Seminar: Ways forward in classroom research: Topics, methods, tips & tricks

Ways forward in classroom research: Topics, methods, tips & tricks

Professor Rita Elaine Silver
Emeritus Associate Professor
National Institute of Education

Nanyang Technological University

February 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
14:30 - 15:30

Room 401-402, Meng Wah Complex, HKU

Chair: Professor Kevin Tai

Abstract:

Classroom research has been a fundamental part of language education research since the 1970's. It is an area which draws on scholarship in education, teacher professional learning, and language as well as policy linked to each of these. In this talk, I will briefly recap some of the main areas of classroom research (e.g., classroom interaction, classroom practices, student outcomes, teacher beliefs, policy enactment) and what is 'known'. I will then discuss some areas which need further investigation (e.g. changing classroom practices, supporting student engagement for learning, understanding classroom ecologies) to continue to develop our scholarly knowledge and improve education. At the same time, I will address some commonly used and newer methodologies which might support classroom research. I will close with a few practice tips and tricks for those who are engaging in classroom research or hope to do so.
 

About the speaker:

Rita Elaine Silver is an Emeritus Associate Professor at National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research interests are in classroom language learning, literacy, and discourse; linguistic landscapes and multilingualism; research ethics and open science for applied linguistics. She is Co-Editor of Language and Education and was previously a Co-editor of Pedagogies: An International Journal (2013-2015). She serves on the Editorial Board for Language Policy, Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education (JICB), and Educational Linguistics and is on the Editorial Review Board for Australian Journal of Language and Literacy and for Research Synthesis in Applied Linguistics. She has published widely in journal such as Research Methods in Applied Linguistics; Journal of Multilingualism and Multilingual Development; International Journal of Multilingualism; Language Awareness; Journal of Language, Identity & Education; Journal of Teacher Education; RELC Journal.

All are welcome