About Dr. Olmstead Wang

Dr. Susan Olmstead Wang

International Educator; Sociolinguist with emphases on Mandarin-English code-switching and advanced academic English

“An English teacher for international students is a bridge builder, connecting diverse cultures and enabling communication across borders. With patience and passion, they empower minds, open doors to knowledge, and inspire the world to embrace the beauty of language.”

Experience

International EducatorInternational EducatorIndependent ScholarIndependent ScholarJan 1973 – Present · 50 yrs 7 mosJan 1973 – Present · 50 yrs 7 mos
Visiting LecturerVisiting LecturerQinghua/Tsinghua University Center for Global Competencies · ContractQinghua/Tsinghua University Center for Global Competencies · ContractApr 2021 · 1 moApr 2021 · 1 moBeijing, ChinaBeijing, China
The Johns Hopkins University – Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)The Johns Hopkins University – Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)14 yrs 10 mos14 yrs 10 mos
- - Language proficiency assessment consultantLanguage proficiency assessment consultant Jul 2006 – Apr 2021 · 14 yrs 10 mosJul 2006 – Apr 2021 · 14 yrs 10 mosWashington D.C. Metro AreaWashington D.C. Metro Area
  - InstructorInstructorJul 2006 – May 2017 · 10 yrs 11 mosJul 2006 – May 2017 · 10 yrs 11 mosWashington D.C. Metro AreaWashington D.C. Metro Area
    - - Teaching advanced English for academic purposes including courses in:
        1. Academic writing Advanced Mid I and Advanced Mid II
        2. Academic speaking Advanced High
        Developing curriculum and teaching special programs and projects including:
        1. Summer Language Institute, Reading and Writing
        2. Orientation for Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants
        3. Special targeted workshop for international students in the new, intensive MIEF programTeaching advanced English for academic purposes including courses in: 1. Academic writing Advanced Mid I and Advanced Mid II 2. Academic speaking Advanced High Developing curriculum and teaching special programs and projects including: 1. Summer Language Institute, Reading and Writing 2. Orientation for Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants 3. Special targeted workshop for international students in the new, intensive MIEF program
Adjunct ProfessorAdjunct ProfessorThe University of Alabama at BirminghamThe University of Alabama at BirminghamJul 2010 – Jun 2019 · 9 yrsJul 2010 – Jun 2019 · 9 yrs
- - Developed and taught core applied linguistics courses for the International Track of the ESL Masters degree and Masters International for the US Peace Corps. Currently delivering those courses in online format.
    Developed and taught 6 iterations of an online graduate course on English as an International Language.
    Key issues include standards and communicability. In a world with more so-called “non-native” than “native” speakers of English and with much of AI and voice recognition dependent on clarity of communication, communicability is paramount. Developed and taught core applied linguistics courses for the International Track of the ESL Masters degree and Masters International for the US Peace Corps. Currently delivering those courses in online format. Developed and taught 6 iterations of an online graduate course on English as an International Language. Key issues include standards and communicability. In a world with more so-called “non-native” than “native” speakers of English and with much of AI and voice recognition dependent on clarity of communication, communicability is paramount.
Assistant ProfessorAssistant ProfessorUniversity of Alabama BirminghamUniversity of Alabama BirminghamAug 2008 – Aug 2011 · 3 yrs 1 moAug 2008 – Aug 2011 · 3 yrs 1 mo
- - Developed and taught advanced writing courses (including dissertation strategies and writing; NIH PREP grant courses) for the Graduate School Professional Development Program and applied linguistics courses for the School of Education, International Track ESL masters ProgramDeveloped and taught advanced writing courses (including dissertation strategies and writing; NIH PREP grant courses) for the Graduate School Professional Development Program and applied linguistics courses for the School of Education, International Track ESL masters Program
International DirectorInternational DirectorKaohsiung Medical UniversityKaohsiung Medical UniversityJan 2007 – Aug 2008 · 1 yr 8 mosJan 2007 – Aug 2008 · 1 yr 8 mosKaohsiung City, TaiwanKaohsiung City, Taiwan
- - Planned, executed 4 week-long workshops, intensive English language skills over 2 years on site:
    1. Assessed institutional and individual participant needs
    2. Provided interactive skill building — instruction and practice for workshop participants
    3. Coached physicians and researchers in professional oral presentation skills
    4. Reviewed, edited 57 research articles — continued working with authors via email after returning to Hopkins to bring dozens of these to publication
    5. Provided recommendations to the President on how to develop English language skills for the long term.Planned, executed 4 week-long workshops, intensive English language skills over 2 years on site: 1. Assessed institutional and individual participant needs 2. Provided interactive skill building — instruction and practice for workshop participants 3. Coached physicians and researchers in professional oral presentation skills 4. Reviewed, edited 57 research articles — continued working with authors via email after returning to Hopkins to bring dozens of these to publication 5. Provided recommendations to the President on how to develop English language skills for the long term.
Johns Hopkins University SAISJohns Hopkins University SAIS2 yrs 1 mo2 yrs 1 mo
- - Coordinator, English Language ProgramCoordinator, English Language ProgramJul 2006 – Jul 2008 · 2 yrs 1 moJul 2006 – Jul 2008 · 2 yrs 1 moWashington, DCWashington, DC
    - - Language policy development
        Hiring, training, managing of teaching personnel and writing center consultants
        Assessment of all in-coming international students
        Adjudication of end-point proficiency testing
        Development of policy for assessing all in-coming international students
        Hiring and supervising of adjuncts instructors and teaching assistants
        Taught advanced English language coursesLanguage policy development Hiring, training, managing of teaching personnel and writing center consultants Assessment of all in-coming international students Adjudication of end-point proficiency testing Development of policy for assessing all in-coming international students Hiring and supervising of adjuncts instructors and teaching assistants Taught advanced English language courses
  - Program CoordinatorProgram CoordinatorJul 2006 – Jun 2008 · 2 yrsJul 2006 – Jun 2008 · 2 yrsWashington D.C. Metro AreaWashington D.C. Metro Area
    - - I coordinated all aspects of the English Language Program (ELP) in the Language Studies Department of SAIS. As the largest language program, the ELP offered assessment, remediation, and post-proficiency services to the international students and writing center services to native and non-native English users alike. I helped shape institutional policies and standards, hired teachers and assessment consultants, managed all standard testing, scheduled classes, and taught a full load of speaking, listening, reading, writing classes.