Year of graduation: 2018
Supervisors: Prof Suzanne Graham & Prof Jeanine Treffers-Daller
Research focus: I started my PhD research here at the Institute of Education in 2014, exploring the teaching and learning of vocabulary through listening among Chinese high-school learners of English. I used a quasi-experimental, mixed method design in a classroom intervention comparing incidental vocabulary learning through listening with different types of vocabulary instruction.
Memorable experiences at the IoE: As an international student, I was made to feel very welcome, with a warm and informative induction that helped familiarise me with the IoE’s vibrant research community. Alongside my PhD, I have worked as a research assistant on two projects (‘Linguistic Creativity in Language Learning’, ‘Phonics Roadshow’) and have taught postgraduate modules. The training, support and research seminars provided have equipped me well to become an independent researcher.
Career: I am now an Associate Professor in Second Language Learning at the University of Reading’s Institute of Education, having previously worked as a Teaching Fellow in Education at the same Institution. I lead and teach postgraduate level modules as well as supervise MA dissertations. My career aspiration is to become a leading scholar in my research field of second language education.