Zingaretti, M., Garraffa, M. & Sorace, A. (2022, March 11). The impact of bilingualism on hate speech perception and slur appropriation: A first study on Italian UK residents [Paper presentation]. Excessive Language in Public Discourse, Helsinki, Finland.

Zingaretti, M., Garraffa, M. & Sorace, A. (2021, November 12). L’impatto del bilinguismo sulla percezione del linguaggio d’odio e sulla riappropriazione dell’insulto: un primo studio sugli italiani residenti nel Regno Unito [Paper presentation]. Workshop Internazionale ALIHAS - A Linguistic Investigation of Hate Speech, Bologna, Italy.

Spelorzi, R. & Zingaretti, M. (2021, September 17). A week abroad from the comfort of your home: Preliminary results of an intensive online language course [Paper presentation]. The Third Year Abroad Conference - The Year Abroad: Reimagined, jointly organised online by Keele University and Regent’s University London, London, England.

Zingaretti, M. & Spelorzi, R. (2021, May 25). The challenges of inclusive education in times of distance learning [Paper presentation]. Learning for Citizenship Conference - Supporting Migrant Students Through the Pandemic, Nottingham, England.

Zingaretti, M. (2019, September 21). Between acquisition and attrition: First language change in late second language learners [Poster presentation]. Bilingualism Matters Research Symposium 2019, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Zingaretti, M. (2019, April 16). When a foreign language interferes with your native language: The relationship between L2 acquisition and L1 attrition in English-Italian and Italian-English bilingual adults [Poster presentation]. Experimental Methods in Language Acquisition Research XV, Utrecht, Netherlands.

Invited talks

Zingaretti, M. (2025, April 3). The effects of intensive L2 learning: Cognitive and linguistic insights from an online language course. Bilingualism and Developmental Linguistics Research Group, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. [Talk slides].

Scheffer, S. & Zingaretti, M. (2024, September 6). Pondering an AI- powered future for language education? Considerations from—and beyond—a technology-mediated language learning study. Language Learning and Teaching SIG Colloquium “Generative AI in language learning and teaching: theoretical and practical approaches”, 57th Annual Conference of the British Association for Applied Linguistics, Colchester, England. [Talk slides]

Zingaretti, M. (2023, November 1). The linguistic, cognitive and emotional impact of bilingualism: Perspectives from multiple research approaches. Languages and Linguistics Student Colloquium Series, York St John University, York, England. [Talk slides]

Zingaretti, M. (2022, April 4). The relationship between second language acquisition and first language change across language domains: Discussing data from English learners of Italian. Edinburgh University Bilingualism Research Group, Edinburgh, Scotland. [Talk slides]

Zingaretti, M. (2021, November 3). Can native speakers ‘forget’ their first language? Discussing findings and implications of research on second language acquisition and first language attrition. Edinburgh University Translation Society, Edinburgh, Scotland. [Talk slides]

Zingaretti, M. (2020, October 21). Every translator is bilingual, but is every bilingual a translator? The role of bilingualism in translation. Edinburgh University Translation Society, Edinburgh, Scotland. [Talk slides]

Professional activities

I am Fellow of Advance HE, and a member of Bilingualism Matters, the British Association for Applied Linguistics, the European Second Language Association, the Education, Languages, and Internationalisation network, the UK Advising and Tutoring association and the Association of Italian Scientists in the UK.

My peer-review contributions include work with the UK Research and Innovation Arts and Humanities Research Council, Narodowe Centrum Nauki, The Language Learning Journal, Languages and Italiano LinguaDue.