Dr Isabel Tasker

Biography

Isabel Tasker joined UNE in 2001 as a Lecturer in Chinese. She is an educator with over three decades of experience teaching Mandarin in Europe and Australia in a variety of modes and contexts: full- and part-time study, adult and community education, university campus-based, and by distance education and online. Her work has involved her in a wide range of curriculum development, assessment, evaluation and teacher-training initiatives at local and national level in the UK and Australia. Dr Tasker’s teaching, research, and service activities are all motivated and linked by a passionate and scholarly commitment as an educator to Chinese language learning, and on a broader scale to advocacy for the benefits of learning languages other than English to develop intercultural awareness and understanding. The outstanding quality of her teaching has been recognised at UNE by the award of the Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award,  and nationally by the award of an Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for outstanding contributions to student learning. Isabel Tasker’s research interests are in language pedagogy and applied linguistics, and her research makes innovative contributions in both content and methodology.

Dr Tasker has been Coordinator of the Languages and Cultures Grouping within the School of Arts since 2014, and she is currently Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Languages, the Bachelor of Languages and International Business, and the Diploma of Modern Languages.

Qualifications

BA Hons (York, UK); Grad Dip Chin (Liaoning and Nanjing); Cert Applied Language Studies (York St John); MA Area Studies (Far East) (London); Cert IV Instructional Multimedia (CMC, WA); Grad Cert Higher Education (UNE); PhD (UNE).

Teaching Areas

Mandarin Chinese (beginners to advanced); Chinese grammar; translation; introduction to contemporary Chinese culture

Research Interests

Chinese pedagogy, applied linguistics, distance education. Social, affective and conceptual aspects of learners' experiences of long-term language learning. Curriculum development appropriate to new learning environments.

Publications

Book chapters

Tasker, I. (2016). 取长补短: Complementary Peer Learning in the Multilingual L2 Chinese Classroom Through Tandem Translation. In R. Moloney & H. L. Xu (Eds.), Exploring Innovative Pedagogy in the Teaching and Learning of Chinese as a Foreign Language (Vol. 15, pp. 137-155): Springer Singapore. doi:10.1007/978-981-287-772-7_8

Tasker, I. (2010). Intermediate distance learners of Chinese look back: A survey study. In M. E. Everson & H. H. Shen (Eds.), Research among learners of Chinese as a foreign language. (pp. 153-177 ). Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i, National Foreign Language Resource Center.

Journal articles

Tasker, I. (2017). Temporal patterns of long-term engagement with learning an additional language. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 11(3), 241-252. DOI:10.1080/17501229.2017.1317259

Tasker, I (2017) Timeline analysis of complex language learning trajectories: data visualisation as conceptual tool and method. Applied Linguistics Review, special issue on Visual Methods in Language Studies. DOI 10.1515/applirev-2017-0001

Clark, J; Gurney, LJ; Lawrence, S; Leece, R; Malouff, JM; Masters, Y; Reid, J; Tasker, I; Valenzuela-Abaca, F; Wilkes, J (2015) Embedding an institution-wide capacity building opportunity around transition pedagogy: First Year Teaching and Learning Network Coordinators. The International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 6(1), 107.  doi:10.5204/intjfyhe.v6i1.268

Tasker, I. (1995). Bridging the Gap: Course materials for pre-China and in-China language study. Australian Review of Applied Linguistics, special issue onThe Hard Work - Entertainment Continuum: Teaching Asian Languages in Australia. Series S, 99-118

Low, G; Tasker, I; Hong, L (1991) The wording of bipolar attitude scales in Chinese. Educational Research, 33(2), 141-150. doi:10.1080/0013188910330207

Qiu, Z., Deans, M., & Tasker, I. (1980). A comparison of ways of expressing direction in the verb phrase in Chinese and English. 汉语与英语中表示趋向的动词短语比较. Language Teaching and Research. 《语言教学与研究》, 1(1), 82-98.

Refereed conference proceedings

Tasker, I. (2014). A bicycle made for two: 'Tandem translation' as a response to changing student cohorts in advanced Chinese classes. In C. Travis, J. Hajek, C. Nettlebeck, E. Beckmann & A. Lloyd-Smith (Eds.), Practices and policies: current research in languages and cultures education. Selected Proceedings of the Second National LCNAU Colloquium (pp. 301-315). Canberra. : Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities (LCNAU).

Tasker, I., (a.k.a 谭以诗). (2006). Learning Chinese entails a metamorphosis: the personal significance of Chinese language study for adult Australian distance learners and independent learners. Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Chinese Language Teaching, Shanghai 2006, Shanghai, China.

Educational software

Orton, J; Liu, M; Tasker, I; Smith, D; Farquhar, M; Ying, T (1999). Bridges to China 中文之桥: CD-ROM Version (a 40-part interactive, Web-based, intermediate level course in Chinese language and culture).  Commonwealth of Australia.

Unpublished dissertation

Tasker, I (2012) The dynamics of Chinese learning journeys: a longitudinal study of adult learners of Mandarin in Australia. Unpublished PhD doctoral thesis, University of New England.

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/11396

Reports

Tasker, I (2009) Blended Model UNE / JCU partnership in Chinese Language Studies. Evaluation report for the national project led by the Australian Deans of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (DASSH) on “Innovative Approaches to the Provision of Languages other than English in Australian Higher Education”.

Tasker, I (1994) Computer Assisted Chinese Language Learning in Use: An evaluation of the Hanyu Jiejing program as used in graduate courses in the Faculty of Education, Griffith University. Murdoch University: Unico.

Translations

Tasker, I., & Carter, R. (1991). English translation (part 1) of Zheng M and Min T, Buxaceae, (1980) in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae: Tomus 45(1). Beijing: Science Press. Boxwood Bulletin, 30(3), 45-55.

Tasker, I., & Carter, R. (1991). English translation (part 2) of Zheng M and Min T, Buxaceae, (1980) in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae: Tomus 45(1). Beijing: Science Press. Boxwood Bulletin, 30(4), 67-74.

Tasker, I., & Carter, R. (1991). English translation (part 3) of Zheng M and Min T, Buxaceae, (1980) in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae: Tomus 45(1). Beijing: Science Press. Boxwood Bulletin, 31(1), 14-23.

Non-refereed conference proceedings

Tasker, I. (1992). Computer Assisted Language Learning for Teachers of Chinese. In K. Louie (Ed.), New Developments in Chinese Language Teaching and Teacher Training (pp. 44-49). Melbourne: Key Centre for Asian Languages and Studies, with the Asialink Centre.

Tasker, I. (1991). Computer assisted language learning: how can it assist us? In T. Le & M. McCausland (Eds.), Language Education: Interaction and Development. Proceedings of the International Conference, Vietnam (pp. 239-250). Hobart: University of Tasmania.

Tasker, I. (1990). Some impacts of recent economic reforms and social developments in China on literacy work and language use. In R. B. Le Page (Ed.), International Group for the Study of Language Standardisation and the Vernacularisation of Literacy, York Workshop 1990 (pp. 30-33). York: Department of Language and Linguistic Science, University of York

Tasker, I. (1988). 谈初级汉语教学原文教材的用处和用法。 [The use of authentic texts in teaching elementary Chinese] 第二届国际汉语教学讨论会论文选 [Selected papers from the Second International Conference on Chinese Language Teaching] (pp. 561-568). Beijing: Beijing Languages Institute Press.

Selected conference papers and presentations

Tasker, I. (2016, September) Visualising the dynamics of L2 language learning trajectories. Paper presented at the Advances in Visual Methods for Linguistics conference, University of Queensland.

Tasker, I. (2016, August) Distance learners of Chinese at an Australian University: Contexts and Practices. Paper presented at the International Conference on the Teaching of Chinese, Massey University, Auckland

Tasker, I. (2016, August) Listening in Learning to Speak Chinese: A discovery learning approach.  Paper presented at the Chinese as a Second Language Research conference (CASLAR-4), ECNU, Shanghai

Tasker, I. (2016, May) Analysing pathways of long-term language learning. Paper presented at the Languages Education Research workshop, Making More of Languages event, University of Sydney

Tasker, I. (2015, December) Identity and positioning in cross-lingual peer learning activities for the multilingual university context.Paper presented at the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia conference (ALAA), Adelaide

Tasker, I. (2015, December) Episodic formal language study and learning beyond the classroom. Paper presented at the Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities colloquium (LCNAU), Macquarie University.

Tasker, I. (2014, October) Chinese Whispers? Learning Mandarin in Regional Australia. Paper presented at the Society for Provision for Education in Rural Australia conference (SPERA) UNE, Armidale.

Tasker, I. (2014, August) The challenges and rewards of long-term learning of Chinese: learners’ evolving perspectives. Paper presented at Chinese as a Second Language Research conference (CASLAR-3), Parma.

Tasker, I. (2014, August)  A long engagement: affective and personal meanings of long-term Chinese learning for adult learners.  Paper presented at the World Applied Linguistics Congress (AILA), Brisbane.

Tasker, I. (2014, August)  Self-directed study of L2 Mandarin in Regional Australia: agency, creativity and co-adaptation.  Paper presented in the Colloquium on Language Learning beyond the Metropolis, World Applied Linguistics Congress (AILA), Brisbane.

Tasker, I. (2013, December) Complementary learning tasks for online translation classes. Paper presented at the International Conference on Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Hong Kong University.

Tasker, I. (2013, October) The dynamics of Chinese learning journeys: charting long-term L2 learning within and beyond the distance learning context. Invited seminar presentation at the Open University, UK; 2013.

Tasker, I. (2013, September) Timeline analysis: a method for mapping  adults’ engagement with long-term L2 learning within and beyond the classroom. Paper presented at the British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL), Edinburgh.

Tasker, I. (2013, July) The dynamics of Chinese learning journeys: a longitudinal study of adult learners of Mandarin in Australia. Keynote presentation at the Research Symposium on Sociocultural, Discursive, and Transnational Perspectives on the Learning of Chinese (and Other Languages), Centre for Research in Chinese Language and Literacy Education, University of British Columbia, Canada

Tasker, I (2012, November) Trajectories of long-term adult learners in the changing world of Chinese learning. Paper presented at the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia (ALAA) conference, Curtin University, WA

Tasker, I (2012, October) Listening in Learning to Speak Chinese. Invited presentation at the Chinese Teacher Training Centre, Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne.

Tasker, I. (2010, July) Assessing the appropriacy of complexity theory as a lens through which to view learning journeys.  Paper presented at the Faculty of the Professions 2010 Postgraduate Research Conference, University of New England

Tasker, I. & Mann, C.  (2009, February) The blended model: getting the recipe right. Invited presentation at Beyond the Crisis: Revitalising Languages in Australian Universities. Australian Academy of the Humanities Colloquium for Tertiary Languages Teachers, Researchers and Planners, University of Melbourne.

Tasker, I (2005, September) Learning contexts and beliefs of long-term distance learners of Chinese. Paper presented in a special colloquium on Learner and Teacher Beliefs at the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia conference (ALAA), Melbourne.

Tasker, I (2004, August) Learner experiences of Chinese distance learning: taking the long view. Invited presentation to Intellect Research Group, School of Languages, Open University.

Woodman, K., Miller, S., Tasker, I., Yamada, K., & Aacken, S. v. (2003). Motivating external Asian language study: Online learners speak out! Paper presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics Annual Conference, Arlington, Virginia.

Woodman, K., Miller, S., Tasker, I., Yamada, K., & Aacken, S. v. (2003). Motivating external Asian language study: What online learners have to say. Paper presented at the Making Our Difference: A Conference on Language Education in Australian and New Zealand Universities, University of Melbourne.

Tasker, I (2002, February) Fostering reflection in language learning online,  Paper presented at the "Language Learning is Everybody's Business" conference, Flinders University, Adelaide.

Tasker, I (1999, June) Designing Materials for On-line Distance Learners of Chinese.  Paper presented at Ed-Media 1999, the AACE World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications, Seattle, USA.

Memberships

Applied Linguistics Association of Australia (ALAA)

Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities (LCNAU)

Chinese as a Second Language Research network (CASLAR)