Mieko Sperbeck

Mieko Sperbeck serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. She has held this position since August 2013 and simultaneously teaches at Adelphi University's Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures since August 2010, demonstrating her commitment to language education across multiple institutions.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Linguistics from The Graduate Center, City University of New York (2010)
• M.Phil. in Linguistics from The Graduate Center, City University of New York (2007)
• B.A. in Asian Studies and Religion from Temple University, Philadelphia

Dr. Sperbeck's research trajectory shows a clear evolution from foundational phonological studies to cutting-edge pedagogical applications. Her early work focused on cross-linguistic speech perception and production, particularly examining how Japanese learners of English acquire and process English consonant clusters, as evidenced by her 2011 publication. Her dissertation investigated "The acquisition of consonant clusters by Japanese learners of English," establishing her expertise in second language acquisition with a Japanese language focus.

In recent years, her research has pivoted toward innovative language pedagogy, with a pronounced emphasis on technology integration. Her 2023-2025 publications reveal a strong interest in generative AI applications for language education, open educational resources like the "We Authors" project for second language writing, and task-based virtual exchange programs. She has published extensively on how AI narratives, CANVA collaboration, and the PACE model can transform language teaching practices, demonstrating her leadership in adapting to emerging educational technologies.

Her notable achievements include:

• Research Foundation CUNY Travel Grant (2024)
• CUNY Adjunct Professional Development Grant (2023)
• Institute for Language Education in Transcultural Context Grant (2016-2017)
• The Sue Rosenberg Zalk Student Travel and Research Grant (awarded multiple years)

As an educator, Dr. Sperbeck teaches Elementary and Intermediate Japanese levels (1-4) and Descriptive and Historical Linguistics. She serves on the project planning committee for the Boston X New York Study Group for Japanese Teachers (BNYSG), a professional learning community promoting inclusivity among Japanese language instructors. Her active participation in professional organizations including AATJ, ACTFL, NECTJ, and NYSAFLT underscores her commitment to advancing language education. Her current work focuses on text-based language instruction for late second language learners and exploring how generative AI can enhance language teaching practices to support diverse learners.