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Dr. Joan K. Shin
PhD, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Professor
Co-Principal Investigator, Advancing Content Integrated Education for English Learners with a STEM Focus
Director, Global Online Teacher Education Center
Associate Dean for Faculty Success, Office of Faculty Success
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Education
Foreign Language Education
Interdisciplinary Center for Research and Development in Teacher Education
International Baccalaureate
Teaching Culturally, Linguistically Diverse & Exceptional Learners

Contact Information

Send email to Dr. Shin

Phone: (703) 993-6214
Fax: (703) 993-9380
Email: jshin23 (@gmu.edu)

Joan Shin's website

George Mason University
Fairfax Campus
Thompson Hall 2502
4400 University Dr.
MS 1E8
Fairfax, VA 22030

Profile

Joan Kang Shin, PhD is a Professor of Education at George Mason University. She is the Associate Dean for Faculty Success in Mason's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and Director of CEHD's Global Online Teacher Education Center (GOTEC). Dr. Shin specializes in teaching ESL/EFL/EAL to young learners and teenagers and has provided both in-person and online professional development programs and workshops to English language teachers in over 100 countries around the world. She is also an expert in online TESOL education and conducts research on building international virtual communities of practice for English teachers. In 2016, Dr. Shin was named one of the 30 Up and Coming Leaders of TESOL by TESOL International Association. In 2021, she was named as one of the top 30 English Language Specialists by the U.S. Department of State in recognition of her lasting impact on the Specialist Program and on the field of TESOL. She is currently serving on the Board of Trustees for The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF).

At Mason, Dr. Shin is PI for a number of externally funded grant projects, including Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL) Global Online Courses and MOOCs through the OPEN Program funded by the Department of State and administered by FHI 360. In her career, Dr. Shin has secured over $12 million in grants primarily focused on developing global online English language teacher professional development programs.

Dr. Shin is a series editor for a groundbreaking 6-level primary English series for National Geographic Learning called Our World, which won the 2014 HRH Duke of Edinburgh English Language Book Awards for Winner of Best Entry for Learners. She is also a series editor and author of a 3-level preprimary series Welcome to Our World as well as the host of a professional development video series that she designed for Our World. Her book Teaching Young Learners English, co-authored with Jodi Crandall, received the prestigious 2013 Ben Warren International House Trust Prize. She also served as series editor for an exciting 5-level English series for young teens called Impact that highlights the work of National Geographic Explorers and won the 2018 English-Speaking Union English Language Award for "Resources for Secondary to Adult Learners." Dr. Shin authored and hosted the Impact professional development videos that focuses on how to teach teenagers effectively in the 21st century. She published a co-edited volume through Routledge called Contemporary Foundations for Teaching English as an Additional Language and a co-authored book through TESOL press called The 6 Principles for Exemplary Teaching of English Learners: Young Learners in a Multilingual World. Most recently, she co-authored a professional development text with Jered Borup called Breaking Through the Screen, which was published by National Geographic Learning.

In addition, she is an English Language Specialist for the Office of English Language Programs (OELP) in the U.S. Department of State and has conducted EFL teacher training programs with hundreds of teachers in Brazil, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Laos, Libya, Morocco, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, Vietnam, and the U.A.E.

Research Interests
  • Teaching English to young learners and very young learners; using international children’s songs to teach language and culture
  • Online teacher education and professional development; using MOOCs and MOOC camps for teacher professional development
Recent Publications

Kim, W., Borup, J., Shin, J. K., & Evmenova, A. S. (2023). Enhancing global teacher professional development through MOOC camps: Case studies from Brazil, Vietnam, and Peru. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 31(2), 137-165.

Borup, J., Graham, C. R., West, R. E., Archambault, L., & Shin, J. K. (2023). Academic communities of engagement (ACE) framework. EdTechnica: The Open Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. https://edtechbooks.org/encyclopedia/academic_communities_of_engagement_ace_framework

Shin, J. K., Fox, R., & Khakimova, D. (2023). Reaching program outcomes during pandemic: English language teacher professional development in Uzbekistan. In L. England, L. D. Kamhi-Stein, & G. Kormpas, English language teacher education in changing times (pp. 159-174). Routledge.

Borup, J., Shin, J. K., Powell, M. G., Evmenova, A. S., & Kim, W. (2022). Revising and Validating the Community of Inquiry Instrument for MOOCs and other Global Online Courses. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 23(3), 82-103. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v23i2.6034

Shin, J. K. (2022). Developing primary English learners’ visual literacy for a multimodal world. In D. Valente & D. Xerri (Eds.), Innovative classroom practices in early English language education (pp. 101-128). Palgrave Macmillan.

Shin, J. K., Borup, J., & Kim, W. (2022). Creating local course communities to engage culturally and linguistically diverse teachers in global MOOCs. In E. Baumgartner, R. Kaplan-Rakowski, R. E. Ferdig, R. Hartshorne, & C. Mouza (Eds.), Retrospective: Teaching, technology, and teacher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. (pp. 73-79). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

Borup, J., Graham, C., Short, C., & Shin, J. K. (2022, January 12). Designing the new normal: Enable, engage, elevate, and extend student learning. Educause Review.
https://er.educause.edu/articles/2022/1/designing-the-new-normal-enable-engage-elevate-and-extend-student-learning

Shin, J. K., Borup, J., Barbour, M. K., & Quiroga Velasquez, R. V. (2022). Webinars for English Language Teachers During the Pandemic: Global Perspectives on Transitioning to Remote Online Teaching. AERA Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584221083976

Shin, J. K., & Borup, J. (2022). Breaking through the screen: Practical tips for engaging learners in the online and blended classroom. National Geographic Learning.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (Eds.). (2022). Welcome to our world: Student’s book (Levels 1-3) (2nd ed.). National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (Eds.). (2022). Welcome to our world: Activity book (Levels 1-3) (2nd ed.). National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K., Savić, V., & Machida, T. (2021). The 6 principles for exemplary teaching of English learners: Young learners in a multilingual world. TESOL Press.

Borup, J., Graham, C. R., Short, C. R., & Shin, J. K. (2021). Evaluating blended teaching. In C. R. Graham, J. Borup, M. A. Jensen, K. T. Arnesen & C. R. Short (Eds.), K-12 blended teaching (Vol 2): A guide to practice within the disciplines, (Vol. 2). EdTech Books. https://edtechbooks.org/k12blended2/evaluating_bt

Shin, J. K., & Kim, W. (2021). Perceived impact of short‐term professional development for foreign language teachers of adults: A case study. Foreign Language Annals, 54(2), 1– 24. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12521

Papadopoulos, I., & Shin, J. K. (2021). Developing young foreign language learners’ persuasive strategies through intercultural folktales. Research Papers in Language Teaching and Learning, 11(1), 185-202.

Vinogradova, P., & Shin, J. K. (Eds.). (2021). Contemporary foundations for teaching English as an additional language: Pedagogical approaches and classroom applications. New York, NY: Routledge.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (Eds.). (2021). Explore our world: Student’s book (Levels Starter-6) (2nd ed.). National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (Eds.). (2021). Explore our world: Workbook (Levels Starter-6) (2nd ed.). National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K., & Borup, J. (2020). Global webinars for English teachers worldwide during a pandemic: “They came right when I needed them the most.” In R. E. Ferdig, E. Baumgartner, R. Hartshorne, R. Kaplan-Rakowski, and C. Mouza (Eds.), Teaching, technology, and teacher education during the COVID-19 pandemic: Stories from the field. (pp. 157-162). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Retrieved from: https://www.learntechlib.org/p/216903/

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (Eds.). (2020). Our world: Student’s Book (Levels Starter-6) (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (Eds.). (2020). Our world: Workbook (Levels Starter-6) (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (Eds.). (2020). Our world: Grammar workbook (Levels 1-6) (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Savić, V., Cekić-Jovanović, O., & Shin, J. K. (2020). Empowering teachers to manage change in the 21st century. In V. Savić & O. Cekić-Jovanović (Eds.)  Professional Competences for Teaching in the 21st Century. Faculty of Education in Jagodina, University of Kragujevac, Serbia.

Shin, J. K., & Borup. J. (2020). Building a supportive learning environment. InFocus Blog. National Geographic Learning. Retrieved from https://infocus.eltngl.com/2020/04/02/building-a-supportive-online-community

Shin, J. K., & Borup, J. (2020). Making your screen come alive. InFocus Blog. National Geographic Learning. Retrieved from https://infocus.eltngl.com/2020/03/24/making-your-screen-come-alive

Shin, J. K., & Borup, J. (2020). Engaging students in meaningful learning activities. InFocus Blog. National Geographic Learning. Retrieved from https://infocus.eltngl.com/2020/03/16/engaging-students-in-meaningful-learning-activities

Shin, J. K. (2019). Use projects, and let your young learners surprise you. InFocus Blog. National Geographic Learning. Retrieved from https://infocus.eltngl.com/2019/06/19/use-projects-and-let-your-young-learners-surprise-you/

Shin, J. K., & Fernández, L. V. (2019). Building bridges to the primary classroom: Engaging early literacy practices. TEYLT Worldwide, 2, 31-35.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (2019). Developing formative assessment practices for young learner English teachers: A professional development model in Peru. In D. Prošić-Santovac & S. Rixon (Eds.), Integrating assessment into early language learning and teaching practice. Enever, Janet (Ed.). Early language learning in school contexts. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (2019). Teaching reading and writing to young learners. In S. Garton & F. Copeland (Eds.), Handbook of Teaching English to Young Learners. New York: Routledge.

Shin, J. K. (2018). Literacy programming for young learners. In J. I. Liontas (Ed.), The TESOL Encyclopedia of English Language Teaching, First Edition, Organizational and Administrative Issues (pp.4281-4286). [M. DelliCarpini (Project Ed.); Salas, S. (Volume Ed)]. Boston, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. DOI: 10.1002/9781118784235

Shin, J. K. (2017). Get up and sing! Get up and move!: Using songs and movement with young learners of English. English Teaching Forum, 55(2), 14-25.

Shin, J. K. (2017). Literacy instruction for young EFL learners: A balanced approach. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning.

Shin, J. K. (2017). Impact professional development video program. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Crandall, J. A., & Shin, J. K. (Eds.). (2017). Impact. 4-level series for teaching English to lower secondary students around the world. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Crandall, J. A., & Shin, J. K. (Eds.). (2017). Our world: Phonics (Levels 1-3). Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Crandall, J. A., & Shin, J. K. (Eds.). (2017). Our world: Grammar workbook (Levels 1-6). Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Crandall, J. A., & Shin, J. K. (Eds.). (2017). Our world ABC. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K. (2016). Early Childhood Education in English to Speakers of Other Languages [Review of the book Early Childhood Education in English to Speakers of Other Languages]. TEYLT Worldwide, 1, 38-41.

Savić, V., & Shin, J. K. (2016). Improving quality of primary English language teaching in Serbia through theme-based instruction. In Jelena Teodorovic (Ed.), Improving Quality of Education in Elementary Schools (pp. 328-338). Belgrade: Faculty of Education of University in Kragujevac, Institute for Pedagogical Research, and Institute for Improvement of Education.

Shin, J. K. (2016). Building a sustainable community of inquiry through online TESOL professional development. In J. A. Crandall, & M. A. Christison (Eds.), Global Research on Teacher Education and Professional Development in TESOL. New York: Routledge.

Shin, J. K. (2015). Building a global perspective through songs in English. Children and Teenagers: IATEFL Young Learners and Teenagers Special Interest Group Publication, 3, 66-77.

Shin, J. K. (2015, June). How should kids learn English: through Old MacDonald's farm or Ali Baba's farm?. The Conversation.

Shin, J. K. (2015, July-September). Literacy instruction for young EFL learners: A balanced approach. TESOL Greece Newsletter, 127, 28-31.

Crandall, J. A., & Shin, J. K. (Eds.). (2015). Explore our world. 6-level series for teaching English to young learners around the world. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning. Winner of the 2015 New England Book Show for Best El-Hi Print Series

O’Sullivan, J. K., & Shin, J. K. (2015). Welcome to our world. 3-level series for teaching English to preprimary school students around the world. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (Eds.). (2015). Welcome to our world. 3-level series for teaching English to preprimary school students around the world. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K. (2014). Teaching young learners in ESL and EFL settings. In M. Celce-Murcia, D. M. Brinton, & M. A. Snow (Eds.), Teaching English as a second or foreign language (4th ed., pp.550-567). Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.

Shin, J. K., & Crandall, J. A. (2014). Teaching young learners English: From theory to practice. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.
Winner of the 2013 Ben Warren International House Trust Prize for Outstanding Text in English Language Education

Crandall, J. A., & Shin, J. K. (Eds.). (2014). Our world. 6-level series for teaching English to young learners around the world. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.
Winner of the 2014 HRH Duke of Edinburgh English Language Book Awards for Best Entry for Learners

Bickel, B., Shin, J. K., Taylor, J., Faust, H., & Penniston, T. (2013). Learning English internationally while engaging communities locally: Online EFL supporting community learning for young leaders. TESOL Journal, 4(3), 439-462.

Savić, V., & Shin, J. K. (2013). Contextualizing language learning through stories in Serbia. Innovations in Foreign Language Teaching and Learning at Early Ages, 26(1), 62-82.

Shin, J. K., & Bickel, B. (2012). Building an online community of inquiry with participant-moderated discussions. In L. England (Ed.), Online Language Teacher Education: TESOL Perspectives. New York: Routledge (Taylor Francis).

Medina-López-Portillo, A., Strickling, L. R., Shin, J. K., & Izenberg, I. (2012). Learning and teaching across cultures. In E. Christopher (Ed.), Managing Communication Across Culture: Different Voices. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Shin, J. K., Edmonds, L., & Browder, C. (2010). Collaboration is the key to successful professional development: The UMBC STEP T for ELLs Program in Maryland. In C. J. Casteel, & K. G. Ballantyne, (Eds.), Professional Development in Action: Improving Teaching for English Learners (pp. 73-78). Washington, D.C.: National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition.

Shin, J. K. & Bickel, B. (2008). Distributing teaching presence: Engaging teachers of English to young learners in an international virtual community of inquiry. In C. Kimble, P. Hildreth, & I. Bourdon (Eds.), Communities of practice: Creating learning environments for educators (pp. 149-178). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Shin, J. K. (2007). Developing dynamic units for EFL. English Teaching Forum, 45(2), 2-8.

Shin, J. K. (2006). Ten helpful ideas for teaching English to young learners. English Teaching Forum, 44(2), 2-7, 13.

Shin, J. K. (2005). Teaching English to young learners: An online teacher training course. Learning Languages, 10(2), 18-20. National Network of Early Language Learning.

Shin, J. K. (2004). The use of Freirian pedagogy in teaching English as an international language: Raising the critical consciousness of EFL teachers in Korea. LLC Review, 4(1), 63-82.

Other Information

Video Production

Shin, J. K., Borup, J., Evmenova, A., Kim, W., Chung, H., Webb, K., Fox, R., & Pic, J. (2021). Teaching English through English video program: Modules 1-10. English Speaking Nation Program in Uzbekistan funded by the U.S. Embassy, Tashkent. (Produced 26 videos, hosted 12 videos)

     Playlist link: https://bit.ly/3graveN

Borup, J., Shin, J. K., Andrews, H., Evmenova, A., Kim, W., & Fales, A. (2021). English for media literacy for educators video program: Modules 1-5. Professional development video program for inclusion in the OPEN Program funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by FHI 360. (Hosted 10 videos, wrote 4 scripts, and filmed 19 videos)

     Playlist link: https://tinyurl.com/5ny9f48c

Shin, J. K. (2020). Our world professional development video program (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning. (Hosted, wrote, and co-produced video program to provide professional development for primary school teachers of English.)
     https://eltngl.com/sites/OurWorldPD

Shin, J. K. (2017). Teaching English to Young Learners: Module 1-8 Video Lectures. American English E-Teacher Program. (Hosted, wrote, and edited professional development video program for inclusion in the AE E-Teacher Program funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by FHI 360.)

     Playlist link: https://bit.ly/2nztVBs

Shin, J. K. (2017). Impact professional development video program. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning. (Hosted and wrote professional development video program to provide professional development for secondary school teachers of English.)

     http://ngl.cengage.com/sites/impact/professional-development

Shin, J. K. (2017). Our world professional development resource site. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning. (Hosted, wrote, and co-produced video and PD program content for pre-primary and primary English language teachers around the world.)

     http://ngl.cengage.com/ourworld/profdev

Shin, J. K. (2015). Welcome to our world video program. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning. (Hosted, wrote, and co-produced video program to provide professional development for pre-primary school teachers of English.)

     Clips can be viewed on this playlist: https://bit.ly/2OuAH6I

Shin, J. K. (2014). Our world professional development video program. Boston, MA: National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning. (Hosted, wrote, and co-produced video program to provide professional development for primary school teachers of English.)

     Clips can be viewed on this playlist: https://bit.ly/2MeadKn

 

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