Speaker: Young Suk Kim, Professor, School of Education, University of California, Irvine; Associate Editor, Journal of Educational Psychology; Recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Sponsor: Tsinghua University Overseas Experts Invitation Initiative Program (C2017166)

Talk 1: Dyslexia Across Languages: Causes and Intervention

Abstract: Have you heard of or do you know of someone with dyslexia? Dyslexia is recognized in many countries and yet there are still debates about causes and variation in manifestations in different languages, and identification of individuals with dyslexia. This talk will address the following questions based on empirical studies: What is dyslexia? What causes dyslexia? How is dyslexia manifested? What do we know about interventions?

Time: Sep. 26, 2017 (Tuesday), 11:30-13:00

Place: Wennan Building 116, Tsinghua University (清华大学文南楼116会议室)

Host: Qian Guo, Associate Professor, Applied Linguistics and Language Education, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Tsinghua University

Talk 2: Fundamentals in Education and Social Science Research (as a guest lecture for the course Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs in Language Education Research)

Time: Sep. 28, 2017 (Thursday), 8:00-9:35

Place: No. 6 Teaching Building B204, Tsinghua University (清华大学六教B204)

Host: Qian Guo, Associate Professor, Applied Linguistics and Language Education, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Tsinghua University

Talk 3: Foundation of Learning: Development and Instruction of Reading Skills

Abstract: Reading is a foundational skill for academic achievement and for success in work places. Reading, however, does not develop naturally, and instead, involves complex processes and development of numerous skills. In this talk, I will go over cutting-edge evidence on factors that contribute to reading development, and instructional approaches to promoting reading development, based on empirical studies from various languages.

Time: Sep. 28, 2017 (Thursday), 15:00-16:30

Place: Wennan Building 116, Tsinghua University (清华大学文南楼116会议室)

Host: Wenxia Zhang, Professor, Applied Linguistics and Language Education, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Tsinghua University

Brief Bio of the speaker

Prof. Kim received her Ed.D at Harvard University in Human Development and Psychology with a concentration on Language and Literacy, and with a minor in Quantitative Policy Analysis in Education. She holds Master’s degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) as well as in Human Development and Culture. She was a former classroom teacher at primary and secondary schools, and community college in San Francisco, California.  

Professor Kim’s primary research areas include development in language, cognition, and literacy acquisition, including dyslexia and dysgraphia, across languages and writing systems, and evidence-based instruction. Her research has been supported by several federal agencies such as the Institute of Education Science, U. S. Department of Education, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Research Foundation of Korea. 

Professor Kim’s work was recognized by several awards including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by President Barack Obama; and the Robert Gagne Research Award, Developing Scholar Award. She currently serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Educational Psychology, and is on the editorial board for several other journals.