Heesun Chang

A leader in transformative education for bilingual and ESL learners, Dr. Heesun Chang serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. His academic journey is marked by a profound dedication to the fields of applied linguistics, educational measurement, and statistics. Dr. Chang's research is centered around the analysis of language patterns, the validation of assessment instruments, and the exploration of issues related to International Teaching Assistant (ITA) training and assessment. Dr. Chang's educational background is both diverse and comprehensive. He earned his Ph.D. in Language & Literacy Education, which laid the foundation for his deep understanding of language acquisition and literacy development. Complementing this, he holds a Master of Science in Statistics, a Master of Education in Educational Measurement, and a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). His academic pursuits began with a Bachelor of Arts in Mission English, reflecting his early commitment to language education. In the classroom, Dr. Chang is known for his engaging and insightful teaching style. He offers a range of courses that reflect his expertise and research interests, including Bilingual Assessment and Monitoring Students, Spanish/English Biliteracy, and Evaluation of Programs with Bilingual and Language Minority Students K-12. These courses are designed to equip future educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively assess and support bilingual and ESL students. Dr. Chang's research contributions have significantly impacted the field of language education. His work on corpus and statistical methods has provided valuable insights into language patterns, while his efforts in validating assessment instruments have enhanced the reliability and effectiveness of educational assessments. Additionally, his investigations into ITA training and assessment have informed best practices for supporting international teaching assistants in higher education settings. Beyond his research and teaching, Dr. Chang is actively involved in the academic community, contributing to various initiatives aimed at improving language education and assessment. His commitment to advancing the field is evident in his ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that his work has a meaningful impact on educators and students alike. Dr. Chang's dedication to his field and his students makes him a respected and influential figure in bilingual and ESL education. His work continues to inspire and inform educators, researchers, and policymakers, driving forward the conversation on effective language education and assessment practices.