Yea-Fen Chen

Dr. Yea-Fen Chen serves as Professor and Director of the Chinese Flagship Center at Indiana University Bloomington within the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. A recognized leader in Chinese language pedagogy with over three decades of teaching experience since 1989, she holds a PhD in Foreign Language Education from Indiana University.

Her research spans critical areas in language education including foreign language pedagogy, learning strategies, second language acquisition, heritage language learner dynamics, technology-integrated teaching methodologies, and pedagogical applications of Chinese language films. This work directly informs her development of innovative curricula for Mandarin instruction.

Dr. Chen has held significant leadership positions including Executive Director of the Chinese Language Teachers Association (U.S.) from 2010-2014 and ongoing service as AP Chinese Course and Exam consultant for the College Board since 2006. She co-authored foundational textbooks such as Integrated Chinese and previously coordinated Chinese and Asian Studies programs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and National Taiwan Normal University.

She directs the Chinese Flagship Center, which operates under the Hamilton Lugar School framework to advance students' Chinese proficiency to professional levels through immersive academic programming.