Dr Isobel Kai-Hui Wang

Programme Director: MSc TESOL / Lecturer in Language Education

Biography

Background

My research and teaching expertise lie in the areas of language learner strategies, second language vocabulary learning and teaching, intercultural communication, and language learner and teacher psychology.

I joined the University of Edinburgh in August 2021, where I am currently Programme Director for the MSc TESOL. I lead the core course TESOL Methodology, which was nominated as an “Outstanding Course” in the EUSA Teaching Awards (2024–2025). I also teach on a range of other courses, including Investigating Individual Learner Differences, and supervise doctoral students. Since joining the University, I have been nominated annually as “Teacher of the Year” and was shortlisted as “Supervisor of the Year” in 2024–2025.

Prior to my current role, I was a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Graz (Austria), where I also contributed to teacher training. I previously lectured in Applied Linguistics at Nankai University (China) and have extensive experience teaching English as a foreign and second language in China and Canada.

My research focuses on language learner strategies, particularly in relation to vocabulary development and strategy instruction. My monograph, Learning Vocabulary Strategically in a Study Abroad Context (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018), offers a detailed analysis of how learners adapt and apply vocabulary strategies in study-abroad contexts. Since 2014, I have collaborated with Professor Andrew Cohen (University of Minnesota) on a series of projects examining the functions of language learner strategies as well as language learners’ engagement in vocabulary strategy instruction.

My current work investigates language learning strategy instruction from the teacher’s perspective, with a recent project, supported by the Springboard Fund, exploring Argentine secondary teachers’ beliefs and experiences in implementing vocabulary strategy instruction. I also maintain active research interests in the psychological dimensions of language learning and teaching, especially learner engagement, self-regulation, and teacher wellbeing.

In addition, I have collaborated on an Erasmus+ funded project on integrating global citizenship and plurilingual pedagogies, working with colleagues at the University of Graz and partners across the UK, Netherlands, Italy, and Germany.

I am regularly invited to give talks and lead professional development webinars on language learning strategy instruction. I also serve as a reviewer for book proposals with Routledge and Springer and for journals such as System, Language and Intercultural Communication, and Teaching and Teacher Education.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D in Applied Linguistics (2010-2013), University of Warwick.
  • MA in English Language Teaching with Distinction (2009-2010), University of Warwick.
  • BA in History, Heritage and Education (2006-2009), University of Birmingham.

Responsibilities & affiliations

  • Member of The Postgraduate Studies Committee

Postgraduate teaching

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Areas of interest for supervision

Topics of interest: vocabulary learning strategies, language learner strategies, language learning strategy instruction, vocabulary learning and teaching. 

Current PhD students supervised

Yurou Wei: Using storytelling for EFL learners to develop writing skills

Huixin Wang: L2 teacher motivation & direct motivational currents.

Siyan Chen: Vocabulary learning strategies & emotions 

Clark Wang: Metacognitive strategies for learning and using vocabulary

Research summary

  • Language learner strategies

  • Second language vocabulary learning and teaching

  • Intercultural adjustment

  • Study abroad

  • Learner engagement

  • Teacher wellbeing

  • ELT materials adaptation 

Current research interests

I am currently exploring a) learner engagement in vocabulary strategy instruction for academic writing and b) teachers' experiences of implementing language strategy instruction

Past research interests

language teachers' professional wellbeing

Project activity

Erasmus+ , 2020. Project title: The Global Citizenship and Multilingual Competences (GCMC) toolkit (€364k) - Project partner 

Current research projects

  • Self-access strategy instruction for vocabulary learning
  • EFL Teachers’ actions regarding coursebook use 

Current project grants

RKEI Innovation Fund, 2023. Project title: Strategy Instruction from the Providers’ and the Recipients’ Perspective (£3,203) - Principal investigator

Springboard Fund, 2025. Exploring English Language Teachers' Perspectives and Practices in Strategy-based Instruction (£333.95) - Principal investigator

Conference details

Enhancing vocabulary comprehension through vocabulary strategy instruction: A micro-level analysis of reciprocal learning dynamics | Paper presentation | AAAL conference | 22-25 March, 2025

Fine-tuning the use of verbal report in research on language learner strategies (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) | Paper presentation| 5th Conference on the Situating Strategy Use | 4-6 September, 2024

Tangible insights from current and future research in the strategizing of language learners and users; Meta-reflections on the development of the field (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) | A Symposium for the 4th Conference on the Situating Strategy Use: Strategic Learning in an Uncertain World | 23-24 November, 2022

Strategizing – Investigating the Dynamic Use of Strategies (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) |  A Symposium for the 4th Conference on the Psychology of Language Learning  | 23-25 June 2022

How strategies actually combine in the performance of language tasks (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) |  A Symposium for the AILA virtual conference  | 15-21 August, 2021

How learners actually process strategy instruction (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) | Poster presentation| AAAL virtual conference | 20-23 March, 2021

Training teachers for global citizenship education and plurilingual pedagogies: Teacher educators' insights (together with Prof. Sarah Mercer, Sonja Babic, and Johanna Gruber) | Presentation  | Multilingualism on My Mind | University of Bergen| 18-19 March, 2021

Fine-tuning word meanings through online and mobile app technologies (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) | Presentation | 3rd SSU conference |Osaka, Japan | 14 October, 2019

Research by teachers for teachers | Workshop| Doctoral School | Strobl, Austria | 09 June, 2019

Fluctuation in the functions of vocabulary strategies (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) | Presentation | AAAL conference |Chicago | 24-27 March, 2018

International Chinese students’ cross-cultural experiences in UK higher education

Presentation | 15th IALIC Conference | University of Peking, China |28 December, 2015

Dialogic strategy clusters for vocabulary learning

Presentation | SSU conference | Alpen-Adria University, Austria | 16 October, 2015

Invited speaker

Tangible insights from current and future research in the strategizing of language learners and users; Meta-reflections on the development of the field (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) | A Symposium for the 4th Conference on the Situating Strategy Use: Strategic Learning in an Uncertain World | 23-24 November, 2022

Strategizing – Investigating the Dynamic Use of Strategies (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) |  A Symposium for the 4th Conference on the Psychology of Language Learning  | 23-25 June 2022

How strategies actually combine in the performance of language tasks (together with Prof. Andrew Cohen) |  A Symposium for the AILA virtual conference  | 15-21 August, 2021

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