Xiaomeng Li

Xiaomeng Li is an Assistant Professor of Chinese and Applied Linguistics at Western Washington University, affiliated with the Linguistics program. She holds a Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition from Carnegie Mellon University (2023). Her research focuses on second language reading, language assessment methodologies, and cross-linguistic variations in L2 development. She teaches Chinese language courses at various levels, Chinese linguistics, and pedagogical methods for elementary Chinese instruction.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition, Carnegie Mellon University, 2023

Research Interests:
Her work employs quantitative methods to investigate how cross-linguistic differences impact L2 reading and how assessments influence language learning processes. Key areas include L1 effects in L2 acquisition, pronunciation acquisition of English fricatives, and CFL (Chinese as a Foreign Language) assessment frameworks. She also explores meta-research methodologies in applied linguistics.

Publications Trends:
Recent work examines L2 reading proficiency’s moderating role in word recognition (2024), adult L2 learner profiling in bridge programs (2023), and cross-linguistic constraints in word recognition (2022). Her studies bridge theoretical SLA models with practical assessment tools, emphasizing empirical validation of linguistic hypotheses.

Awards:

• International Literacy Association's Timothy and Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award (2025)

Teaching & Advising:
Offers courses like CHIN 102 (First-year Chinese) and CHIN 402 (Chinese Linguistics). Actively advises on language assessment design and SLA methodologies. No formal advisees listed in current records.