معرفی
Lening Liu serves as Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures and Coordinator of Classical Chinese at Columbia University, where he joined the faculty in 1995 and directs the Chinese Language Program while co-directing the Certificate Program in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages. His office is located in 626 Kent Hall with office hours Tuesday/Thursday 1PM-2:30PM.
His educational background includes:
- PhD in Linguistics from the University of Florida (1996)
- MA in History of Chinese Language from Shaanxi Normal University (1985)
- BA in Chinese Language and Literature from Shaanxi Normal University (1982)
Professor Liu's research centers on Chinese linguistics with four primary pillars: Linguistics (focusing on structural evolution), Historical Syntax (tracking grammatical changes), Discourse Grammar (analyzing rhetorical patterns), and Chinese Language Pedagogy (innovating teaching methodologies). His work bridges theoretical linguistics and practical application, particularly in documenting the evolution of Chinese conjunctive adverbs and developing frameworks for teaching Chinese as a second language.
Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a clear trajectory: early works (1988-1996) established foundations in historical linguistics and classical Chinese, mid-career publications (2003-2007) focused on specialized language domains (legal, everyday) and standardized teaching frameworks, while recent output (2011-2017) emphasizes comprehensive pedagogical resources and intercultural communication. The consistent thread is the integration of linguistic theory with classroom practice, particularly evident in his co-authored handbooks and curriculum standards.
As academic leadership, Liu directs Columbia's Chinese Language Program overseeing curriculum development and instructor training, while co-directing the Certificate Program in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages which prepares educators for global contexts. His administrative roles directly support his research mission through practical implementation of pedagogical innovations.
Within the Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures, Liu leads the Chinese Language Program team responsible for teaching all levels of modern Chinese and classical Chinese courses. This includes coordinating instructors for courses like CHNS GU4516 (Fifth Year Chinese I) and CHNS GU4301 (Introduction to Classical Chinese), ensuring alignment between research-driven methodology and classroom execution.
