Ying Suet Michelle Lung: A Journey from BYU-Hawaii to Linguistics PhD Candidate at The University of Utah

Ying Suet Michelle Lung, a distinguished Linguistics PhD candidate at The University of Utah, has a remarkable journey that started at Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-H). Graduating in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in TESOL Education, Michelle’s passion for language education was ignited during her undergraduate studies.

Reflecting on her time at BYU-H, Michelle recalls her professors’ profound impact on her. “They were encouraging and nurturing, always inviting us to reach our potential,” she shares. This supportive environment inspired Michelle to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (TESOL) at BYU.

Teaching Philosophy Enriched by Global Experience

Holistic Approach to Education at BYU-H
Creative Teaching Methods and Leadership at BYU
Integration of Research and Teaching in Second-Language Writing

Community Outreach and Multilingual Skills
Language Education Expertise Through Translation Work
Transformative Power of Language Education

Inspirational Insights for Future Educators
Legacy of Impact and Innovation

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Ying Suet Michelle Lung

Teaching Philosophy Enriched by Global Experience

Michelle’s career spans multiple countries, including Hong Kong, Japan, England, and the United States, each enriching her teaching philosophy. “Teaching in Japan taught me to adapt my approach based on students’ cultural backgrounds,” she explains. Michelle emphasizes the importance of understanding her students’ learning context, noting how she utilized tools like Google Translate to bridge language gaps.

Her experiences as an international educator have fostered a deep empathy for students navigating life away from their homelands. “We share more than just a classroom—we are all navigating life away from our homelands,” one of her students said, a sentiment that resonated deeply with her.

Holistic Approach to Education at BYU-H

During her tenure as an adjunct faculty member at BYU-H, Michelle taught English as an International Language (EIL) to students from over 75 countries. She cherishes the close-knit campus community, where interactions extend beyond the classroom. “As teachers, we sometimes overly emphasize their academic performance while overlooking that they are ordinary individuals facing personal struggles,” she reflects.

This holistic approach to teaching led Michelle to engage with a research group focused on positive psychology in language learning, further enhancing her educational methods.

Creative Teaching Methods and Leadership at BYU

Michelle’s teaching repertoire includes instructing freshman composition classes at BYU and mentoring students at the English Language Center (ELC). She embraces Marshall Goldsmith’s philosophy: “One of the most important actions a leader can do is lead by example.”

Demonstrating effective teaching practices in her classes, Michelle prepares meticulously and consistently brings creativity into her lessons. “There is never a dull lesson in my class because I always bring something creative,” her students often remark.

Integration of Research and Teaching in Second-Language Writing

Her research interests in second-language writing, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and self-assessment are seamlessly integrated into her teaching. A proponent of self-assessment, Michelle’s master’s thesis focused on rubric training.

She encourages her students to become self-sufficient writers by teaching them to interpret and use rubrics for self-assessment. “I love how this changes students’ perspectives on writing; they approach it without fear,” she says.

Community Outreach and Multilingual Skills

Balancing her roles between academic institutions and community outreach, Michelle teaches community English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Utah Valley University (UVU).

She finds these experiences complementary, often applying techniques from her academic teaching in community settings. “I remember one semester when I taught a TESOL class at BYU in the morning and a community ESL class at UVU in the evening,” she recalls, highlighting the dynamic interplay between her roles.

Language Education Expertise Through Translation Work

Michelle’s multilingual skills are evident in her work as a translator and proofreader at Linguists Asia Company Limited. She practices what she preaches, improving her language proficiency through daily activities and engaging in research projects. “If I ask my students to watch the news for 15 minutes daily, I will also listen to the radio news while driving to work,” she exemplifies.

Transformative Power of Language Education

Translating and proofreading have honed Michelle’s understanding of language education. Unlike the straightforward task of correcting errors as a proofreader, teaching requires her to foster students’ awareness of their mistakes and promote their improvement. “If learners do not notice their mistakes and are not aware of them, they will never improve,” she asserts.

Inspirational Insights for Future Educators

Michelle offers inspiring advice for aspiring educators: “You may think only doctors can save lives, but no, language teachers can also save lives.” She underscores the transformative power of teaching English to immigrants, opening doors of opportunity and enabling them to navigate their new environments. “Being an educator may not make you rich, but it is probably one of the most fulfilling jobs you can ever have,” she concludes.

Legacy of Impact and Innovation

Michelle Lung’s journey is a testament to the profound impact educators can have on their students and the broader community. Her dedication and innovative approaches continue to inspire future language educators.

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