Dr Janet Liang

Dr Janet Liang

Lecturer in Chinese

School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci

Career Summary

Biography

Dr Janet Liang is a Lecturer in Chinese studies at the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Over the past 20 years, Dr Liang has extended her work across a variety of educational contexts. She has developed and led numerous programs in Chinese language and cultural studies. This exposure has allowed her to engage with students of all ages, backgrounds, and cultural identities, creating opportunities for them to discover and embrace the richness of the Chinese language and its cultural heritage. By working in various linguistic and cultural contexts, she has gained a broad understanding of cross-cultural communication.

Her career, which spans both traditional classroom settings and innovative learning environments, is marked by an unwavering dedication to the importance of language acquisition and intercultural understanding. Her approach to teaching is deeply rooted in her belief in the cognitive, social, and personal benefits of language learning for all students. She aims to cultivate students’ communicative skills, intercultural understanding and global perspectives through language and culture education, preparing them for their future career in global market and contributing to a more harmonious international community. 

Dr Liang is deeply committed to engaging with peers, mentors, and professional organizations to build a strong network and seek opportunities for collaboration. Her work stands as a testament to the transformative power of language and culture in shaping open-minded, compassionate global citizens.

Research Expertise

Dr Liang specializes in Chinese language and culture education, focusing on innovative pedagogy for teaching Chinese to both heritage speakers and those from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Her research emphasizes the pedagogical issues of Chinese language programs, the integration of cultural context into language acquisition, and the development of innovative strategies for attracting, teaching and assessing students of Chinese. She aims to create an encouraging and supportive environment, enhancing the learning experience for all learners. 

Teaching Expertise

With extensive teaching experience, Dr Liang is dedicated to creating inclusive and engaging classroom environments. She has developed a range of teaching methods that make learning Chinese approachable and enjoyable for all students regardless of their previous exposure to the language. She employs a variety of pedagogical strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of her students, fostering a deep appreciation for the Chinese language and culture, and helping demystify the language and make it more relevant to students’ everyday lives.

Research Goal

Dr Liang's work is crucial in bridging culture gaps and promoting multilingualism in an increasingly globalized world. She is passionate about empowering students through language, believing that effective communication fosters understanding and collaboration across cultures. She dedicates herself to enriching her research profile and establishing connections with local school, communities, and other scholars. 

Administrative Role

Staring in 2025, Dr Liang will take on the role of Program Convenor for the Diploma in Languages at the School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences in the University of Newcastle, Australia.


Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
  • Master of Applied Linguistics, University of Newcastle
  • Master of Educational Studies, University of Newcastle

Keywords

  • Chinese Culture Education
  • Second Language Education
  • Teaching Chinese to Heritage speakers
  • Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages

Languages

  • English (Fluent)
  • Mandarin (Mother)

Fields of Research

Code Description Percentage
470303 Chinese languages 40
390108 LOTE, ESL and TESOL curriculum and pedagogy 40
390303 Higher education 20

Professional Experience

UON Appointment

Title Organisation / Department
Lecturer in Chinese University of Newcastle
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Australia

Teaching appointment

Dates Title Organisation / Department
1/3/2012 - 31/12/2023 Sessional Lecturer

Coordinating and teaching all Chinese courses

School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Australia

Teaching

Code Course Role Duration
CHIN3201 Advanced Written Chinese
School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/3/2012 - 31/12/2013
CHIN2301 Chinese Language and Culture Elementary 1
The University of Newcastle - School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/3/2012 - 31/12/2024
CHIN3101 Advanced Spoken Chinese I
School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/3/2012 - 31/12/2013
CHIN1120 Chinese Language and Culture Beginner 2
The University of Newcastle - School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/3/2012 - 31/12/2024
CHIN1110 Chinese Language and Culture Beginners 1
The University of Newcastle - School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/3/2012 - 31/12/2024
CHIN2301 Chinese Language and Culture Elementary 2
The University of Newcastle - School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/3/2012 - 31/12/2024
CHIN2500 Business English and Chinese
The University of Newcastle - School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 22/7/2019 - 31/12/2024
CHIN3202 Advanced Chinese with Translation
School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/3/2012 - 31/12/2013
CHIN2600 Chinese-English Translation
The University of Newcastle - School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 24/2/2020 - 31/12/2024
CHIN3102 Advanced Spoken Chinese II
School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle
Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/3/2012 - 31/12/2013
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Publications

For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.


Chapter (1 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2020 Chen S, Liang Y, Sit H, 'Creating a Productive Environment for Learners of Chinese in Australian Universities', 23-54 (2020)
Co-authors Helena Sit

Presentation (1 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2019 Liang Y, Sit H, Chen S, 'Examining the efficacy of Chinese as a second/foreign language programs in Australian universities' (2019)
Co-authors Helena Sit

Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2022 Liang Y, 'A Study of Chinese Language Teaching and Learning Environment at Australian Universities' (2022)
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Research Supervision

Number of supervisions

Completed0
Current1

Current Supervision

Commenced Level of Study Research Title Program Supervisor Type
2024 PhD Mui Tsai in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai During the Interwar Period PhD (History), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
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Dr Janet Liang

Position

Lecturer in Chinese
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
College of Human and Social Futures

Contact Details

Email janet.liang@newcastle.edu.au
Phone 02 4055 3446

Office

Room W.224
Location Callaghan
University Drive
Callaghan, NSW 2308
Australia
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