Shanshan He

she296@uwo.ca

I am a first-year Ph.D. student in Applied Linguistics at Western University. My research primarily focuses on technology-assisted language assessment and its pedagogical implication on language learning.

I was born and raised in China where many students like me, struggle to learn English and pass English exams. I hold a B.A. in English from Tianjin Foreign Studies University. As a life-long English learner and teacher, I have designed different courses to effectively improve English learners’ listening and speaking skills in China. Influenced by these lived experiences, I continued my journey on TESOL at Western University, and this is also where I find my passion for doing research on language assessment. During my MA stage, I conducted several research projects on language assessment and computer-assisted language learning (CALL) with my supervisor (Dr. Ruslan Suvorov), and published research articles collaboratively and individually. My MA research explored the use of interactive videos (i.e., videos with questions embedded at certain intervals in the video playback) in second language listening tests.

For my Ph.D. study, I worked as a Research Assistant for a funded research project titled Investigating the effect of interactive videos on test-takers’ performance on the listening section of IELTS academic. I am also working on a research synthesis exploring test preparation as part of washback effects with my colleagues.

Ruslan Suvorov, PhD

Supervisor

Course Work Completed

Ph.D. Seminar
Ph.D. Independent Read and Research
Multilevel Modeling
Intro to Data Management and Linear Modeling Using R
Approaches to Education Research
Intro to Quantitative Research Methods
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
Special Topics: Curriculum, Contemporary Approaches to Pedagogy
Computer-Assisted Language Learning
Second Language Assessment
Language Teacher Education
Social Approaches to Language
Teaching & Learning Grammar
Teaching Pronunciation
Teaching the four skills
Teaching & Learning Vocabulary
Understanding Second Language

Conferences Attended

He, S., & Suvorov, R. (2023, March). Harnessing interactive videos for L2 listening assessment. Paper accepted as part of the colloquium titled "Digital-first language environments for learning, assessment, and workforce: what, why, and how?" at the 2023 American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference, Portland, OR.

He, S. (2022, October). Using and evaluating interactive videos in and outside of English learning classrooms: Theory and course design. Poster presented at the 2022 Technology for Second Language Learning (TSLL) Conference, Ames, IA (Hybrid).

Suvorov, R., & He, S. (2022, September). A systematic review of research on the use of visuals in L2 listening assessment. Paper presented at the LARC/MwALT/ECOLT Conference, Chicago, IL.

He, S. (2022, March). Exploring the use of interactive videos in L2 listening tests: A mixed methods study. Paper presented at the Symposium on Second Language Learning, London, Canada.

Suvorov, R., & He, S. (2021, October). Methodological synthesis of research on visuals in L2 listening assessment. Paper presented at the Midwest Association of Language Testers (MwALT) Conference, Ames, IA (online).

He, S. (2021, March). Embracing multimedia for second language (L2) listening instruction and assessment. Paper presented at Robert MacMillan Graduate Symposium in Education (RMSE), London, Canada (online).

Publications

He, S. (2022). [Review of the book Digital games and language learning: Theory, development and implementation, by M. Peterson, K. Yamazaki, and M. Thomas]. Language Learning & Technology, 26(1), 1–4. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/73459

Suvorov, R., & He, S. (2022). Visuals in the assessment and testing of second language listening: A methodological synthesis. International Journal of Listening, 36(2), 80–99. https://doi.org/10.1080/10904018.2021.1941028

Additional Information

Journal Reviewer:

International Journal of Listening

Leadership:

Senior Copyeditor of Canadian Journal for New Scholars in Education (CJNSE) (2023)
Co-Editor of International Language Testing Association Bibliography (2022 – present)
Co-Chair of Robert Macmillan Symposium in Education (RMSE) 2022

Services:

Member of Associate Dean of Research Search & Selection Committee, Faculty of Education (2021-2022)
Member of Appointments Committee, Faculty of Education (2021)
Faculty Council Representative, MA student (2021)

Shanshan He, MPEd, MA

Curriculum Studies and Studies in Applied Linguistics