Do you want to study your PhD in Multilingual Language Education with me at the Ohio State University? Check out our PhD in MLE webpage. Email me at sayer.32 [at] osu.edu and we can talk about the program and research opportunities. There are funding opportunities through graduate assistantships and fellowships at OSU, scholarships like CONACYT (Mexico), LPDP (Indonesia), and Fulbright (many countries).
Current Students:
Sheila Ameri
Sheila Ameri is a doctoral student in Foreign, Second, Multilingual Language Education (FSMLE). She received her MA TESOL from The New School and a BA in English and Music Management from Georgia State University. With over a decade as an English language teaching professional, she has taught English on three continents with the bulk of her tenure at King Faisal University in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. Her recent editorial experience includes positions on the Editorial Board of Plot(s) Journal of Design Studies, at Pearson ELT, and currently as an Editorial Assistant for TESOL Journal. As a bicultural applied linguist, Sheila’s research aspirations include shifting dominant paradigms for transnational and diasporic realities in language education and improving textbook representation of Southwest Asian and North African learners.
Zeynep Arslan
Zeynep Arslan Ozkaynak is a doctoral student in Multilingual Language Education and a graduate research associate at Crane Center at the Ohio State University. She holds a master’s in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Bilkent University and a Bachelor’s in English Language Teaching from Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. She is also a recipient of the Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (DELTA) from Cambridge University. Before starting her doctoral program, she taught academic English at the college level in Turkey for six years. In the United States, she taught ESL classes at CSCC and Capital University for over a year. Her areas of research interest include language teacher education, World Englishes, and multilingual language education.
Susan Ataei
Susan Ataei is a doctoral student in Language, Education, & Society (LES). She received her BA in English Language and Literature and her MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, both from University of Tabriz, Iran. During her master’s studies, she taught English as a Foreign Language to speakers of Azerbaijani and Farsi in Iran. She is currently a university supervisor and works with teacher-interns. Her current research interests include heritage language education, multilingualism, language ideologies, and socialization in early childhood classrooms. She is also conducting research on International Teaching Assistants’ linguistic challenges teaching in an American university and undergraduate students’ perceptions of International Teaching Assistants’ English accents.
Derek Braun
Derek is a doctoral student in Foreign, Second, and Multilingual Language Education (FSMLE). He received his M.Ed. in STEM Education from The Ohio State University along with a TESOL Endorsement. He currently teaches English Learner Science classes with Columbus City Schools. Derek’s research interests include language ideology, multi-bilingual education, translanguaging, and STEM education.
Rudi Hartono
Rudi Hartono is a doctoral student in Multilingual Language Education (MLE). He received his MA in TESOL from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a BA in English language teaching from Sriwijaya University, Indonesia. He works as a faculty member at Universitas Indo Global Mandiri, Indonesia. His research interests include language ideologies, World Englishes, English as international language, English as a Lingua Franca, and Global Englishes. His PhD studies are supported by the LPDP Fellowship (Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education).
Se Hyun Kim
Se Hyun Kim is a Ph.D. student in Foreign, Second, and Multilingual Language Education (FSMLE). She attended Sookmyung Women’s University in South Korea for undergraduate study in English Literature and Communications. She received her MA in TESOL from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, South Korea. Her current research interests include translanguaging as a pedagogical approach, how to best scaffold Korean EFL learners in their literacy skills in sheltered classroom settings, and social inequity in English education in EFL contexts. She is also interested in bilingual education for returnees.
Pitcha Inthiti
Piangpitcha Inthiti is a doctoral student in Multilingual Language Education (MLE). She obtained her Master’s in Applied Linguistics for TESOL from Northumbria University, United Kingdom. With over a decade of invaluable experience in teaching English as a foreign language in Thailand, Piangpitcha holds a profound interest in exploring the intricate realms of language teachers’ identity and raciolinguistic ideology. Her research endeavors center around unraveling the multifaceted dimensions of how language educators construct their professional identities within diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. She is driven by a deep curiosity to investigate the intersectionality of race, language, and pedagogy, seeking to understand how raciolinguistic ideologies influence language educators’ perceptions, interactions, and instructional practices, especially in Asian contexts.
Xinyue Lu
Xinyue Lu is a doctoral student in Foreign, Second, Multilingual Language Education (FSMLE) program. She received her BA in English, and a MS in TESOL. She also holds a certificate in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TSCOL). Her academic and research interests include bilingual and world language education, sociolinguistics, and academic language socialization.
Onur Ozkaynak
Onur is a doctoral student in Multilingual Language Education (MLE). He received his M.A. in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, and his B.A. in English Language Teaching (ELT) from Gazi University in Ankara, Turkey. He is also a holder of the Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (DELTA) from Cambridge University. Before joining the program, he taught English as a foreign language (EFL) at the college level in Turkey for eight years. His research interests include language teacher education, translanguaging practices of emergent bilinguals, and multilingual education.
Andy Seibert
Andrew Douglas Seibert is a Ph.D. student in Foreign, Second, and Multilingual Language Education (FSMLE). He attended Wright State University for undergraduate study in English and French Literature and Linguistics and Southern Illinois University for graduate study in Applied Linguistics and TESOL. His current research focus employs education-based ethnography and discourse analysis of adult (18+) language learning and academic socialization. He also is interested in scholarly discussions and research about qualitative methodology in Applied Linguistics research.
Marnie Sumarni
Laurentia Sumarni is a PhD student with Fulbright fellowship in Foreign, Second, and Multilingual Language Education (FSMLE) from Indonesia. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in English language education from Sanata Dharma University, Indonesia and master’s degree in Translation Studies from the Australian National University. She has taught English to pre-service teachers for 20 years. She currently works under the supervision of Dr. Peter Sayer and her research interests include translanguaging practices in multilingual classrooms, language teacher agency in micro-level language policy, and classroom discourse analysis.
Former Students:
Dr. Jiyu Min is an instructor at Korea Aerospace University. Her (2022) dissertation ‘Cross-Contextual Transitions and Communication Practices of International Employees in a Multicultural Workplace’ examined communication and learning experiences of international employees in the US and their sociocultural transitions facilitated through their engagement in the workplace communication and learning. Jiyu Min received her BA in English and MA in English Education, and her research interests include English for Specific Purposes, academic and workplace language socialization, sociocultural transitions, and intercultural communication.
Dr. Laila Aghai is an Assistant Professor of Teaching & Leadership at the University of North Dakota. She earned her PhD in Culture, Literacy and Language in 2016 and her master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is currently serving as the director of the Indigenous Language Education program. Her research is focused on translanguaging, applied linguistics, second language acquisition, ELL teacher education, bi/multilingual education, multicultural education, and language ideologies.
Dr. Virak Chan is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Literacy & Language at Purdue University. Dr. Chan is a native of Cambodia and he leads a summer study abroad program to Cambodia every year. He earned his PhD in Culture, Literacy & Language from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2016. His research area focuses on language and education policies and practices for linguistically and culturally diverse students. Dr. Chan is also researching teacher education, linguistic landscape, teaching writing and curriculum development.
Dr. Ashley Ying Li is an Assistant Professor of L2 pedagogy at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, California. She is on the Board of Directors of the Chinese Language Teachers Association of California. She earned her PhD in Culture, Literacy & Language from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2016. Her main research interest is in L2 Chinese pedagogy in US-based programs.
Dr. I-Chun Anna Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Institute of Sinophone Studies at the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. She earned her PhD in Culture, Literacy & Language from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2012. Her research interests are in language teacher education, L2 Chinese pedagogy, and computer-mediated language learning.
Dr. Mirta Maldonado is an Assistant Professor of English at California State University, Stanislaus. She earned her PhD in Culture, Literacy & Language from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2015. Her research interests include bilingual language policy in Puerto Rico and linguistic landscape.
Dr. Vanessa Mari is an Assistant Professor of TESL in the School of Education at Nevada State University. She earned her PhD in Culture, Literacy & Language from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2017. Her research interests are in ESL teacher motivation, attitudes, and translanguaging.
Dr. Mario Martínez García did his PhD in Language, Education & Society (LES) master’s degree in ESOL/Bilingual Education at Western Oregon University. He is a licensed bilingual teacher, and taught elementary in Oregon, as well as English in Oaxaca. As part of his dissertation project, he taught teacher education courses on transnational students at the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca. He currently teaches high school Spanish as a heritage language in Denver Public Schools (Colorado, USA).
Dr. Emre Pshigusa completed his PhD in Foreign, Second, and Multilingual Language Education (FSMLE) in 2023. His doctoral dissertation focused on language education policy and the implementation of the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy. Besides his dissertation research, Emre is active in Circassian language maintenance, and was the recipient of the 2022 AAAL Indigenous Scholar Award and the 2023 Ohio State College of Education Graduate Student Leadership Award. His is currently works for the American Department of State as an English Language Fellow in Budapest, Hungary.
Dr. Carolina Ramos is a tenured Instructor in the English and Communication Department at Laredo Community College. She earned her PhD in Culture, Literacy & Language from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2015. Her research interests are sociolinguistics, bilingualism, and how language mixing is mediated by social class.
Dr. Jennifer Swoyer is an Assistant Professor in Practice in the College of Education & Human Development at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She earned her PhD in Culture, Literacy & Language from UTSA in 2012. Her research interests include access and quality of community-based adult ESL programs, and teacher preparation in ESL licensure programs.