Selected Publications

• Gao, X. (forthcoming). The ‘falling’ language standards and teachers’ professional vulnerability in Hong Kong. Research Papers in Education.
• Gao, X. (forthcoming).To be or not to be 'part of them': Micropolitical challenges in Mainland Chinese students' learning of English in a multilingual university. TESOL Quarterly.
• Gao, X., Barkhuizen, G., Chow, A. (in press). ‘Nowadays, teachers are relatively obedient’: Understanding primary school English teachers’ conceptions of and drives for research in China. Language Teaching Research.
• Gao, X. (2010). Strategic language learning: The roles of agency and context. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters.
• Gao, X.& Ko, P. (2009).Learning study for primary school English teachers: A case story from Hong Kong. Changing English, 16(4), 397-404.
• Gao, X. (2009). Review: Standards for ESL/EFL teachers of adults, TESOL. Alexandria, VA: TESOL, 2008.Ppx+187. TESOL Quarterly, 43 (3), 560-562.
• Trent, J. & Gao, X. (2009). “At least I’m the type of teacher I want to be”: Second-career English language teachers’ identity formation in Hong Kong secondary schools. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education , 37, 253-270.
• Gao, X. (2009). Ethical Challenges in Internet-based Research on Language Learners’ Autonomous Learning: Personal reflections. Independence, 46, 13-17.
• Gao, X. & Trent, J. (2009). Understanding mainland Chinese students’ motivations for choosing teacher education programmes in Hong Kong. Journal of Education for Teaching: International Research and Pedagogy, 35(2), 145-159.
• Gao, X. (2009). ‘English corner’ as an out-of-class learning activity. English Language Teaching Journal, 63 (1). 60-67.
• Gao, X. (forthcoming). A call for better social support in learning: Insights from research on Asian students’ language learning strategy use in English medium (EM) universities. In Davison, C. & Bruce, N. (eds.) Language Issues in English Medium Universities across Asia . Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
• Benson, P., Chik, A., Gao, X., Huang, J., and Wang, W. (2009). Qualitative research in language teaching and learning journals 1997-2006. Modern Language Journal, 93(1), 79-90.
• Gao, X., & Benson, P. (2008). Situating student approaches to learning English in a Chinese context: A re-interpretation of two tertiary vocational learners’ experiences. Asian Journal of English Language Teaching, 18 , 41-66.
• Benson, P., & Gao, X. (2008). Individual variation in language learning strategy. In Hurd, S. & Lewis, T. (Eds.) Language learning strategies in independent learning settings (pp 25-40). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.
• Wang, W. & Gao, X. ( 2008 ). English language education in China: A review of selected research. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 29 (5) , 280-299.
• Gao, X. (2008). Forget Chinese; let us think only in English! Chinese netizens debating the best ways to learn English in China. Changing English , 15. 435-444.
• Gao, X. (2008). Shifting motivational discourses among mainland Chinese students in an English medium tertiary institution in Hong Kong: A longitudinal inquiry. Studies in Higher Education, 33(5), 599-614. DOI: 10.1080/03075070802373107.
• Gao, X. (2008). You had to work hard ‘Cause you didn’t know whether you were going to wear shoes or straw sandals! Journal of Language, Identity and Education , 8(3/4), 169-187.
• Gao, X. (2008). Teachers’ professional vulnerability and cultural tradition: A Chinese paradox. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24 (1), 154-165 .
• Gao, X., Cheng, H. & Kelly, P. (2008). Supplementing an uncertain investment? Chinese alliances for English language learning. Journal of Asia Pacific Communication, 18 (1), 9-29.
• Gao, X. (2007a). Has language learning strategy research come to an end? A response to Tseng et al. (2006). Applied Linguistics, 28 (4), 615-620.
• Gao, X. (2007b). Language learning experiences and learning strategy research: Voices of a mainland Chinese student in Hong Kong. Innovations in Language Learning and Teaching, 1 (2), 193-207.
• Gao, X (2007c). A tale of Blue Rain Café: A study on the online narrative construction about a community of English learners on the Chinese mainland. System, 35 (2), 259-270.
• Gao, X. (2006a). Understanding changes in Chinese students’ uses of learning strategies in China and Britain: A socio-cultural re-interpretation. System, 34 (1), 55-67.
• Gao, X. (2006b). Understanding Chinese students’ teacher-dependence. In Thomas Farrell (Ed.) Language Teacher Research in Asia (pp.61-74). Virginia: TESOL Publications.
• Gao, X. (2006c). Strategies used by Chinese parents to support English language learning: Voices of "elite"university students. RELC Journal, 34 (3), 285-298.
• Gao, X. (2006d). Interpreting Chinese students’ motives in a weekly English discussion group: A ca se study. Asian Journal of English Language Teaching, 16 . 129-143.
• Gao, X. (2006e). English corners as emerging communities of English learners from the Chinese mainland: Implications for research and pedagogy. Independence , IATEFL Learner Autonomy SIG Newsletter , Issue 39, 12-15.
• Gao, X. (2006f). A realist interpretation of a Mainland Chinese student’s English-learning experiences in Hong Kong: Focus on learning strategy. Research Studies in Education , 4 , 172-182.
• Gao, X. & Davison, C. (2006). Learning styles and learning strategy. TESOL RIS Newsletter .
• Gao, X, Su, Z., & Hu, X. (2006). Managing vocational institutional transformation: A Chinese case. Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 11 (1), 49-63.
• Gao, X. (2005a). Advancing a sociocultural framework In language learning strategy research. Research in Education, 3 , 191-202.
• Gao, X. (2005b). A tale of two mainland Chinese English learners. Asian EFL Journal, 7 (2), 4-23.
• Gao, X. (2004a). A critical review of questionnaire use in learner strategy research. Prospect, An Australian Journal of TESOL, 19 (3), 3-14.
• Gao, X. (2004b). A qualitative inquiry into changes in Chinese students’ situated uses of learner strategies in China and Britain. Research Studies in Education, 2 , 195-202.
• Gao, X. (2004c). Review: Richards, K. (2003). Qualitative Inquiry in TESOL Palgrave/MacMillan; 332 pages; ISBN 1-40369-0135-X. Hong Kong Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9 , 87-91.
• Gao, X. (2003). Changes in Chinese students’ learner strategy use after arrival in the UK: A qualitative enquiry. In Palfreyman, D. & Smith, R.C. (eds.) Learner autonomy across cultures: Language education perspectives (pp. 41-57). Basingtoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
  

Paper Presentation at Conferences

• Gao, X. (2008, August). A realist perspective on autonomy, agency and identity. A paper presented at Autonomy Research Network Symposium in the 15th AILA (International Association of Applied Linguistics). Essen, Germany.
• Gao, X. (2008, July). Ethical challenges in Internet-based applied linguistics research. A paper presented at Australian Association of Applied Linguistics Annual Conference. Sydney: University of Sydney.
• Gao, X. (2008a, June). Beyond language learning strategies: What do mainland Chinese undergraduates’ language learning experiences within an English medium university in Hong Kong tell us? A paper presented at Featured Colloquium on ‘Learners’ Experiences’ in an International Conference on Language Issues in English Medium Universities: A Global Concern. Hong Kong: the University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2008b, June). Beyond language learning strategies: What should Chinese undergraduates do to learn English within an English medium university in a multilingual context. A paper presented at Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics Annual Conference. Vancouver: University of British Columbia.
• Gao, X. (2007a, December). Know thyself, know thine world, then… A workshop given for research students at the Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2007b, December). Beyond Language Learning Strategies: What should we advise mainland Chinese undergraduates to do in learning English in Hong Kong. Paper presented at Hong Kong Association of Self-access Learning and Development Monthly Meeting. Hong Kong: City University.
• Gao, X. (2007a, November). Publishing from your thesis. A workshop given for research students at the Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2007b, November). How to become adventurous in research. A workshop given for research students at the Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2007c, November). How to become adventurous in research. A workshop given for research students at English Centre, the University of Hong Kong.
• Wang, W., & Gao, X. (2007, November). Developing a bibliography project on English language education in China: Some post-reflections. Seminar supported by the Constituent Theme Funding "Languages, Media and Communication: Language in Education and Assessment". Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2007, October). T racing language learners’ shifting motivational discourses: A biographical study. A paper presented at the Independent Learning Association 2007 Conference, Chiba, Japan.
• Gao, X. (2007, July).A troubling tale of two English learners on the Chinese Mainland. Paper presented at the 1st International Conference on English, Discourse and Intercultural Communication, Macao, China.
• Gao, X. (2007, June). Mainland Chinese students’ strategic language learning efforts in Hong Kong: Focusing on learning context. Paper presented at the 2 nd HAAL Research FORUM, Hong Kong, China.
• Gao, X. (2007a, April). Biographical studies and learning strategy research. Paper presented at the American Association of Applied Linguistics Annual Conference, USA: Costa Mesa.
• Gao, X. (2007b. April). A tale of Blue Rain Café. Paper presented at 41st IATEFL Conference. UK: Aberdeen
• Gao, X. (2007, March). Biographical studies and learning strategy research. Paper presented at 41st TESOL Convention. USA: Seattle.
• Gao, X. (2007, Jan.). Cultural tradition as an unexpected source of teachers’ professional vulnerability. Paper presented at International Conference on Contemporary China Studies. Hong Kong: the University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2006a, Nov.) Mainland Chinese undergraduates’ language learning experiences in Hong Kong: A case study focusing on learning strategy use. Seminar supported by the Constituent Theme Funding "Languages, Media and Communication: Language in Education and Assessment". Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2006b, Nov.) Mainland Chinese students’ strategic language learning efforts in Hong Kong: A preliminary progress report. Paper presented at Conference on Student Development of University Students, sponsored by Wu Jieh-Yee Research Fund. Hong Kong: the University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2006c, Nov.) Managing vocational institutional transformation: A Chinese case study of shifting leadership images. Paper presented at Asia Pacific Educational Research Association International Conference. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Institute of Education.
• Gao, X. (2006, Oct.) A tale of Blue Rain Café: An inquiry into online narrative construction of a learning community. Paper presented at KOTESOL. Korea: Seoul.
• Gao, X. (2006a, June.) You had to work hard ‘Cause you didn’t know whether you were going to wear shoes or straw sandals! Fi rst Pearl River Delta English Studies Graduate Student Conference. China: Macau.
• Gao, X. (2006b, June) A na rrative a nalysis of an o nline c ommunity of English l earners on the Chinese m ainland . International Conference on Tertiary/College English Language Teaching. Hong Kong: CUHK.
• Gao, X. (2006c, June) Language Learning Experiences and Learning Strategy Research: A Socio-cultural c ase study, Postgraduate Research Conference. Hong Kong: The Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2006, Jan.). Managing vocational institutional transformation: A Chinese case. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Comparative Education Society Hong Kong. Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2005, June). Mainland Chinese s tudents’ s hifting s trategy u se in Hong Kong: A l ongitudinal inquiry. Paper presented at the Postgraduate Research Conference (PRC). Hong Kong: Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong.
• Gao, X. (2005a, Sept.) Parental mediation: A neglected factor in Chinese students' strategy use development, Paper presented at Applied Linguistics Association New Zealand Symposium. New Zealand: Wellington.
• Gao, X. (2005b, Sept.). Parental involvement and Chinese students’ development as language learners. Invited talk at School of Language Studies, Massey University. New Zealand: Palmerton North.
• Gao, X. (2005c, Sept.). Socializing through using English together: Mainland Chinese postgraduates in Hong Kong . Paper presented at Independent Learning Association Oceania Conference. New Zealand: Auckland.
• Gao, X. (2005, March). A changing perspective on Chinese learners’ dependence on teachers: How can we learn from some learners’ English learning experiences. Paper presented at Hong Kong Association of Self-access Learning and Development Monthly Meeting. Hong Kong: City University.

Research Projects

2009-2010	Support student teachers’ self-directed learning in field experience [Teaching Development Grants (Faculty of Language; Dr. Xuesong Gao (PI), Professor Phil Benson (Co-I)]
2008-2009	An Inquiry into Boundary-crossing Teacher Trainees [Research Centre into Language Education and Acquisition in Multilingual Societies (RCLEAMS), Dr. John Trent (PI) Dr. Xuesong Gao (CoI)]
2008-2009	Understanding English language teachers’ experiences in Yi Chang, China: a narrative inquiry [Departmental Research Fund; Dr. Xuesong Gao (PI)]
2008-2009	A comparative study of Guangdong and Hong Kong primary school ELT teachers’ engagement with research [Dr. Alice Chow (PI), Dr Barkhuizen Gary, (COI), Dr. Xuesong Gao (COI)]
2008-2009	Language teachers’ professional development: A comparative biographical narrative study [Internal Research Grant; Dr. Xuesong Gao (PI), Dr. Pamela Leung (COI), Dr. John Trent (COI)]

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