Alison Mackey

Dr. Mackey, Professor of Linguistics at Georgetown University, is a leading expert in applied linguistics, focusing on how people learn second languages. Her language learning research has appeared in all of the top scholarly journals in her field and she has published 16 books, including three on children’s language learning and teaching. One of her best-known books, co-authored with Professor Kendall King, is The Bilingual Edge: Why, When and How to Teach Your Child a Second Language (HarperCollins). A celebrated instructor, Professor Mackey has taught linguistics around the world, consulted for several major language learning companies, and reviewed international baccalaureate and language programs. She is a past winner of the Modern Language Association’s Kenneth W. Mildenburger prize (with Susan M. Gass). Her graduate work was at the University of Sydney and Cambridge University, where she earned her Ph.D. and M. Phil., respectively.