Chiu-ching Tseng

Chiu-ching Tseng

Chiu-ching Tseng

Adjunct Faculty

Japanese Studies: Phonetics, Phonology, Second Language Acquisition, Object-Oriented Language Teaching/Learning (O2TL)

Chiu-ching Tseng (a.k.a. Ken) earned his Ph.D. in Theoretical Linguistics from George Mason University, following two Master’s degrees in Linguistics and Foreign Language Education (TESOL track).

Ken began his teaching career in Tokyo in 2010 and has since taught a wide range of subjects, including English, Japanese, Chinese, Asuan Studies, Computer Programming & NLP, General Linguistics, Phonetics/Phonology, Morphology, and Syntax. His primary research interests are Phonetics, Phonology, and Second Language Acquisition (SLA), particularly the Contrastive Learning (CL) and RePlacement Grammar (RPG) approaches.

His latest focus is Object-Oriented Language Teaching (O2LT), which proposes an analytical teaching approach for the L2 classroom. This framework aligns with Skill Acquisition Theory and utilizes Task-Based (TBLT) teaching techniques, employing theoretically-based methods to target particular linguistic learning objectives. Ultimately, he is dedicated to developing students' independent and analytical language learning skills.

Current Research

  1. Object-Oriented language Teaching/Learning (O2TL): acquisition of Japanese unrounded high-back vowel by L1-English/L2-Japanese speakers

Selected Publications

  • Perceptual comparison of word boundary segmental cues: Aspiration vs. Glottal stop Taiwan
    Journal of Linguistics volume 43.[SSCI] Vol. 21.1, 00-00, 2023 DOI: 10.6519/TJL.202301 21(1).0001
  • A Comparison of Lexical Tone Effects on VOT in L1 and Three Groups of L2 Speaker of Mandarin
    Chinese. In Proc. ISAPh 2022, 4th International Symposium on Applied Phonetics (pp. 46-51).
  • The effect of lexical tones on Voice Onset Time in L2 Mandarin production by English speakers,
    DOI: 10.21437/ISAPh.2018-22
  • An investigation of Voice Onset Time and the factors that affect it in L1 and L2 Mandarin (Ph.D.
    dissertation, ProQuest Database)

Courses Taught

English & Linguistics

  • Introduction to Linguistics
  • Phonetics I and II
  • Phonology I and II
  • Syntax I and II
  • Morphology I and II
  • The History of English
  • Applied Linguistics and TESOL theories
  • Computer-Assisted Language Learning/Teaching
  • Natural Language Processing and Python Programming
  • TESOL Practicum
  • Seminar: Master’s Thesis (Use Picture books to motivate Taiwanese pre-kindergarten children for learning English)
  • Applied English Phonology
  • Oral Presentation skills 
  • Foundational English
  • Academic English level 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 
  • Asian Studies – Northeast Asian Countries & Cultures (Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan)
  • Introduction to Japanese Pop Culture
  • Introduction to a Brief History of Japanese Civilization

Japanese

  • Japanese Language level 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Taught in Japanese at ECU and FIU)
  • Asynchronous Fully-online courses of Japanese level 1,2, 3 (FIU)
  • Study Aboard Program – Japanese Society, Education system, & Calligraph (Taught in English) at Asian Pacific University, Oita Beppu

Chinese Mandarin

  • Chinese Mandarin beginner, Intermediate, and advanced levels
  •  Chinese cultural immersion

Education

  • George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA 2016-2021
    PhD in Theoretical Linguistics (honors nominated) received May 2021
    Teaching Assistantship Awarded (four years) (2016 - 2020)
    Served as the secretary of Linguistics club (2016-2019)
  • Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA 2014-2016
    Master of Arts in Linguistics; GPA:3.630 received Dec 2015
  • Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA 2012-2014
    Master of Science in Foreign Language Education; GPA:3.780 received Aug 2014
    degree awarded with NCATE accredited TESOL track
  • Queens College - City University of New York, NY, USA 2002-2012
    Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science received Sept 2012
    LaGuardia Community College - CUNY, NY, USA 1998-2000
  • Associate in Science in Computer Science received Dec 2000
  • Shin Min High School - Taichung, Taiwan 1987-1990
    High School diploma (Electrical engineering) received Jul 1990
    Experience of Studying Oversea
  • YMCA Tokyo Japanese Language School - Tokyo, Japan 2010-2011
    JLPT N1 and N2 certificates, received Jan 2011
  • TOHO Japanese Language School - Tokyo, Japan 1991-1993

Recent Presentations

  • TALGS 2024 – the 23rd Annual TALGS Conference on TESOL & Applied Phonetics, East Carolina
    University, USA (Feb 10 2024)
  • ISAPh 2022 – 4th International Symposium on Applied Phonetics, University of Lund, Sweden
    (September 14-16 2022)
  • The 14th English Linguistic Society of Japan (ELSJ) International Spring Forum to be held on
    (May 8-9, 2021)
  • HICELLS2020 – the Hawaii International Conference on English Language Studies, University of
    Hawaii at Hilo, USA (March 13-14. 2020)
  • New Sounds 2019 – the 9th International Symposium on the Acquisition of Second Language
    Speech, Waseda University, Japan (August 30- September 1, 2019)
  • ETRA 2019 – the 36th International Conference on English Teaching and Learning, Tunghai University,
    Taiwan (May 17-18, 2019)
  • ISAPh 2018 – 2nd International Symposium on Applied Phonetics, University of Aizu, Japan
    (September 2018)
  • The 31st Paris Meeting of East Asian Languages – INALCO, France (June 28-29, 2018)
  • AICED – the 20th Annual International Conference of English Department, University of Bucharest,
    Romania (June 7-9, 2018)
  • UNC 2018 – University of North Carolina Spring Linguistics Colloquium, USA (April 7, 2018)