Dr. Gao, Xuesong (Andy)
Personal Particulars
BA, MA, PhD
Associate Professor
Deputy Programme Leader for BA & BEd, BEd & BSc, and BEd & B SoSc programmes
Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong
First-year Experience Coordinator for BEd programmes
Associate Editor, System: An International Journal of Educational Technology and Applied Linguistics (from March 1st, 2013)
Associate Editor, The Asia Pacific Education Researcher (Springer, SSCI) (till March, 2013)
President, Hong Kong Association for Applied Linguistics
Teaching Areas
Cognitive, social and language development, Reading English as Second Language, Second Language Acquisition, Sociolinguistics
Research Interests
Higher Education, Learner autonomy, Language learning strategy, Sociolinguistics, Teacher development
Publications
Scholarly Books
Gao, X. (2010). Strategic language learning: The roles of agency and context. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Murray, G., Gao, X., & Lamb, T. (2011). Identity, motivation and autonomy in language learning. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Trent, J., Gao, X., & Gu, M. (under review). Becoming language teachers in a multilingual context. New York, Springer.
Refereed Articles and Chapters (By topic):
Higher Education
Gao, X. (2012). Working in Hong Kong. In Sun Y. & Kubota, R. (eds.) Demystifying career after graduate school: A guide for second language professionals in higher education (pp. 115-15). Charlotte, NC.: Information Age Publishing.
Gao, X. (2010).To be or not to be 'part of them': Micro-political challenges in Mainland Chinese students' learning of English in a multilingual university. TESOL Quarterly, 44(2), 274-294.
Gao, X., & Trent, J. (2009). Understanding mainland Chinese students’ motivations for choosing teacher education programmes in Hong Kong. Journal of Education for Teaching: International Research and Pedagogy, 35(2), 145-159.
Gao, X. (2008). You had to work hard ‘Cause you didn’t know whether you were going to wear shoes or straw sandals! Journal of Language, Identity and Education, 8(3), 169-187.
Gao, X., & Benson, P. (2008). Situating student approaches to learning English in a Chinese context: A re-interpretation of two tertiary vocational learners’ experiences. Asian Journal of English Language Teaching, 18, 41-66.
Gao, X. (2008). Shifting motivational discourses among mainland Chinese students in an English medium tertiary institution in Hong Kong: A longitudinal inquiry. Studies in Higher Education, 33(5), 599-614.
Gao, X., Cheng, H., & Kelly, P. (2008). Supplementing an uncertain investment? Chinese alliances for English language learning. Journal of Asia Pacific Communication, 18(1), 9-29.
Gao, X. (2007). Language learning experiences and learning strategy research: Voices of a mainland Chinese student in Hong Kong. Innovations in Language Learning and Teaching, 1(2), 193-207.
Gao, X. (2006). Interpreting Chinese students’ motives in a weekly English discussion group: A case study. Asian Journal of English Language Teaching, 16. 129-143.
Learner Autonomy and Language Learning Strategy
Gao, X. (in press). Motivated by visions: Stories from Chinese contexts. In E. Ushioda (Ed.) International perspectives in English language teaching: Motivation. Basingtoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Gao, X., Liu, H., & Zhu, F. (in press). English vocabulary learning strategy use in a Chinese key middle school. China Journal of Applied Linguistics.
Gao, X. (2012). Parental strategies in supporting Chinese children’s learning of English vocabulary. Research Papers in Education, 27(5), 581-595.
Gao, X., & Lamb, T. (2011). Exploring links between identity, motivation and autonomy. In Murray, G., Gao, X. & Lamb, T. (eds.) Identity, motivation and autonomy in language learning (pp.1-8). Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Gao, X., & L. J. Zhang (2011). Joining forces for synergy: Agency and metacognition as interrelated theoretical perspectives on learner autonomy. In Murray, G., Gao, X. & Lamb, T. (eds.) Identity, motivation and autonomy in language learning (pp.25-41). Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Gao, X. (2010). Autonomous language learning against all odds. System, 38(4), 580-590.
Benson, P., & Gao, X. (2008). Individual variation in language learning strategy. In Hurd, S. & Lewis, T. (Eds.) Language learning strategies in independent learning settings (pp. 25-40). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.
Gao, X. (2007). Has language learning strategy research come to an end? A response to Tseng et al. (2006). Applied Linguistics, 28(4), 615-620.
Gao, X. (2007). A tale of Blue Rain Café: A study on the online narrative construction about a community of English learners on the Chinese mainland. System, 35(2), 259-270.
Gao, X. (2006). Understanding changes in Chinese students’ uses of learning strategies in China and Britain: A socio-cultural re-interpretation. System, 34(1), 55-67.
Gao, X. (2006). Strategies used by Chinese parents to support English language learning: Voices of "elite" university students. RELC Journal, 34(3), 285-298.
Gao, X. (2005). A tale of two mainland Chinese English learners. Asian EFL Journal, 7(2), 4-23.
Gao, X. (2004). A critical review of questionnaire use in learner strategy research. Prospect, An Australian Journal of TESOL, 19(3), 3-14.
Gao, X. (2003). Changes in Chinese students’ learner strategy use after arrival in the UK: A qualitative enquiry. In Palfreyman, D. & Smith, R.C. (eds.) Learner autonomy across cultures: Language education perspectives (pp. 41-57). Basingtoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Review Studies
Gao, X., Liao, Y., & Liu, Y. (In press, 2014). Empirical Studies on foreign language learning and teaching in China (2008-2011): A review of selected research. Language Teaching.
Benson, P., Chik, A., Gao, X., Huang, J., & Wang, W. (2009). Qualitative research in language teaching and learning journals 1997-2006. Modern Language Journal, 93(1), 79-90.
Wang, W., & Gao, X. (2008). English language education in China: A review of selected research. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 29(5), 280-299.
Sociolinguistics
Gao, X. (2012). Cantonese is not a dialect: Chinese netizens’ defence of Cantonese as a regional lingua franca. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 33(5), 449-464.
Gao, X. (2012). The study of English as a patriotic enterprise. World Englishes, 31(3), 351-365.
Gao, X. (2011). The ‘falling’ language standards and teachers’ professional vulnerability in Hong Kong. Research Papers in Education, 26(4), 485-498.
Gao, X. (2011). The religion of learning English in English: A language educator's reading. Changing English, 18(4), 429-436.
Gao, X., Leung, P., & Trent, J. (2010). Chinese teachers’ views on the increasing use of Putonghua as a medium of instruction in Hong Kong schools. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 35(8), 79-103.
Gao, X. (2009). ‘English corner’ as an out-of-class learning activity. English Language Teaching Journal, 63(1), 60-67.
Gao, X. (2008). Forget Chinese; let us think only in English! Chinese netizens debating the best ways to learn English in China. Changing English, 15, 435-444.
Teacher Development
Gao, X., & Xu, H. (forthcoming). The dilemma of being English language teachers: Interpreting teachers' motivation to teach and professional commitment in China's hinterland regions. Language Teaching Research.
Gao, X., & Benson, P. (2012). ‘Unruly pupils’ in pre-service English language teachers’ teaching practicum experiences. Journal of Education for Teaching: International Research and Pedagogy, 38(2), 127-140.
Gao, X., & Chow, A. W.K. ( 2012) Primary school English teachers’ research engagement. English Language Teaching Journal, 66(2), 224-232.
Gao, X., Barkhuizen, G., & Chow, A. W.K. (2011). Research engagement and educational decentralization: Problematizing primary school English teachers’ research experiences in China. Educational Studies, 37(2), 207-219.
Gao, X., & Ma, Q. (2011). Vocabulary learning and teaching beliefs of pre-service and in-service teachers in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Language Awareness, 20(4), 327-342.
Gao, X., Barkhuizen, G., & Chow, A. W. K. (2011). ‘Nowadays, teachers are relatively obedient’: Understanding primary school English teachers’ conceptions of and drives for research in China. Language Teaching Research, 15(1), 61-81.
Gao, X., & Ko, P. (2009). Learning study for primary school English teachers: A case story from Hong Kong. Changing English, 16(4), 397-404.
Trent, J., & Gao, X. (2009). “At least I’m the type of teacher I want to be”: Second-career English language teachers’ identity formation in Hong Kong secondary schools. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 37(3), 253-270.
Gao, X. (2010). To be or not to be: Shifting motivations in Chinese secondary school English teachers’ career narratives. Teacher Development, 14(3), 321-334.
Gao, X. (2008). Teachers’ professional vulnerability and cultural tradition: A Chinese paradox. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24(1), 154-165.
Gao, X., Su, Z., & Hu, X. (2006). Managing vocational institutional transformation: A Chinese case. Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 11(1), 49-63.
Gao, X. (2006). Understanding Chinese students’ teacher-dependence. In Thomas Farrell (Ed.) Language Teacher Research Asia (pp.61-74). Virginia: TESOL Publications.
Working Papers, Newsletter Articles and Book Reviews:
Gao, X. (2012). Review: Primary English teaching: An introduction to language, literacy and learning, Robyn Cox (Ed.) London, SAGE, 2011, pp. xii+ 161. Teacher Development, 16(1), 141-143.
Gao, X. (2011). Review: Language Learner Autonomy: Policy, Curriculum, Classroom, Breffni O’Rourke and Lorna Carson (Eds.), Bern, Frankfurt, New York, Peter Lang, 2010, Pp. xxvi + 413. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 33(1), 97-99.
Gao, X. (2009). Review: Standards for ESL/EFL teachers of adults, TESOL. Alexandria, VA: TESOL, 2008.Ppx+187. TESOL Quarterly, 43(3), 560-562.
Gao, X. (2009). Ethical Challenges in Internet-based Research on Language Learners’ Autonomous Learning: Personal reflections. Independence, IATEFL Learner Autonomy SIG Newsletter, 46, 13-17.
Gao, X. (2006a). English corners as emerging communities of English learners from the Chinese mainland: Implications for research and pedagogy. Independence, IATEFL Learner Autonomy SIG Newsletter, Issue 39, 12-15.
Gao, X. (2006b). A realist interpretation of a Mainland Chinese student’s English-learning experiences in Hong Kong: Focus on learning strategy. Research Studies in Education, 4, 172-182.
Gao, X. & Davison, C. (2006c). Learning styles and learning strategy. TESOL RIS Newsletter.
Gao, X. (2005). Advancing a sociocultural framework in language learning strategy research. Research in Education, 3, 191-202.
Gao, X. (2004a). A qualitative inquiry into changes in Chinese students’ situated uses of learner strategies in China and Britain. Research Studies in Education, 2, 195-202.
Gao, X. (2004b). Review: Richards, K. (2003). Qualitative Inquiry in TESOL Palgrave/MacMillan; 332 pages; ISBN 1-40369-0135-X. Hong Kong Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9, 87-91.
Conference Presentations (Since 2008)
Gao, X. (Feb. 2013). Deconstructing ideological discourses in successful English learners’ narratives in People’s Republic of China. An invited talk at Educational Research: Current Issues and Trends Symposium. Manila, Philippines: College of Education, De La Salle University.
Gao, X. (Sept. 2012). Agency and autonomy: Back to basics. A Keynote paper at Independent Learning Association Conference. Wellington, NZ: Victoria University.
Gao, X. (March, 2012). Agency and strategic language learning. A paper presented at American Association for Applied Linguistics 2012 conference. Boston, USA.
Gao, X. (March, 2012). Mediated strategic language learning. A paper presented TESOL 2012 convention. Philadelphia, USA.
Gao, X. (August, 2011). The learning of English as a patriotic enterprise. A paper presented at ‘Contexts and practices in learning and using languages: Implications for research and pedagogies ‘Symposium in the 16th AILA (International Association of Applied Linguistics). Beijing, China.
Gao, X., Barkhuizen, G., & Chow, A.W.K. (August, 2011). Understanding primary school English teachers’ conceptions of and drives for research in China. A paper presented at the 16th AILA (International Association of Applied Linguistics). Beijing, China.
Gao, X. & Benson, P. (2010, Dec.). Learning to teach: Pre-service language teachers’ professional development. 2nd East Asian International Conference on Teacher Education. Hong Kong Institute of Education.
Gao, X. (2010, Nov.). Agency and metacogntion: Two worlds apart? 2nd ESP in Asia Conference. University of Nottingham Ningbo China.
Gao, X. (2010, Sept.). To be or not to be ‘part of them’: Micropolitical challenges in mainland Chinese students’ strategic language learning in an English medium university. British Educational Research Association Annual Conference. University of Warwick, UK.
Gao, X. (2010, April). Autonomy at all costs: A tale of a disabled learner. 44th Annual International IATEFL Conference. Harrogate, UK.
Gao, X. (2010, April). Shifting motivations in Chinese secondary school teachers’ career narratives. English Language Centre 2010 Conference. Shantou University, Shantou, China.
Gao, X. (2009, December). Getting published: Multiple voices. Invited panel discussion at 3rd Research Forum, Hong Kong Association for Applied Linguistics. Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Gao, X. (2008, December). Forget Chinese; let us think only in English! Chinese netizens debating the best ways to learn English in China. A paper presented at 13th English in Southeast Asia Conference. National Institute of Education, Singapore.
Gao, X. (2008, August). A realist perspective on autonomy, agency and identity. A paper presented at Autonomy Research Network Symposium in the 15th AILA (International Association of Applied Linguistics). Essen, Germany.
Gao, X. (2008, July). Ethical challenges in Internet-based applied linguistics research. A paper presented at Australian Association of Applied Linguistics Annual Conference. Sydney: University of Sydney.
Gao, X. (2008, June). Beyond language learning strategies: What do mainland Chinese undergraduates’ language learning experiences within an English medium university in Hong Kong tell us? A paper presented at Featured Colloquium on ‘Learners’ Experiences’ in an International Conference on Language Issues in English Medium Universities: A Global Concern. Hong Kong: the University of Hong Kong.
Gao, X. (2008, June). Beyond language learning strategies: What should Chinese undergraduates do to learn English within an English medium university in a multilingual context. A paper presented at Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics Annual Conference. Vancouver: University of British Columbia.
Research Projects
2012-2013
Linguistic and sociocultural challenges for mainland Chinese undergraduates in their final year of studies
2010-2011
A comparative survey of methodology trends in leading Chinese and international journals in the field of language teaching and learning
2000-2009
Principal Investigator, funded by Internal Research Grant, Hong Kong Institute of Education
2010-2011
Strategy-enhanced language learning and teaching in primary schools. Principal Investigator, funded by Internal Research Grant, Hong Kong Institute of Education
2009-2010
Support student teachers’ self-directed learning in field experience. Principal Investigator, funded by Teaching Development Grants, Faculty of Language, Hong Kong Institute of Education
2008-2009
An Inquiry into Boundary-crossing Teacher Trainee. Co-investigator, funded by Research Centre into Language Education and Acquisition in Multilingual Societies (RCLEAMS), Hong Kong Institute of Education
2008-2009
Understanding English language teachers’ experiences in Yi Chang, China: a narrative inquiry. Principal Investigator, funded by Departmental Research Fund, Department of English, Hong Kong Institute of Education
2008-2009
A comparative study of Guangdong and Hong Kong primary school ELT teachers’ engagement with research. Co-Investigator, funded by Departmental Research Fund, Department of English, Hong Kong Institute of Education
2008-2009
Language teachers’ professional development: A comparative biographical narrative study. Principal Investigator, funded by Internal Research Grant, Hong Kong Institute of Education
Doctoral Students
Mr CHENG Chung Hang (Doctor of Education, primary supervisor, ongoing)
Mr LEE Ho Cheung (Doctor of Education, primary supervisor, ongoing)
Ms Champa C Raichandani Detaramani (Doctor of Education, co-supervisor, ongoing)
Ms Amaly HO (PhD, Primary supervisor, ongoing)
Mr. THAPA, Chura Bahadur (PhD, primary supervisor, ongoing)
Ms YAN Xin (PhD, co-supervisor, ongoing)
Ms WANG Yusu (PhD, Co-supervisor, ongoing)
Professional / Community Services
(2007- 2012) Treasurer, Hong Kong Association for Applied Linguistics
(2010-Present) Treasurer, Hong Kong University Education Faculty Research Degrees Alumni Association
(2010 - Present) Member of Editorial and Advisory Board, TESOL Quarterly
Doctoral examiner: Griffith University Australia
Regular manuscript reviewer for Journal of Asia TEFL, Linguistics and Education, Studies in Higher Education, System and Teacher Development
Occasional manuscript reviewer for Asia Journal of English Language Teaching, Asia Pacific Journal of Education, Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, Chinese Journal of Communication, European journal of Educational Psychology, Hong Kong Journal of Applied Linguistics, Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education: An International Journal, Educational Research, International Journal of Educational Review, Journal of Education for Teaching, Journal of Pragmatics, Journal of Teacher Education Language Awareness, Language, Culture and Curriculum, Language Teaching, Language Teaching Research, Modern Language Journal, Reading in a Foreign Language and World Englishes
Project consultant for National Association of Foreign Language Education (Beijing, China)
Contacts
Email: xsgao@hku.hkTel: (852) 2857 8239
Room 408D Hui Oi Chow Science Building, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong