Dr. Heike Mlakar

I am primarily focused on researching instructed foreign language learning and teaching, with a specific interest in how children develop L2 literacy skills. My research aims to understand the cognitive and linguistic factors which underpin L2 spelling and reading acquisition. I also investigate the effectiveness of different literacy instruction methods for beginner learners of English as a foreign language, including phonics, whole word, and combined approaches. Besides lecturing, I write EFL coursebooks for Austrian upper secondary students (Prime Time, English Unlimited).

Another area of research I am interested in is women writers of the Beat Generation. Specifically, I focus on the works of Brenda Frazer, Hettie Jones, Diane di Prima, and Joyce Johnson.

Contact: mlakar@uni-hildesheim.de

Articles, Book Chapters, and Book Reviews

Mlakar, H., & Hirst-Plein, J. (in preparation). Supporting learners with dyslexia in the EAL/EFL classroom: Scientific insights, challenges and inclusive practices.

Mlakar, H., Hirst-Plein, J., & Koch, M. J. (2025). Cognitive and linguistic influences on EFL real word and pseudoword spelling: Predictors and error analysis. Languages, 10(5), 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/languages10050093

Mlakar, H., Hirst-Plein, J., & Koch, M. (2025). L2 spelling predictors of young German learners of English. In S. Frisch & K. Glaser (Eds.), Early language education in instructed contexts: Current issues and empirical insights into teaching and learning languages in primary school, (pp. 118–140). John Benjamins. https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.62.06mla

Mlakar, H., & Schilk, M. (2025). L2 English reading, spelling, and cognitive-linguistic development: Evaluating the effects of phonics versus whole word instruction in L1 German elementary students. Language & Literacy, 27(2), 160–200. https://doi.org/10.20360/langandlit29711

Mlakar, H., Hirst-Plein, J., & Koch, M. J. (2024). Spelling error analysis in young English language learners from a German background: A comparison of three literacy intervention programmes. Journal of the European Second Language Association, 8(1), 131–147. https://doi.org/10.22599/jesla.113

Mlakar, H. (2023). [Review of the book An empirical study of EFL writing at primary school, by R. Trüb]. Fremdsprachen Lehren und Lernen (FLuL), 52(2), 128–130. https://doi.org/10.24053/FLuL-2023-0026

Mlakar, H. (2023). [Blurb of the book My True Stories, by B. Frazer]. Death of Workers Whilst Building Skyscrapers.

Mlakar, H. (2023). Introduction. In B. Frazer, Artista (pp. i–vi). Death of Workers Whilst Building Skyscrapers.

Mlakar, H. (2022, July 4-6). Cognitive mechanisms in L1 and L2 spelling: A review [Conference Proceedings]. European Conference on Literacy, Dublin, Ireland. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365896965_Cognitive_mechanisms_in_L1_and_L2_Spelling_A_Review

Mlakar, H. (2022, March 2). Finally brought to light: Brenda Frazer’s My True Stories (2022). Beatdom. https://www.beatdom.com/my-true-stories/

Mlakar, H. (2021). [Review of the book Some American Tales, by B. Frazer]. Beatdom, 21, 94–96.

Mlakar, H. (2020). Linguistic factors influencing L2 reading comprehension. In G. Mehegan & M. Wilson (Eds.), Literacy without borders. Engaging literacy learners in diverse settings (pp. 166-185). Eden Print Ltd.

Ruhm, R., Leitner-Jones, C., Kulmhofer, A., Kiefer, T., Mlakar, H., & Itzlinger-Bruneforth, U. (2016). Playing the recording once or twice: Effects on listening test performances. International Journal of Listening, 30(1–2), 67–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/10904018.2015.1104252

Mlakar, H. (2016). The ‘Beat Pad’: Joan Vollmer and Hettie Jones at the epicenter of the Beat Generation. CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture, 18(5). https://doi.org/10.7771/1481-4374.2928

Mlakar, H. (2007). Jack Kerouac’s and Brenda Frazer’s Shared ‘Romantic Primitivism’: A Comparative Study of On the Road and For Love of Ray. Neoamericanist, 3(1). https://ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/neoamericanist/article/download/15306/11997

Book

Mlakar, H. (2008). Merely being there is not enough: Women's roles in autobiographical texts by female Beat authors. Boca Raton, FL: Universal.

Textbooks and Teaching Materials

2026

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2025). Prime Time 8 (2nd ed.) [Coursebook with Audio CD/DVD and E-Book]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2025). Prime Time 8 [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2025

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2025). Prime Time 7 (2nd ed.) [Coursebook with Audio CD/DVD and E-Book]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2025). Prime Time 7 [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2024

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2024). Prime Time 6 (2nd ed.) [Coursebook with Audio CD/DVD and E-Book]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2025). Prime Time 6 [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2023

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2024). Prime Time 5 (2nd ed.) [Coursebook with Audio CD/DVD and E-Book]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2025). Prime Time 5 [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2018

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2018). Prime Time 8 [Coursebook with Audio CD and DVD]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2018). Prime Time 8 [Coursebook with Audio CD/DVD and E-Book]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2018). Prime Time 8 [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2018). Prime Time 8 [Test Resource Pack with Audio CD and CD-ROM]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2018). Prime Time 7 [CD-ROM – Digital Teaching Assistant]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Mlakar, H. (2018). Ausspracheschulung mithilfe von Raps. Englisch 5-10, 41(1), 8-11. https://www.friedrich-verlag.de/friedrich-plus/sekundarstufe/englisch/sprechen-aussprache/frankies-food-and-friends-566

2017

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 7 [Coursebook with Audio CD and DVD]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 7 [Coursebook with Audio CD/DVD and E-Book]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 7 [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 7 [Test Resource Pack with Audio CD and CD-ROM]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 6 [CD-ROM – Digital Teaching Assistant]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2016

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 6 [Coursebook with Audio CD and DVD]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 6 [Coursebook with Audio CD/DVD and E-Book]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 6 [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 6 [Test Resource Pack with Audio CD and CD-ROM]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2017). Prime Time 5 [CD-ROM – Digital Teaching Assistant]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2015

Mayr, B., & Mlakar, H. (2015). English Unlimited 4/5 (HTL) [Coursebook with Audio CD and CD-ROM]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Mayr, B., & Mlakar, H. (2015). English Unlimited 4/5 (HTL) [Coursebook with Audio CD/CD-ROM and E-Book]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Mayr, B., & Mlakar, H. (2015). English Unlimited 4/5 (HTL) [Teacher’s Handbook]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Mayr, B., & Mlakar, H. (2015). English Unlimited 4/5 (HTL) [CD-ROM – Digital Teaching Assistant]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

2014

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2014). English Unlimited 3 (HAK/HUM) [Coursebook with Audio CD and CD-ROM]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2014). English Unlimited 3 (HAK/HUM) [Coursebook with Audio CD/CD-ROM and E-Book]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., & Mlakar, H. (2014). English Unlimited 3 (HAK/HUM) [Teacher’s Handbook]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2014). English Unlimited 3 (HAK/HUM) [CD-ROM – Digital Teaching Assistant]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2014). Prime Time 5 Transition [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2014). Prime Time 5 Transition [Test Resource Pack with Audio CD and CD-ROM]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2013

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2013). English Unlimited 2 (HAK/HUM) [Coursebook with Audio CD and CD-ROM]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2013). English Unlimited 2 (HAK/HUM) [Coursebook with Audio CD/CD-ROM and E-Book]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2013). English Unlimited 2 (HAK/HUM) [CD-ROM – Digital Teaching Assistant]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2013). English Unlimited 2 (HTL) [Coursebook with Audio CD and CD-ROM]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2013). English Unlimited 2 (HTL) [Coursebook with Audio CD/CD-ROM and E-Book]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2013). English Unlimited 2 (HTL) [CD-ROM – Digital Teaching Assistant]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2013). English Unlimited 3 (HTL) [Coursebook with Audio CD and CD-ROM]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2013). English Unlimited 3 (HTL) [Coursebook with Audio CD/CD-ROM and E-Book]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Donath, W., Mayr, B., Mlakar, H., & Pope-Hoffmann, L. (2013). English Unlimited 3 (HTL) [CD-ROM – Digital Teaching Assistant]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2013). Prime Time 5 Transition [Coursebook with Audio CD and DVD]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2013). Prime Time 5 Transition [Coursebook with Audio CD/DVD and E-Book]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Mlakar, H. (2013). English Unlimited 2 (HTL) [Teacher’s Handbook]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Mlakar, H. (2013). English Unlimited 2 (HAK/HUM) [Teacher’s Handbook]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

Mlakar, H. (2013). English Unlimited 3 (HTL) [Teacher’s Handbook]. Cambridge, England & Vienna, Austria: Cambridge University Press & öbv.

2012

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2012). Prime Time 8 (1st ed.) [Coursebook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2012). Prime Time 8 (1st ed.) [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2012). Prime Time 8 (1st ed.) [Test Resource Pack]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2011

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2011). Prime Time 6 (1st ed.) [Coursebook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2011). Prime Time 6 (1st ed.) [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2011). Prime Time 6 (1st ed.) [Test Resource Pack]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2011). Prime Time 7 (1st ed.) [Coursebook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2011). Prime Time 7 (1st ed.) [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2011). Prime Time 7 (1st ed.) [Test Resource Pack]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2010

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2010). Prime Time 5 (1st ed.) [Coursebook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2010). Prime Time 5 (1st ed.) [Teacher’s Handbook]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

Hellmayr, G., Mlakar, H., & Waba, S. (2010). Prime Time 5 (1st ed.) [Test Resource Pack]. Vienna, Austria: öbv.

2026

Mlakar, H. (2026, June 24–27). L2 English phonological and orthographic spelling errors in L1 German English learners: Analyses and predictors [Paper presentation]. 35th annual conference of the European Second Language Association (EuroSLA), NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. 

Mlakar, H. (2026, June 3–5). L2 English phonological and orthographic spelling errors in L1 German English learners: Analyses and predictors [Paper presentation]. 2^nd Early Language Learning Research Association (ELLRA) conference, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

2025

Mlakar, H., Niolaki, G., Terzopoulos, A., & Hirst-Plein, J. (2025, October 4–7). L2 English phonological and orthographic spelling errors in L1 German English learners: Analyses and predictors [Paper presentation]. 6th Baltic Sea Conference on Literacy, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia.

Mlakar, H. (2025, September 15–17). Opening speech [Invited talk]. European Beat Studies Network 13th Annual Conference, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany.

Mlakar, H. (2025, August 25–29). Cognitive and linguistic predictors of L2 English spelling accuracy and misspellings [Paper presentation]. European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI), University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

Mlakar, H., & Hirst-Plein, J. (2025, June 19–20). Evaluating the impact of phonics and whole word approaches on L2 English literacy in young L1 German EFL learners [Paper presentation]. Advances in Teaching Foreign Languages to Young Learners, University of Leipzig; University of Wuppertal, Germany.

Mlakar, H. (2025, June 9–13). Investigating cognitive-linguistic influences on L2 English spelling: Insights from real word and pseudoword error analysis [Paper presentation]. 15th International Symposium on Bilingualism, San Sebastian, Spain.

2024

Mlakar, H. (2024, June 24–26). Teaching L2 spelling in primary school: Evaluating effective spelling instruction programmes [Paper presentation]. 23rd European Conference on Literacy, Chania, Greece.

Mlakar, H. (2024, February 9). Unveiling the spelling conundrum in the teaching of YLEs [Paper presentation]. Building Bridges between Theory and Practice in Language Teacher Education, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany.

2023

Mlakar, H. (2023, September 12–15). Narrative techniques in Beat women’s life writings [Paper presentation]. European Beat Studies Network 11th Annual Conference, The University of Chicago Center Paris, Paris, France.

Mlakar, H., & Hirst-Plein, J. (2023, August 30–September 2). Investigating the cognitive and linguistic underpinnings of L2 spelling [Paper presentation]. EUROSLA, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

2022

Mlakar, H., & Hirst-Plein, J. (2022, November 16). Cognitive and linguistic predictors of young L2 learners’ spelling ability [Paper presentation]. TEFL Colloquium, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany.

Mlakar, H. (2022, September 28–30). Disrupted narrative techniques in Brenda Frazer’s life writing. My True Stories (2022) [Paper presentation]. European Beat Studies Network 10th Annual Conference, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.

Mlakar, H., & Hirst-Plein, J. (2022, September 22–23). “I leik aiskrim”: Cognitive and linguistic predictors of young L2 learners’ spelling ability [Paper presentation]. Advances in Teaching Foreign Languages to Young Learners, University of Leipzig; University of Wuppertal, Germany. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.30893.15845

Mlakar, H. (2022, August 24–27). Predictors of spelling abilities in young second-language learners [Paper presentation]. EUROSLA, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.

Mlakar, H. (2022, July 4–6). Learner variables in second language spelling [Paper presentation]. 22nd European Conference on Literacy, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.

2021

Mlakar, H. (2021, March 20–23). Investigating young learners’ reading proficiency in L2 English: An evaluation of two literacy programs [Paper presentation]. American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference, Houston, TX, United States.

2019

Mlakar, H. (2019, October 9–12). Narrative techniques in Brenda Frazer’s life writing: Troia: Mexican Memoirs revisited [Paper presentation]. European Beat Studies Network 8th Annual Conference, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Greece.

Mlakar, H. (2019, November 8–9). Cognitive and linguistic variables influencing young learners’ L2 reading comprehension [Paper presentation]. Literacy Association of Ireland, 43rd Annual Conference, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.

2011

Mlakar, H. (2011, April 20–23). The concept of ‘home’ in female Beats’ memoirs [Paper presentation]. National Popular Culture & American Culture Association, San Antonio, TX, United States.

2008

Mlakar, H. (2008, December 12–13). Beatific ‘Romantic Racialists’: Jack Kerouac and Brenda Frazer on the shared road to racial prejudice [Paper presentation]. Kerouac’s On the Road: The Beats and the Post-Beats, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Invited Lectures

Mlakar, H. (2025, March 12). German EFL teachers' self-efficacy and professional development [Student workshop]. Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, United States.

Mlakar, H. (2024, March 7). Effective reading instruction: Analytic versus synthetic phonics [Invited lecture]. Department of Curriculum Studies, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Mlakar, H. (2018, February 19). Key topics in SLA [Lecture series contribution]. Department of Curriculum Studies, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Presentation: “Learning a foreign language with dyslexia.”