Biography
I received my Ph.D. in Instructional Psychology and Technology at Brigham Young University in August 2007 with research emphasis: Second Language Acquisition (Chinese emphasis). My dissertation topic: An analysis of grammar (syntactic) errors and attrition by adult native English speaking learners of Mandarin as L2. I received an M.A. in Language Acquisition (Chinese Emphasis) from Brigham Young University and a B.A. in Chinese literature and Linguistics, National Tsing Hua (清华) University, Taiwan. Recently, I was awarded the Karl G. Maeser Professional Faculty Excellence Award by Brigham Young University in 2013.
Teaching Interests
My professional interests encompass second language acquisition, pedagogy, and the design of Chinese media courses and curricula. Over the past two decades, I have prioritized the integration of multimedia technology into classroom teaching, believing that mastering Mandarin TV news broadcasts is a vital skill for advanced learners. My current collaboration with two colleagues focuses on developing an innovative approach to exploring China’s evolving influence through a contemporary lens. By engaging students with diverse audiovisual materials—ranging from podcast-style dialogues to news-style reports—this method bridges language registers, fosters critical thinking and debate, and equips learners with the tools to articulate complex ideas confidently and effectively.In addition to curriculum development, I have been privileged to mentor and guide students in the prestigious Chinese Bridge Competition from 2006 to 2023. Competing on the international stage against top contestants from over 100 countries, my students achieved remarkable results, including five regional championships in Washington, D.C., a top-10 global placement (2016), second prize (2023), and the Championship of the American Continent (2019). These experiences have reinforced my commitment to cultivating not only language proficiency but also confidence and cultural understanding in my students.
Education
- Ph.D. , Instructional Psychology & Technology (Second Language Acquisition Emphasis) , Brigham Young University (2007)
- MA, Second Language Acquisition , Chinese, Brigham Young University (2002)
- BA, Chinese Literature and Linguistics , National Tsing Hua University (清華大學) (1992)
Licenses and Certifications
- ACTFL, ACTFL OPI Full Tester Certification in Chinese (2015 - 2019)
Honors and Awards
- Best Podcast Award (Advanced level) for《试说新语》“Try to Speak the New Chinese” Chinese Podcast Contest, Columbia University National Resources Center & CUNY Queensborough Community College (2023 - 2023)
- Douglas R. Stewart Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship, Brigham Young University (2016 - 2019)
- Karl G. Maeser Professional Faculty Excellence Award, Brigham Young University (2013 - 2014)
Memberships
- Chinese Language Teachers Association (2022 - 2026)
- ACTFL (2014 - 2026)