Lance Knowles


Lance Knowles
Co-founder & Head of Research
DynEd International

Lance Knowles is an expert on the development and use of interactive language learning programs. As founder and long-time President of DynEd International, he has led the design of numerous award-winning courses and tests. Used by millions of learners in over 70 countries worldwide, his programs have been approved by Ministries of Education, including France, Turkey and China.

With more than 35 years experience in language education, Mr. Knowles is the developer of Recursive Hierarchical Recognition (RHR), a brain-based learning theory that guides the design and implementation of effective language learning programs. His theory finds support in the latest cognitive neuroscience research.

Mr. Knowles co-founded the company in 1987 and earned a patent for the features at the root of the company’s interface design and authoring tools. He has been a frequent speaker at conferences in China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Turkey, Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, Russia, Europe, the US, and Malaysia.

Prior to founding DynEd, Mr. Knowles was the Director of the Language Institute of Japan, which provided intensive language training to many of Japan’s leading companies. Mr Knowles is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with degrees in physics and mathematics. His most recent publications are: Rethinking Assessment; Redefining Roles: Language Learners, Teacher and Technology; and Recursive Hierarchical Recognition: A Brain-based Theory of Language Learning.

Professional Summary

Areas of Expertise

  • Recursive Hierarchical Recognition (RHR) – a cognitive, neuroscientific language learning theory
  • Neuroscientific Principles in Multimedia Courseware Design and Teacher Training
  • Curriculum, Program, and Test Design
  • Speech Recognition, Cognitive Neuroscience

Plenary Speaker

  • Korea Association of Foreign Language Education
  • JALT CALL, Nagoya, Japan (2012)
  • 8th Middle East Technical University International ELT Convention, Ankara, Turkey
  • 6th and 7th FEELTA Conferences, Russia (2006, 2008)
  • 2009 GLoCALL Conference, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Featured Speaker

  • Texas Migrant Education Conference (2006)
  • Pan Asia TESOL (Thailand)
  • Japan Association of Language Teachers (JALT)
  • Philippine Normal University
  • English Language Teaching Center (Malaysia)
  • RELC, (Singapore, 2009)
  • Hanoi University of Foreign Studies (Vietnam)

Selected Publications & Textbooks

  • Knowles, Lance . (2014, Sept). “Testing Reformed” Language Magazine, Journal of Communication and Education
  • Knowles, Lance . (2013). Redefining Roles: Language Learners, Teachers and Technology, 11th IEEE International Conference on Emerging eLearning Technologies and Applications Proceedings Oct. 24-25. 2-13. Stary Smokovec. The High Tatras, Slovakia
  • Knowles, Lance. (2010). The Great Divide: Mixing Teachers with Technology In C. Ward (Ed.), The Impact of Technology on Language Learning and Teaching: What, How and Why. Singapore: SEAMEO Regional Language Centre.
  • Knowles, Lance. (2009, Aug) “Mind Blocks” Language Magazine, Journal of Communication and Education
  • Knowles, Lance. (2004, July/Aug) On the Cusp: New Developments in Language Teaching ESL Magazine Issue 40
  • Knowles, Lance. (2004, Aug) The Evolution of CALL Language Magazine, Journal of Communication and Education
  • Knowles, Lance (2000) Integrating Multimedia into Language Teaching The Language Teacher Issue 24.07
  • Knowles, P. Lance, and Bailey, Francis. (1987) Functioning in Business. London and New York: Longman
  • Knowles, Phillip Lance and Ruth Sasaki. (1981) Fluency Squares for Business and Technology. New York: Regents Publishing Company

Multimedia Courses (Principal author)

  • New Dynamic English; Dynamic Business English; Functioning in Business; English by the Numbers
  • A Christmas Carol; The Lost Secret (multimedia version of a video course with BBC English)
  • First English; English For Success; DynEd Kids; & Mastery Tests [Academic English Series]
  • Let’s Go Placement and Mastery Tests
  • Placement Test & Speaking Tests (computer-adaptive, variable length)
  • Aviation English for Pilots; Aviation English for Controllers (2008) & Mastery Tests
  • Teaching English: A Brain-based Approach (2009)

Home of Research