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Xin Gao
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences
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Biography
Xin's background is in second language learning and teaching. She gained a BA in English Language and Literature and an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL from Ji Lin University, China, a Postgraduate Certificate of Teaching English for Academic Purposes (PGCTEAP) and a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Nottingham. In her PhD study at the School of English Studies, she investigated what motivates students to learn English as a foreign language in China. The study confirmed that student motivation is a multi-faceted construct. Marked differences related to gender, age and school types and learning outcomes were also revealed. Furthermore, a significant powerful impact of coursebooks on student motivation was found. Besides their theoretical importance, insights gained from this research also contribute to our understanding of how to motivate students and how changes in the coursebook can contribute to the enhancement of student motivation.
Xin is a Course Leader for the MA Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL).
Teaching Summary
Xin is currently module convenors of Exploring TCSOL in Context and Understanding L2 Chinese Learning & the Learner, and teaching Materials and Technology in Language Education for both… read more
Research Summary
Xin's opportunities to get involved in the higher education sector both in China and in the UK have provided her with a stimulus as well as a laboratory for her research work. An overview of her… read more
Selected Publications
GAO, X and LU, Z. S, 2013. EAP issues in a Chinese university and their implications In: The BALEAP conference, Nottingham, UK.
LU, Z. S. and GAO, X., 2012. Short-term study abroad: What implications for EAP? In: The 8th International Symposium on Teaching English at Tertiary Level and the 17th Conference of Pan-Pacific Association of Applied Linguistics, Beijing, China.
GAO, X., 2011. English Language Education in China Nottingham China Reference. 2, 23-26 THONDHLANA, J and & GAO, X., 2009. Investigating academic demands and students’ communicative needs in a globalised university of the 21st Century: Reflections on a needs analysis Journal of the English for Specific Purposes SIG. 33, 10-15
Xin is currently module convenors of Exploring TCSOL in Context and Understanding L2 Chinese Learning & the Learner, and teaching Materials and Technology in Language Education for both face-to-face and web-based MA TESOL programmes.
She taught Fundamentals in Research Methods (- as module convenor) at the undergraduate level and Research Methods in Teaching and Learning Languages at the postgraduate level. She offered research trainings of Further Qualitative Research for the Graduate School.
Current Research
Xin's opportunities to get involved in the higher education sector both in China and in the UK have provided her with a stimulus as well as a laboratory for her research work. An overview of her involvement with a variety of research endeavours is outline below:
- As one of the pioneering staff at the Nottingham Ningbo campus, she developed and conducted various research projects (e.g. A longitudinal investigation on Chinese students' beliefs about language learning in a hybrid immersion context; developing EAP materials for Chinese learners; Tracking students' performance in the first year at the university). This research informed the Center's service of preparing international students with academic English and study skills.
- Recently, Xin has contributed to a range of internally and externally funded research project as analyst, co-investigator and lead researcher, including an ESRC project on Pedagogical quality and social inequity at the undergraduate level, Enhancing students' cross campus integration between the University of Nottingham's UK and international campuses, Investigating the academic literacy demands of disciplines and students' literacy needs, Developing a teaching and learning guide for managing multi-cultural group discussion, Shared walk - supporting the elderly with visual communication, and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in Chinese higher education: Issues and directions.
- Her personal research interests lie in three key domains: social psychological process of instructed SLA, especially L2 motivation; the other broader area of her research interests concerns Chinese women professionals with advanced English and cultural development, students' experience in the international higher education; finally, she is interested in aspects of research methodology, particularly qualitative and mixed methods research. She also contributes to the supervision of three students at the PhD level.
GAO, X and LU, Z. S, 2013. EAP issues in a Chinese university and their implications In: The BALEAP conference, Nottingham, UK.
LU, Z. S. and GAO, X., 2012. Short-term study abroad: What implications for EAP? In: The 8th International Symposium on Teaching English at Tertiary Level and the 17th Conference of Pan-Pacific Association of Applied Linguistics, Beijing, China.
GAO, X., 2011. English Language Education in China Nottingham China Reference. 2, 23-26 THONDHLANA, J and & GAO, X., 2009. Investigating academic demands and students’ communicative needs in a globalised university of the 21st Century: Reflections on a needs analysis Journal of the English for Specific Purposes SIG. 33, 10-15
THONDHLANA, J and & GAO, X., 2009. Needs Analysis Project: Phase I Report CELE, University of Nottingham.
GAO, X, 2006. Tracking Students’ Progress: Investigating Failing Students. Research Report Ningbo China: The University of Nottingham China Campus.
GAO, X, 2005. Tracking Students’ Performance in the Placement, Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3 Assessments. Research Report Ningbo China: The University of Nottingham China Campus.
GAO, X, 2005. ‘What factors affect students’ choice of postgraduate degree in China’. Briefing Paper. Ningbo China: The University of Nottingham China Campus.
GAO, X, 2004. Comparing the national English tests in China with IELTS. Briefing Paper At: Ningbo China: The University of Nottingham China Campus