Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accolades
Languages
Editorial Roles
Visiting Professorships
HDR Supervision
Certification
Invited Reviewer
Courses Taught
Competitive Grants
Publications
Selected presentations (2019-2024)
Timeline
Generic
A/Prof Xiaoping (Sherri) Gao

A/Prof Xiaoping (Sherri) Gao

Webpage: Https://scholars.uow.edu.au/xiaoping-gao,ORCID: 0000-0001-9297-2779

Summary

Highly accomplished academic with extensive experience in applied linguistics, educational technology, international education, and cross-cultural communication. Demonstrated success through six prestigious awards, leadership roles in teaching and research, and securing competitive grants. Skilled at fostering collaborations across disciplines and international partnerships. Published extensively in high-impact journals and recognized for developing innovative curricula, modern resources, leveraging technologies, excellent student supervision, and staff mentorship. Results-oriented achiever with proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced environments.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Associate Professor

Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, UOW
01.2022 - Current
  • Developed engaging curricula for language subjects by integrating contemporary research and pedagogical theories.
  • Designed innovative course materials for improved student engagement in Chinese language and cultural studies
  • Contributed to the development of a comprehensive curriculum, ensuring alignment with state standards and academic goals.
  • Organized extracurricular activities that enriched students'' educational experience while also promoting community involvement.
  • Championed the use of technology in the classroom as an effective tool for enhancing student learning experiences across all subjects areas.

Accredited Mentor

Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) Network
01.2023 - Current
  • Fostered mentees' personal growth by providing personalized guidance and support
  • Offered constructive feedback on mentees' applications, enabling them to refine their skills and enhance their potential to receiving awards

Chair, Principal Fellow

Wollongong Academy for Tertiary Teaching and Learning Excellence (WATTLE), UOW
07.2021 - Current
  • Formulated strategic partnerships to expand organizational reach and influence.
  • Led strategic initiatives for enhanced organizational alignment and cohesion.
  • Fostered relationships with stakeholders, promoting collaboration and partnership opportunities.
  • Mentored new board members, providing guidance on roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the position.
  • Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives, leading to more representative and engaged membership base.
  • Fostered collaboration across departments to streamline project implementation and enhance outcomes.
  • Coordinated logistics for annual conferences, resulting in increased attendance and member satisfaction.
  • Funding Fellow since 2014; Senior Fellow and Executive Member since 2021

Member

University Education Council, UOW
07.2022 - Current
  • Educated members on facility rules and regulations.
  • Assisted in maintaining a clean, organized facility that met safety standards while creating an inviting environment for members.

Assessment Panel Member

VC's Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning (OCTAL), UOW
01.2015 - Current

Accredited Peer Reviewer

Continuing Professional Development, UOW
03.2016 - Current
  • Conducted performance reviews for academics, providing constructive feedback to enhance teaching practices and foster an environment of intellectual growth, teaching excellence, and innovation.
  • Contributed to the improvement of organizational teaching quality and staff career development, leading to enhanced quality assurance and the cultivation of academic excellence.
  • Provided observation of teaching and constructive feedback on teaching practices to improve others' career development

Mentor

Academic Promotion, UOW
01.2022 - Current

Executive Committee Member

Languages and Cultures Networks for Australian Universities(LCNAU)
01.2020 - 12.2024

Publication Officer

LCNAU Studies Series
01.2023 - 12.2024

Discipline Leader

Languages and Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, UOW
01.2020 - 12.2023
  • Oversaw day-to-day activities of 15 full-time employees and 10 casual academics in six languages and linguistic disciplines.
  • Established and fostered inspiring atmosphere to optimize employee experiences.
  • Assisted with new hire processing and existing technology training programs, especially developing online formative and summative assessment tasks and quizzes on Moodle.
  • Developed and oversaw the UOWx Language Hangout Program, which facilitated over 1,000 students in building more than 10 language and cultural exchange groups, fostering community engagement, and supporting integration into Australian campus life.

Director

Academic Program for Diploma in Languages, UOW
01.2020 - 01.2023
  • Implemented performance metrics for consistent evaluation and improvement in language diploma.

Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies

Faculty of Law, Humanities and Arts, UOW
01.2018 - 12.2021

Academic Integrity Officer

School of Humanities and Inquiry, UOW
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Implemented policies and procedures to promote compliance and safety standards.
  • Conducted thorough investigations into complex cases, leading to successful resolution of numerous high-profile incidents.
  • Facilitated collaboration between faculties, improving efficiency and effectiveness in handling cross-jurisdictional cases.

Lecturer in Chinese Studies

Faculty of Law, Humanities and Arts, UOW
01.2015 - 12.2017

Lecturer in Chinese Studies (Teaching Intensive)

Faculty of Arts, UOW
01.2014 - 01.2015

Associate Lecturer (Teaching Intensive)

Faculty of Arts, UOW
01.2012 - 12.2013

Lecturer

Unitec Institute of Technology
02.2011 - 11.2011

Tutor

Massey University
02.2008 - 11.2011

Tutor

The University of Auckland
02.2005 - 11.2010

Manager

Champion International Education Group
08.2001 - 09.2004
  • Championed process improvements to enhance overall operational efficiency.
  • Ensured regulatory compliance by developing robust policies, procedures, and internal controls.
  • Established partnerships with key industry players to expand business opportunities.
  • Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by handling conflicts and developing targeted expansion strategies.
  • Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
  • Design curriculum and deliver language courses to improve Chinese international students' English proficiency.

Lecturer

Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing, China
07.1999 - 08.2001
  • Organised student activities and study tours as a Head of Students and Advisor
  • Developed curricula for Chinese language and culture subjects offered to second language learners of Chinese
  • Deliver the subjects to students at all proficiency levels

Instructor

Associated Colleges in China, Beijing, China
01.1999 - 01.2001

Instructor

Princeton in Beijing, Beijing, China
06.1998 - 06.1999

Instructor

Peking University, Beijing, China
01.1997 - 01.1999

Instructor

Council on International Educational Exchange of USA
06.1997 - 08.1999

Editorial Board member

International Journal of Chinese Language Teaching
01.2021 - Current

Editorial Board member

Researching and Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language
01.2022 - Current

Education

PhD - Teaching And Learning

The University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
05-2011

Master of Management - Finance

Massey University
Auckland, New Zealand
11-2004

Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration

Massey University
Auckland, New Zealand
11-2002

Master of Arts - Teaching Chinese To Speakers of Other Languages

Peking University
Beijing, China
06-1999

Bachelor of Arts - Chinese Language And Literature

Shanxi Normal University
Shanxi, China
06-1994

Bachelor of Arts - undefined

Shanxi Normal University
01.1994

Diploma of Accounting and Statistics - undefined

Shanxi Jiao Tong Institute
01.1990

Skills

  • Teaching Methodology
  • Educational Technology
  • Teacher Education
  • Online Delivery
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Teacher education
  • Educational Innovation
  • Learning Assessment
  • Second Language Acquisition
  • Effective Leadership
  • Social Integration
  • Transition Management
  • Relationship Development
  • Bilingual and Intercultural Communication

Accolades

  • 2023 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching and Learning (OCTAL) (Overall Recipient), UOW
  • 2022 Teaching Excellent Award, Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT)
  • 2021 VC's OCTAL Nomination Awards, UOW
  • 2019 VC's OCTAL Nomination Awards, UOW
  • 2018 Innovation Award, International Society of Chinese Language Teaching
  • 2017 VC's OCTAL Nomination Awards, UOW
  • 2016 VC's OCTAL Nomination Awards, UOW
  • 2014 Citation Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, Australian Office of Learning and Teaching
  • 2013 VC's OCTAL, Faculty Award, UOW
  • 2012 VC's OCTAL Nomination Awards, UOW
  • 2007-2010, Top Achiever Doctoral Scholarship awarded to the nation's brightest scholars, New Zealand Tertiary Education Commission
  • 1999 Outstanding Graduate, Peking University
  • 1998 Wusi Scholarship, Peking University
  • 1997 Excellent Student Award, Peking University

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native or Bilingual

Editorial Roles


2023     Guest Editor of Special Issue “Technology-Enhanced Chinese Language Education”, IJCLT

2022-   Editorial Board  Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities Studies Series

2022-   Editorial Board Researching and Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language

2021-   Editorial Board International Journal of Chinese Language Teaching (IJCLT)

 

Visiting Professorships

  • Yale University
  • Dalian University of Foreign Languages
  • Nanjing Normal University
  • Shanghai International Studies University
  • Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
  • Taiyuan University of Science and Technology
  • Wuhan University
  • Xi’an Jiao Tong University
  • Zhejiang Gongshang University

HDR Supervision

  • Supervised four HDR students through to completion, including joint supervision of two visiting PhD students
  • Actively supervising six PhD students, serving as the principal supervisor for five
  • Mentored six visiting scholars

Certification

  • University Teaching Qualification Certificate, China
  • External Expert and Teacher Trainer, Volunteer Chinese Language Teachers (VCLT) Training Programs, Minister of Education, China

Invited Reviewer

  • Applied Linguistics
  • Chinese as Second Language Research
  • Education Sciences
  • Foreign Language Annals
  • International Journal of Applied Linguistics
  • International Journal of Chinese Language Teaching; Language Learning
  • Language Teaching Research
  • Journal of Educational Technology and Society
  • System
  • Routledge
  • Springer
  • Peking University Press
  • Palgrave Macmillan

Courses Taught

  • Chinese as a second language subjects (Beginner to Advanced Levels)
  • Chinese culture, Comparative studies of China and Australia, Chinese literature
  • Chinese-English Translation and Interpretation
  • Research Methods in Applied Linguistics
  • Foundations of Language Pedagogy

Competitive Grants

I have successfully spearheaded over 40 teaching and research grant projects, accumulating a total of over $1 million in funding. These endeavours have revolved pioneering pedagogical approaches, cutting-edge educational technologies, and immersion studies promoting language acquisition and cross-cultural communication.


  • 2025 The Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), New Colombo Plan (NCP) Grants, Chinese Language and Culture Immersion Studies, $132, 000
  • 2024 The Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), New Colombo Plan (NCP) Grants, Language and culture immersion studies in China, $110,000
  • 2024 Special Studies Project Grant, UOW, Language Education in Australia, $3,000
  • 2023 Vice Chancellor’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness, Transformation (EDI-T) Funds (Round 2), UOW, X. Gao, H. Chen, M.-H. TSUI (UOW College Hong Kong), and V. Ramiah (UOW Dubai) Increasing cultural competencies: fostering a sense of belonging and cultural identification, $5, 000
  • 2023 Language and cultural immersion short programs in China, New Colombo Plan (NCP) Grants, Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) $46,200
  • 2023 UOW, Bupa Funding, Promoting Multilingual and Cross-Cultural Communication through UOWx Language Hangouts, $2,938
  • 2022 Vice Chancellor’s Learning and Teaching Innovation Grant, UOW, X. Gao, M. Pais Marden, J. Shen, and M. Jantos, Innovate micro-credentials in language studies to support life-long learning, $11,188
  • 2022 The Australian Government, DFAT Language, New Colombo Plan (NCP) Grants, Culture and Society Immersion Studies in China, $51,000
  • 2022 Innovation research grant, International Journal of Chinese Language Teaching, Technology-Enhanced Language Education, $1,000
  • 2022 UOW, Student Services and Amenities Funds (SSAF), Fostering Language and Cultural Exchange, Social Connections, and Community Engagement, $2,009
  • 2022 UOW Start-up Grant, SMAH, S. Downie, X. Gao, T. Kuit, and J. Shen, Technology enhanced learning environments (TEL) in higher education: A post- COVID-19 cross-discipline study on teacher and student perceptions, $10,000
  • 2019-2021 The Australian Government, DFAT, New Colombo Plan (NCP) Grants, Language and cultural immersion studies in China, $210, 000
  • 2019 UOW, University International Linkage Grant, X. Gao, EL Quah, W. Gullett, Enhancing research and teaching collaborations with Wuhan university, $14,600
  • 2019 UOW, Special Studies Project Grant, Advancing Chinese Language Education through Teaching and Research Collaborations, $5,000
  • 2019 UOW, LHA Personal Research Grant Scheme, Variations in the use of Chinese by native and non-native speakers, $2950
  • 2018- 2020 Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, Hong Kong SAR, with X. Lin, X. Gao, Interdisciplinary research on online reading and writing by Chinese language learners, $150, 00
  • 2018 UOW, Learning and Teaching Curriculum, S. Downie, X. Gao, T. Kuit, Technology Enhanced Learning Environments in Higher Education: A Cross-Discipline Study on Teacher and Student Perceptions, $2,000
  • 2018 Higher Education Funds, Chinese International Education Commission, Y. Tian & X. Gao, Theory and Practice: Case studies in Masters Degree in International Chinese Education, $10,000
  • 2018 Research Grant, Faculty of Law, Humanity and Arts (LHA), UOW, Presenting four research papers at international conferences, $2,000
  • 2016-2018 The Australian Government, DFAT, New Colombo Plan Grant, Chinese business and cultural immersion program in Shanghai, $118,800
  • 2017 Conference, Exhibition and Performance Subsidy (CEPS), LHA Faculty, UOW, Presenting a paper at the 3rd international conference on heritage language education at UCLA, $2,000
  • 2017 Faculty Challenge Grant (FCG), LHA, UOW, Visual-semantic connections, cognitive skills and multimedia learning: The acquisition of Chinese characters by second language learners, $2,000
  • 2017 Conference, Exhibition and Performance Subsidy (CEPS), LHA Faculty Presenting two papers at two International Conferences, $2,000
  • 2016 Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, The State Council of China, Y. Hao & X. Gao, Chinese Education in Australia, $12,000
  • 2016 Faculty Challenge Grant (FCG), LHA, UOW, The effect of pedagogical grammar and a flipped classroom model on the acquisition of a Chinese aspect marker, LE, $2,220
  • 2016 Faculty Education Committee (FEC), Educational Development project, UOW, Developing a website for the Mandarin Study Abroad Program, $3,000
  • 2015 UOW UIC Linkage Grant, The impact of culturally-embedded teaching on intercultural politeness, $3,000
  • 2015 UOW Staff Study Leave Research Grant, Building research connections and enhancing publications in language studies, $4,000
  • 2015 The Australian Government, Asia-Bound Grant, Semester immersion studies at Shanghai International Studies University in China, $19,500
  • 2014 Australian Office of Learning and Teaching, Teaching and Learning Grant, Culturally Embedded Language Teaching and Learning, $10,000
  • 2014 Faculty Challenge Grant, LHA, UOW, Presenting a paper at the 17th AILA World Congress, $2,850
  • 2014 The Australian Government, Asia-Bound Grant, Short-Term project at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics in China, $21,500
  • 2014 The Australian Government, Asia-Bound Grant, Semester immersion Mandarin Language Program in China, $16,500
  • 2014 CEPS, LHA Faculty, UOW, Presenting a paper at the 4th Applied Linguistic Conference on Applied Linguistics, Guangzhou, China, $1,282
  • 2013 UOW, URC Small Grant, The effects of motivation, learning strategies and learning contexts on the acquisition of Chinese as a second language, $8,000
  • 2013 UOW, Faculty of Arts Subject Development Grant, Developing Mandarin Online Learning Platforms, $5,000
  • 2013 The Australian Government, DEEWR Discovery China Grant, Mobility grant for Mandarin in-country study program at Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade in China, $21,500
  • 2013 UOW ECR priming Grant, Blogging, online social networking and Skyping in learning Chinese, $3,000
  • 2012 The Australian Government, Discovery China (DEEWR) Grant, Short-term Mandarin Program at Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade, China, $7,500

Publications

Books

  • Zhang, Y. & Gao, X. (2022). (Eds.) Frontiers of L2 Chinese Language Education: A global perspective. Routledge.
  • Gao, X. (2023) (Ed.) Special Issue on Technology-Enhanced Chinese Language Education. International Journal of Chinese Language Teaching, Issue3.
  • Gao, X. & Li, L. (In press). Fostering Creativity in Language Education: Bridging Cultural Learning Styles with Innovative Teaching Approaches, Springer nature.

Peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters

  • Gao, X. & Jiang, X. (under review) Factors influencing preservice Chinese teachers’ motivations to teach abroad, System.
  • Gao, X. (under review) Pre-service CFL teachers’ technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK): A large-scale survey. Journal of Teacher Education.
  • Deng, L., Min, R., & X. Gao (under review): Tracking metadiscourse research within academic and non-academic registers: A systematic literature review, Asia Pacific Education Review.
  • Mahmood, R. Q., Herrero de Haro, A., & Gao, X. (under review). Illustrations of the IPA: Central Kurdish, Journal of the International Phonetic Association.
  • Gao, X. & Deng, L. (Accepted) Rating scales in L2 Speech Act Research. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics.
  • Gao, X. & Xu, P. (2025). Ideal teaching materials: Perspectives from heritage and non-heritage learners of L2 Chinese, In Y. Liang & Z. Li (Eds.) Diversity and Inclusiveness in Chinese as a Second/Foreign Language Education, Routledge.
  • Gao, X. (2025). Early Days of Chinese Language Education in Australia: A brief history. Hsin, S.-c. (Ed.) Wu-nan Book Inc.
  • Gao, X. (2025). The acquisition of Chinese –de via Skype-mediated conversations, in F. Xiao (Ed.), Second Language Chinese Development: A Longitudinal Perspective. Lexington Books.
  • Gao, X. & Shi, L. (2024). Teacher-student and student-student interaction in live online classes, in J. Kinder, N. Fraschini & M. Caruso (Eds.), Enabling Learning, Language Teaching for Australian Universities (pp233-262), Australia National University Press.
  • Gao, X. & Wu, C. (2024) Chinese character learning strategies: a systematic review. Studies on International Chinese Language Education,8,148-171.
  • Gao, X., Woodcock, S., & Lu, J. (2024). Conceptualising Australian learners’ motivation for learning Chinese as a second language, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Studies,45(6),1904-1921.
  • Deng, L., Cheng, Y. & Gao, X. (2024). Engagement patterns in research article introductions: A cross-disciplinary study, System,120,103204.
  • Deng, L., Cheng, Y. & Gao, X. (2024). Promotional strategies in English and Chinese research article introduction and discussion/conclusion sections: A cross-cultural study, Journal of English for Academic Purposes,68,101344.
  • Gao, X. (2023). Innovating a micro-credential for Mandarin learning: Needs, implementations and implications. Journal of the Canadian TCSL Association. chrome-extension://feidahnbmnnibpcajpgclefldnmkaj/http://www.canadiantcslassociation.ca/PDF/2023/GaoXiaoping-Full.pdf
  • Gao & Xu (2023) Task-based Language Teaching- Case for Heritage Language Classes book chapter
  • Gao (2023) Early Days of Chinese Language Education in Australia: A brief history. Hawaii x2
  • Gao, X. (2023). Technology-Enhanced Chinese Language Education: An Overview. International Journal of Chinese Language Teaching.4 (3)1-11. https://doi.org/10.46451/ijclt.202303301.
  • Gao, X. & Shi, L. (2023). Interactions in Online Versus Face-to-face Classes: Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions. International Journal of Chinese Language Teaching.4 (3)76-93. https://doi.org/10.46451/ijclt.202303305.
  • Li, Y., Deng, L, & Gao, X. (2023). From out-group to in-group: Exercising agency for gaining membership through statement of purposes writing, System,103081.
  • Deng, L., Wang, M. & Gao, X. (2023). Predicting the variation in stance-taking: the use of evaluative-that in English as a lingua franca academic writing, Scientometrics,128,3283–3311.
  • Gao, X. (2022). Vietnamese students’ motivation for learning Mandarin in Australia. In In M. T. Van (Ed.) New concepts and ideas and innovative methods in international Chinese language teaching and learning,587-594. Vietnam National University Press.
  • Gao, X. (2022). Oral corrective feedback on Mandarin pronunciation in live online classes. In Y. Zhang & X. Gao (Eds.), Frontiers of L2 Chinese Language Education: A global perspective (pp.90-109), Routledge.
  • Zhang, Y. & Gao, X. (2022). Teaching in action: L2 Chinese pedagogical practice and reflection. In Y. Zhang & X. Gao (Eds.), Frontiers of L2 Chinese Language Education: A global perspective (pp.1-7). Routledge.
  • Zhang, Y. & Gao, X. (2022). Looking ahead: Contextualising the future of L2 Chinese pedagogy studies, In Y. Zhang & X. Gao (Eds.), Frontiers of L2 Chinese Language Education: A global perspective (pp.185-192). Routledge.
  • Downie, S. Gao, X., Bedford, S. & Bell, K. (2021). Technology Enhanced Learning Environments in Higher Education: A Cross-Discipline Study on Teacher and Student Perceptions, Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice,18.
  • Deng, L., Laghari, D & Gao, X. (2021). A genre-based exploration of intertextuality and interdiscursivity in advertorial discourse, English for Specific Purposes,62,30-42.
  • Gao, X. (2021). Implementation of task-based language teaching in Australian CFL online classes. Language Teaching and Linguistic Studies (Chinese),208 (2),7-15.
  • Gao, X. (2020). Teachers’ perceptions of effective strategies for developing intercultural competence, Global Chinese, Vol.6(2),333-385.
  • Gao, X. (2020). Australian students’ perceptions of the challenges and strategies for learning Chinese characters in emergency online teaching, International Journal of Chinese Language Teaching,1(1)83-98.
  • Gao, X. (2019). Role of Skype-mediated conversations in International Chinese Education, In Tian, S. (Eds.), International Chinese Teaching and Learning,276-28. The Commercial Press.
  • Shi, L. & Delahunty, J. & Gao, X. (2019). Constraints preventing Chinese EFL teachers from putting their stated beliefs into teaching practice, Professional Development in Education,4(45),774-789.
  • Gao, X. (2018). Input and Interaction in the Acquisition of Chinese as a Second Language, International Journal of Chinese Language Education,3,123-145.
  • Gao, X. (2017). Development of pragmatic competence: Compliment responses by L2 learners of Chinese, In Istvan Kecskes, and Chaofen Sun (Eds.) Key Issues in Chinese as a Second Language Research,237-266. Routledge.
  • Gao, X. (2017). Chinese as a Foreign Language: Cultural Components in Australian Classrooms, Chinese Language Globalization Studies,9,37-47.
  • Gao, X. (2016). Internet Literature in China: A critical review, Asian Studies Review,4(41)680-681.
  • Gao, X. (2016). Language Teaching Research & Language Pedagogy: A critical review,39(1), Australian Review of Applied Linguistics,95-98.
  • Gao, X. (2015). Teaching culture in Australian CFL classrooms, In Bayer Erhen and Jinghua Yin (Eds.) International Chinese Teaching and Chinese Culture,174-185. Inner Mongolia University Press.
  • Gao, X. (2014). Chinese second language teacher education and teacher self-development, In Cao, S. and Yu, Z. (Eds.) Chinese Language Pedagogy,77-84, Sichuan Publication Group Co.
  • Gao, X. (2014). Motivations, strategies, and challenges: Learning Mandarin in Australia, in C. Travis, J. Hajek, C. Nettelbeck, E. Beckmann, & A. Lloyd-Smith (Eds.) Practices and Policies, Current Research in Languages and Cultures Education,169-192. Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities.
  • Gao, X. (2014). Chinese language teachers and teacher training in Australia, International Chinese Education,4,166-173.
  • Gao, X. (2014). The interface of linguistic difficulty and task type on the use of the Chinese ba construction by L2 learners, Chinese as a Second Language Research,3(1),27-51.
  • Gao, X. (2013). Chinese second language teacher education and teacher self-development, In S. Cao & Z. Yu (Ed.) Chinese Language Pedagogy,77-84, Sichuan Publication Group Co.
  • Gao, X. (2012). How differently do L1 and L2 speakers think when speaking the Chinese ba construction? In W. He (Ed.) Research on Concepts and Practice of Developing Chinese Language Teaching Materials,121-128, Zhejiang University Press.
  • Gao, X. (2008). The acquisition of the Chinese ba Construction by New Zealand Learners, Research on Chinese as Second Language,4,156-166.
  • Gao, X. (2007). A review of research methods of Chinese ba construction in Second Language Acquisition, In C. Li (Ed.) Essays on Teaching Chinese to American Students,204-208, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.
  • Gao, X. (2007). The assistance of pictures in the language classroom, International Chinese Language Teaching and Learning,4,68-75.
  • Gao, X. (2001). On the internalisation of environmental costs and international business, Economists (China),9,58-59.

Selected presentations (2019-2024)

I have delivered over 100presentations, including keynotes, plenaries, and invited talks, at international and national conferences and seminars in both English and Mandarin. The most recent presentations are shown below.

  • (2024) Chinese Language Education in Australia: Past, Present and Future, Invited Talk at the School of International Education, Xi’an Jiao Tong University, 9 Dec. http://news.xjtu.edu.cn/info/1007/217071.htm (Invited talk)
  • (2024) Innovative teaching approaches in Chinese L2 Education, Invited Talk at the School of International Education, Wuhan University, 5 Dec. https://sie.whu.edu.cn/info/1651/19421.htm (Invited talk)
  • (2024) Motivations and Needs of English L1 Speakers Learning Chinese, Invited Talk at the School of Foreign Language Studies, Wuhan University, 4 Dec. https://fls.whu.edu.cn/info/1009/52871.htm (Invited talk)
  • (2024) (with Fawzah Alanazi) Exploring variation in the use of interactionalmeta-discourse markers between English L1 and L2 writers, The Eighth Biennial Colloquium of Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities, 27-29 Nov.
  • (2024) Increasing cultural competencies and fostering cultural belonging, VC’sEDI-T projects showcase series 18 Nov.
  • (2024) Empowering language education: Navigating challenges and embracing innovation in Australian Asian language studies, Empowering Asian Language Speakers Symposium, University of Queensland, 5 July. https://languages-cultures.uq.edu.au/events/EALSS2024/speakers (Keynote).
  • (2024) Research on L2 acquisition of Chinese characters: Past, present and future, The 7th International Forum on Linguistics and Chinese Education & the 4th Peking University World Chinese Seminar, Peking University, Beijing, 28-29 June.
  • (2024) Language education in Australia, Invited Talk at TsinghuaIUP Chinese Center, TsinghuaUniversity, Beijing, China, 27 June.
  • (2024) Chinese language education in Australia and innovative teaching methodologies, Invited Talk at the School of Chinese Languages and Literature, Wuhan University, China, 21 June. https://chinese.whu.edu.cn/info/1027/28351.htm
  • (2024) Innovative pedagogy and educational technology: Theory, practice, and research directions. Invited Talk at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai, China, 7 June. https://ices.sufe.edu.cn/50/62/c9646a217186/page.htm
  • (2024) Pre-service CFL teachers’ technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK): A large-scale survey, XJTLU Conference (No Fate: The Future is Not Set),Suzhou, China, 31 May- 2 June.
  • (2024) Language Education in Australia: Landscape, challenges, and solutions, Invited Talk at Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, China, 29 May. https://www.tyust.edu.cn/info/1097/10829.htm
  • (2024) Factors influencing the acquisition of the Chinese baconstruction, The 2nd Conference on Theory and Practice of Bilingualism(CTPB), Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 18-20 May.
  • (2024) Artificial Intelligence in Applied Linguistics, the 6th Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching International Conference and Exhibition, ZayedUniversity, Dubai, UAE. 1-3 Mar.
  • (2024) Translingualname usage in higher education, WATTLE Conversation Starters Inaugural Seminar, UOW in Dubai, Dubai, UAE. 29 Feb. (Keynote).
  • (2023) Technology-Enhanced Chinese Language Education. Online Seminar on Technology Innovation and Implementation in Chinese Language Education. 13 Dec. (Keynote and organizer).
  • (2023) Challenges and Expectations in Chinese as a Heritage Language Education: Perspectives from Heritage Learners, The 2023 Biennial Conference of the Chinese Studies Association of Australia, University of Sydney, 7-9 Dec.
  • (2023) Effectiveness of Corrective Feedback in L2 Chinese Online Conversations: Perspectives of Teachers and Students. The 2023 Conference of Applied Linguistics Association of Australia, University of Wollongong, 19-21 Nov. (Member of the Organising Committee)
  • (2023) The effects of language and cultural immersion in second language acquisition. The 16th International Conference on Chinese Language Pedagogy, Taiyuan, 8-10 July.
  • (2023) Pioneering Chinese Language Education in Australia. The 2nd International Conference on the History of Teaching Chinese as a Second/Foreign Language in Conjunction with the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Teaching Chinese at the University of Hawai'iat Mānoa, University of Hawaii, Honolulu. 26-28 May.
  • (2023) Micro-credentials in the teaching of Chinese as an international language. The 22nd Canadian TCSL Conference & a Joint Conference with the Greater Vancouver K-12 Teacher Association, Vancouver, 29-30 April (Plenary)
  • (2023) Innovative pedagogies and advanced educational technologies in International Chinese Education. Online lecture for Pre-departure training programs for Volunteer Teachers of International Chinese Education, Centerfor Language Education and Cooperation, Ministry of Education, China, 13 March, 17 April, and 3 July (Three sessions).
  • (2022) Localisation of teaching Materials in the Australian context. Research Seminar on the Development of Chinese Language Majors in Australian and New Zealand Universities, Monash University, 13 December.
  • (2022) Innovative pedagogies and technologies in International Chinese Education: Chinese Language & Pedagogy — Perspectives on Chinese Teaching & Learning Abroad, State conference of Victorian Chinese Language Teachers’ Association,University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 10 December. (Keynote).
  • (2022) Enhancing L2 communicative competence through interactive tasks in synchronous online classes, at the LCNAU Seventh Biennial Colloquium, University of Melbourne, 28-30 Nov.
  • (2022) Strategies and influencing factors in international talent cultivation, at the international conference on International Chinese Language Education: Discipline Establishment and Talents Training(online), Zhejiang GongshangUniversity, 17 Nov. (Keynote).
  • (2022) Enhancing Chinese character instruction in the digital age: Innovative approaches and strategies, Roundtable series on Tones and Hanzi: Pedagogy of modern Chinese language education, Australian National University, Canberra, 9 Nov. (Plenary)
  • (2022) Innovative approaches to teaching Mandarin pronunciation in the digital world, Roundtable series on Tones and Hanzi: Pedagogy of modern Chinese language education, Australian National University, Canberra, 7 Nov. (Plenary)
  • (2022) Task-based Language Teaching: Implementation and practices, the Education Forum of Chinese Language Teachers’ Association of ACT, Australian National University, Canberra, 6 November. (Keynote)
  • (2022) Engaging international students and promoting multiculturalism, showcasing seminar at the WATTLE forum based on teaching circles. University of Wollongong, 2 November. (Keynote)
  • (2022) Motivation for learning Chinese as an additional language: the case of Vietnamese students. The 13th Asia-Pacific Consortium of Teaching Chinese as an International Language, 15-16 October.
  • (2022) (with Wang, Q.) Effects of pragmatic instruction on the development of request-making competence, The 2022 Pragmatics and Language Learning Conference, (online) University of Hawai’iat Manoa, 12-14 Sep.
  • (2022) Task-based language teaching: Implementation and practice in Chinese language classrooms, Online seminar, Chinese Language Teachers Association of Greater New York and Yale University,17 July. (Invited Talk)
  • (2022) Innovative pedagogies and technologies in International Chinese Education. Online lectures, Pre-departure training programs for Volunteer Teachers of International Chinese Education, Centerfor Language Education and Cooperation, Ministry of Education, China, 9 June, 11 July, and 24 September. (Three sessions)
  • (2021) Empowering students through innovation, digitalisation, and collaboration: A global perspective, Creating Connections for Our Students: Global and Local Perspectives, State Conference of Chinese Language Teachers’ Association of South Australian, 21 August. (Keynote)
  • (2020) Challenges and solutions for learning Chinese characters in emergency online teaching, Online Seminar on International Chinese Language Education, Peking University, 20 August. (Plenary)
  • (2019) Factor influencing teachers’ beliefs: Effective strategies for intercultural language teaching, Exchanges: People, Knowledge & Cultures, the Fifth Biennial Colloquium of the Languages & Cultures Network of Australian Universities (LCNAU), 25-28 November, University of Western Australia, Perth. (Session Chair)
  • (2019) Innovative approaches to teaching Chinese as a foreign language at Innovative Language Teaching Symposium, 5-7 September, Australian National University, Canberra. (Plenary)
  • (2019) Variation in the use of the Chinese ba construction by native and non-native speakers of Mandarin, International Conference on Acquisition of Chinese: Bilingualism and Multilingualism, 1-3 July 2019, University of Cambridge, UK. (Session Chair)
  • (2019) (With S. Downie) Cross-Faculty community of practice in Technology that Enhances Learning, the Higher Education Technology Agenda (THETA) Conference, 19-22 May, University of Wollongong.
  • (2019) Chinese-Australians’ social life and political purses, 1 November, Yale University, New Haven, US. (Keynote)
  • (2019) Character learning strategies of L2 learners of Chinese, School of Foreign Languages and Literature, 14 November, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. (Invited Talk)
  • (2019) Role of corrective feedback in International Chinese Education, School of Foreign Languages and Literature, 12 November, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. (Keynote)
  • (2019) Innovative approaches and technologies in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, School of Foreign Languages and Literature, 11 November, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
  • (2019) Second Language Acquisition: Theory, Methods, and Trends, School of Foreign Languages and Literature, 10 November, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
  • (2019) Chinese as a Second Language Studies: Theory and Practice, School of Chinese Language and Literature, 7 November, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
  • (2019) Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language – Innovative approaches, No. 29 XueEr Guest Lecture Series, 26 June, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China.

Timeline

Accredited Mentor

Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) Network
01.2023 - Current

Publication Officer

LCNAU Studies Series
01.2023 - 12.2024

Member

University Education Council, UOW
07.2022 - Current

Associate Professor

Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, UOW
01.2022 - Current

Mentor

Academic Promotion, UOW
01.2022 - Current

Editorial Board member

Researching and Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language
01.2022 - Current

Chair, Principal Fellow

Wollongong Academy for Tertiary Teaching and Learning Excellence (WATTLE), UOW
07.2021 - Current

Editorial Board member

International Journal of Chinese Language Teaching
01.2021 - Current

Executive Committee Member

Languages and Cultures Networks for Australian Universities(LCNAU)
01.2020 - 12.2024

Discipline Leader

Languages and Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, UOW
01.2020 - 12.2023

Director

Academic Program for Diploma in Languages, UOW
01.2020 - 01.2023

Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies

Faculty of Law, Humanities and Arts, UOW
01.2018 - 12.2021

Academic Integrity Officer

School of Humanities and Inquiry, UOW
01.2017 - 01.2019

Accredited Peer Reviewer

Continuing Professional Development, UOW
03.2016 - Current

Assessment Panel Member

VC's Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning (OCTAL), UOW
01.2015 - Current

Lecturer in Chinese Studies

Faculty of Law, Humanities and Arts, UOW
01.2015 - 12.2017

Lecturer in Chinese Studies (Teaching Intensive)

Faculty of Arts, UOW
01.2014 - 01.2015

Associate Lecturer (Teaching Intensive)

Faculty of Arts, UOW
01.2012 - 12.2013

Lecturer

Unitec Institute of Technology
02.2011 - 11.2011

Tutor

Massey University
02.2008 - 11.2011

Tutor

The University of Auckland
02.2005 - 11.2010

Manager

Champion International Education Group
08.2001 - 09.2004

Lecturer

Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing, China
07.1999 - 08.2001

Instructor

Associated Colleges in China, Beijing, China
01.1999 - 01.2001

Instructor

Princeton in Beijing, Beijing, China
06.1998 - 06.1999

Instructor

Council on International Educational Exchange of USA
06.1997 - 08.1999

Instructor

Peking University, Beijing, China
01.1997 - 01.1999

Bachelor of Arts - undefined

Shanxi Normal University

Diploma of Accounting and Statistics - undefined

Shanxi Jiao Tong Institute
  • University Teaching Qualification Certificate, China
  • External Expert and Teacher Trainer, Volunteer Chinese Language Teachers (VCLT) Training Programs, Minister of Education, China

PhD - Teaching And Learning

The University of Auckland

Master of Management - Finance

Massey University

Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration

Massey University

Master of Arts - Teaching Chinese To Speakers of Other Languages

Peking University

Bachelor of Arts - Chinese Language And Literature

Shanxi Normal University
A/Prof Xiaoping (Sherri) Gao