I hold a PhD in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from the University of Barcelona (UB). I am tenure-track Serra Hunter Lecturer, and a research member of the Barcelona L2 Speech and GRAL research groups (UB). My research career follows a coherent and sustained trajectory on the acquisition of L2 speech across perceptual and productive dimensions, with a strong commitment to designing, testing and assessing the efficacy of segmental and more holistic training methods and conditions to improve L2 pronunciation. A central contribution of my work was the development of audiovisual (AV) perception and production High-Variability Training (HVPT) methodologies for L2 English vowel acquisition (PhD, 2017, UB). Recent work has included perception-and-production training, training with visual monitoring and noise, training with non-words, foreign accent imitation training, and self-assessment training. My research aims at enhancing segmental accuracy as well as developing global dimensions of L2 pronunciation proficiency (intelligibility, comprehensibility, accentedness and fluency).

Latest News
—Publications

Mora, J., Mora-Plaza, I., Aliaga-García, C. & Ortega, M. (2026). L2 accent imitation in the L1: A Novel Approach to Train Advanced L2 Learners’ Pronunciation.. In Tergujeff, E. & Kirkova-Naskova, A. (Eds.), Achievements in Second Language Pronunciation: Good Practices for Teaching and Learning.

Mora-Plaza, I., Mora, J., Ortega, M., & Aliaga-García, C. (2024). Is L2 pronunciation affected by increased task complexity in pronunciation-unfocused speaking tasks?. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 46 (4), 1117-1149.

—Presentations

Mora-Plaza, I., Ortega, M., & Aliaga-Garcia, C.. (2025, November 12–14). Imitating a Second Language Accent in the First Language: Learner Perceptions. [Oral presentation]. 48 AEDEAN conference, University of Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain.

Gallardo-del-Puerto, F., & Aliaga-Garcia, C. . (2025, November 12–14). Does CLIL make a difference? A Longitudinal Acoustic Study of VOT Production [Oral presentation]. 48 AEDEAN conference, Vitoria, Spain. .