WLS faculty

Hi! 你好! ¡Hola! My name is Zhenjie Weng, and I’m a language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I also teach  EAP 102A and EAP 102B at DKU. I speak both Chinese and English fluently. I am here to support your English language learning and writing. I am particularly interested in how culture influences language learning, developing students’ pronunciation and developing students’ reading skills. I look forward to working with you and to helping you meet your language learning goals.

Hi! 你好! ¡Hola! My name is Shi Yongming, and I’m a language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I also teach EAP 101 and EAP 102 at DKU. I’m from China but have been living, studying and working in various places, including Australia, Hong Kong and Japan. My first language is Mandarin and I also speak English and Japanese. I am here to support your English language learning and writing. I am particularly interested in how culture influences language learning, developing students’ pronunciation, and developing students’ reading skills. I look forward to working with you and to helping you meet your language learning goals.

Hi! 你好! ¡Hola! My name is Yanan Zhao, and I’m a language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I also teach undergraduate EAP courses at DKU. My first language is Mandarin. I’m originally from Beijing but have lived in the United States for many years. I recently joined DKU. My research interests focus on second language writing and the literacy development of multilingual students in diverse social contexts.Prior to joining Duke Kunshan, I served as a Lecturer at the University of California, Irvine, where I taught academic English to multilingual students. With an extensive background as a transnational educator spanning various institutions, I am here to support your English language learning and writing!!

Hi! 你好！Hola! My name is Yachao Sun, and I’m a language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I also teach WOC 211 (Developing a research proposal) and WOC 212 (Developing a research paper) at DKU. My first language is Mandarin and I also speak English and very basic Japanese. I am here to support your English language learning and writing. I am particularly interested in how different language and cultural resources influence language learning and students’ writing skill development. I look forward to working with you and to helping you meet your language-learning goals.

Dr. Xueyu Zhao is a senior lecturer of Language and Culture Center at Duke Kunshan University. Her research focuses on international test comparisons, test adaptations and translations, and cultural and linguistic issues in international large-scale assessments. Her research addresses the testing of linguistically diverse populations beyond the United States and Latin America. Her research intends to provide translation reviewers the analytical tools they can use in the process of examining translation errors, and to create translation review procedures that are sensitive to local cultures.

Hi! 你好! ! My name is Zhang Xin, and I’m a language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I also teach Chinese as a Second Language courses at DKU and my research areas includes applied linguistics, language pedagogy and intercultural communication. I’m from Dalian, China. Before joining DKU in 2019 I lived in the States for 9 years while pursuing my graduate degree. My first language is Mandarin and I also speak English, Japanese and a little bit Shanghainese. I am here to support your Mandarin and Japanese language learning, writing and communication skills. I am particularly interested in how culture influences language learning, and helping multilingual learners/speakers develop intercultural communication competence, negotiate identities and socialize into workplaces and educational contexts in the target culture. I look forward to working with you and to helping you. My Office is CC1056. 

Hi! 你好! ¡Hola! My name is Wendy Li, and I’m a language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I am from Jiangxi, China, and have earned my Master’s and Ph.D. degrees overseas. I speak English and Mandarin. I can also provide Mandarin tutoring to those who need it. I am here to support your English language learning and writing. I am particularly interested in how social and cultural factors influence language learning. I look forward to working with you and to helping you meet your language learning goals. 

Hi! Greetings! DKUers, I’m Dr. ZHANG Tao. I’m a teacher and scholar in Communication Studies serving the DKU LCC community. I teach Public Speaking (WOC218) and Intercultural Communication (WOC108) at DKU. My first language is Mandarin Chinese, and my second is English. I got my education from both Chinese and U.S. universities. I coach students who need to improve their academic writing skills, reasoning, structuring, etc. You’re also very welcome to practice your oral Chinese with me. I’m looking forward to meeting with you in person shortly!

Hi! Guten Tag! Konnichiwa! Anyonghaseiyo! My name is Peter Wergin, and I’m a language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I am currently teaching EAP courses at DKU. I’m from Canada and have been living in China for the past four years. I have also lived in Japan and Korea. My first language is English. I grew up in a German home and might be able to help some of you who are in the very beginning stages of studying German (simple reading, vocabulary, and basic conversation). I am particularly interested in helping learners to become risk-takers, develop their own unique strategies that enable autonomous learning, and become empowered over time through their individual actions as they aim for success. I am here to support you in improving your English language learning and writing.  I look forward to working with you in achieving your language learning goals. 

Hi! 你好! My name is Li Xu, and I’m a Chinese language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I also teach Chinese classes for the undergraduate program at DKU. My first language is Chinese and I also speak English. I am here to support your Chinese language learning at all levels. I look forward to working with you and helping you meet your language learning goals.

Hi! My name is Lee Shelmerdine, and I’m a language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I also teach English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at DKU. I’m from the UK, but I have lived in China for many years. I am here to support your English language learning and writing. I am particularly interested in coaching academic writing, but I have a lot of experience in all areas of language teaching. I look forward to working with you and to helping you meet your language learning goals.

Hi! My name is Layla, and I’m a writing and language learning coach in the Writing and Language Studio. I also teach graduate academic communication skills at DKU. I’m from the United States but have been living in China for 10 years. My first language is English and I also speak some Mandarin. I am here to support your English language learning and writing. I am particularly interested in graduate degree-specific writing and developing students’ ability to give peer feedback. I look forward to working with you and to helping you meet your language learning goals.