Read more about the article In the Spotlight: Adam Pfau and Research on Data-Driven Learning Modules
Adam Pfau 2023

In the Spotlight: Adam Pfau and Research on Data-Driven Learning Modules

Adam Pfau is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Second Language Studies (SLS) program. His dissertation examines how and to what extent direct (i.e., hands-on corpus use) or indirect (i.e., hands-off corpus materials) online data-driven learning modules can result in more appropriate hedging by Chinese English as a foreign language (EFL) writers in the context of academic English. This work involved developing and implementing two online courses, and a central focus of the study is on assessing the learners’ user experiences concerning any difficulties, challenges, or benefits they saw in engaging with the online course modules or the online language corpora.

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Joanne Koh Awarded Dissertation Support Award from Mango

Joanne Koh has won a highly competitive and prestigious dissertation support award from Mango, which is a company that provides online language learning support and platforms. In addition to obtaining support from Mango for her work, her dissertation work has also been included as an honorable mention from the TIRF.  Joanne’s dissertation investigates how adult Korean learners of English watch English language TV shows on Netflix. She is interested in how the learners use captions when they watch, as well as their motivations for turning captions on or leaving them off while viewing. By tracking learners’ viewing habits and patterns, along with their learning of new vocabulary, Joanne can see the benefits of extended viewing at home.

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Matt Coss Leads Instruction

MSU was recently awarded a second round of funding for a STARTALK professional development program for Chinese language teachers in the United States. Second Language Studies PhD student Matt Coss is the Lead Instructor for this program. In his capacity as Lead Instructor for MSU’s STARTALK program, he has developed (along with other program team members) a series of 120 hours of synchronous and asynchronous online and face-to-face professional learning experiences for in-service Chinese language teachers from all over the United States.

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Philip Montgomery’s research examines how collaborative critical reflection about linguistic diversity can shape institutional policies and practice

Philip Montgomery has been in Michigan State University’s Second Language Studies (SLS) program since August 2020. Before then, he had ten years of teaching and administrative experience. He holds a…

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Dylan Burton explores how language learners’ non-verbal behaviors during speaking tests might influence the scores the evaluators assign them

Dylan Burton joined Michigan State University’s Second Language Studies (SLS) program in May of 2019 after 15 years working in the field of language teaching and assessment in Europe and…

Continue ReadingDylan Burton explores how language learners’ non-verbal behaviors during speaking tests might influence the scores the evaluators assign them

Yingzhao Chen explores how language learners use interactive tools to best learn new vocabulary when reading online

Yingzhao Chen joined Michigan State University’s Second Language Studies (SLS) program in Fall 2018 with a focus on interdisciplinary research centered around second language learning and processing, as well as…

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Robert Randez’s research focuses on the learning of languages and the development of agency and identity by neurodivergent multilingual children

Robert Randez, a fourth-year student in Michigan State University’s Second Language Studies (SLS) PhD program, is an educational linguist interested in the experiences of neurodivergent multilinguals and those who teach…

Continue ReadingRobert Randez’s research focuses on the learning of languages and the development of agency and identity by neurodivergent multilingual children

Curtis Green-Eneix researches how society’s views on languages and education shape pre-service, K-12 teachers’ beliefs on how to best support linguistically diverse students in their classrooms

Curtis Green-Eneix is a Ph.D. candidate in the Second Language Studies (SLS) program at Michigan State University (MSU). Before joining MSU, he received his BA in English Linguistics with a…

Continue ReadingCurtis Green-Eneix researches how society’s views on languages and education shape pre-service, K-12 teachers’ beliefs on how to best support linguistically diverse students in their classrooms