Shanshan He

she296@uwo.ca

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Linguistics at Western University. My research focuses on second language (L2) listening assessment and the cognitive processes underlying listening comprehension. I am particularly interested in using biometric methods, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and eye tracking, to investigate L2 listening.

I grew up in China, where many students, including myself, faced challenges learning English and preparing for proficiency examinations. These experiences inspired me to pursue a B.A. in English at Tianjin Foreign Studies University. As a lifelong language learner and English teacher, I have designed and taught courses to support learners in developing their listening and speaking skills.

Motivated by these experiences, I continued my journey in TESOL at Western University, where I discovered my passion for language assessment research. During my M.A., I conducted research on language assessment and computer-assisted language learning (CALL) with my supervisor, Dr. Ruslan Suvorov, and published both collaborative and independent research articles. My M.A. thesis examined the use of interactive videos—videos with embedded questions—in a L2 listening test and received the 2023 Caroline Clapham IELTS Award.

In my Ph.D. research, I continue exploring technology-enhanced approaches to language assessment. My current work investigates how L2 learners process and respond to multimodal listening assessments through biometric methods such as EEG and eye tracking. Across multiple projects, I examine cognitive effort, visual attention, note-taking behaviours, and the effects of test design features on listening performance, with the goal of providing process-oriented evidence to support the design and validation of L2 listening assessments.

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 Learning & Teaching

Awards

Research Grants and Awards:

2026 Faculty of Education Student Conference Travel Award (CAD 3,000)
2026 TOEFL Grant for Doctoral Research in Language Assessment (USD 1,500)
2025 Duolingo English Test Dissertation Research Award (USD 6,000)
2025 ILTA Student Travel Grant (USD 2,000)
2025 Student Conference Travel Award (CAD 2,165)
2024 Graduate Excellence in Teaching Award (9309 Second Language Assessment)
2023 Caroline Clapham IELTS Masters Award (3000 GBP)

Conferences Attended

He, S., & Liu, C. (2025, October). Joint course development to promote language assessment literacy in TESOL education: A collaborative autoethnography study. Paper presented at the Sixth Symposium of the Southern Ontario Universities, Niagara College, ON, Canada (Hybrid).

Sénécal, A.-M., Stansfield, L., He, S., & Suvorov, R. (2025, October). Examining research on language test preparation practices: A systematic review with insights for the Canadian context. Paper presented at the Canadian Association of Language Assessment (CALA) Conference, Halifax, NS, Canada.

He, S. (2025, June). Interactive videos in an L2 listening test: How do they affect test scores? Paper presented at the 46th Language Testing Research Colloquium (LTRC), Bangkok, Thailand.

He, S. (2025, March). Exploring the effect of interactive videos on L2 test takers’ listening test performance. Paper presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference, Denver, CO, USA.

He, S., & Liu, C. (2024, October). A collaborative reflection on implementing digital identity text in language teacher education: A narrative inquiry. Paper presented at the Fifth Symposium of the Southern Ontario Universities, London, ON, Canada (Hybrid).

Sénécal, A., Stansfield, L., He, S., & Suvorov, R. (2024, April). A systematic review of the methodological aspects of studies on L2 test preparation. Paper presented at the Language Assessment Research Conference (LARC), Provo, UT, USA.

Li, Z., Suvorov, R., He, S., & Kriukova, O. (2023, June). Using interactive videos for assessing L2 listening: The effects of delivery modes and item formats. Paper presented at the European Association for Language Testing and Assessment (EALTA), Helsinki, Finland.

Suvorov, R., Li, Z., Kriukova, O., & He, S. (2023, May). Interactive videos for the IELTS Listening test: What can test-takers’ response processes tell us? Paper presented at the Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics (CAAL/ACLA) Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada.

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. (accepted). Methods for studying L2 listening processes. In E. Wagner & Y. In’nami (Eds.), The theory and practice of second language listening assessment. Applied Linguistics Press.

Stansfield, L., Sénécal, A.-M., He, S., & Suvorov, R. (2026). The impact of test preparation practices on L2 test performance and language proficiency: A systematic review. Research Synthesis in Applied Linguistics. Advanced online publication. http://doi.org/10.1080/29984475.2026.2662635

He, S., & Suvorov, R. (2026). Interactive videos in multimodal listening assessments: Examining language learners’ perspectives. TESOL Quarterly. Advanced online publication. http://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.70099

Stansfield, L., Sénécal, A.-M., He, S., & Suvorov, R. (2025). Protocol for a systematic review of the impact of test preparation practices on L2 test performance and language proficiency. Research Synthesis in Applied Linguistics, 1(1), 82–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/29984475.2025.2501997

He, S., Sénécal, A.-M., Stansfield, L., & Suvorov, R. (2025). A scoping review of research on second language test preparation. Language Testing, 42(1), 11–47. https://doi.org/10.1177/02655322241249754

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

Teaching experience

Course Instructor

Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada

GRADEDUC 9309 Computer-Assisted Language Learning (M.P.Ed. TESOL program)
GRADEDUC 9309 Second Language Assessment (M.P.Ed. TESOL program)
EDUC 5439 Supporting English Language Learners (B.Ed. program)

Manuscript Reviewer:

International Journal of Listening
International Journal of Applied Linguistics
Research Synthesis in Applied Linguistics

Conference Reviewer:

American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) 2025, 2026
American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2026
Midwest Association of Language Testers Conference (MwALT) 2025
Second Language Research Forum (SLRF) 2025, 2026
Technology for Second Language Learning (TSLL) 2026

Leadership:

Vice-Chair, International Language Testing Association (ILTA) Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) (2026)
Editor-in-Chief, International Language Testing Association (ILTA) Bibliography (2022–2026)
Senior Copyeditor, Canadian Journal for New Scholars in Education (CJNSE) (2023–2024)
Co-Chair, Robert Macmillan Symposium in Education (RMSE) (2022)

Shanshan He, MPEd, MA

Curriculum Studies and Studies in Applied Linguistics