Joshua Wedlock

Macquarie University

My name is Joshua Wedlock, a Ph.D. Candidate at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. My current areas of research include 'Taboo Language and Pragmatics' and 'The Comprehension of Taboo Language by Korean English-speakers'. I am also interested in educational myths and expedited language learning. In my presentation, I will be discussing why the study of taboo language is important.


Sessions

Macquarie University Graduate Student Showcase 2

Exploring the fostering of critical thinking in English teacher education Nu Anh VO This presentation addresses methodological issues in a study on exploring the fostering of students’ critical thinking in English language teacher education. The study is a comparative case study of two Master’s programs in Applied Linguistics/TESOL in Australia and Vietnam. Heritage language proficiencies of Chinese immigrant children in Australia Yining WANG Adopting a sociolinguistic ethnographic approach, this study investigates heritage language proficiencies of Chinese immigrant children and contributing factors. The findings show that that their proficiency outcomes vary with age of migration, family language policy, use of print resources, and peer influence. Using Fitbits to physiologically measure language learner speaking anxiety Jonathan SHACHTER The main objective of this project is to develop and test a proof of concept software measurement tool, which can be used to collect HR measures (in a classroom) using a software Application Programming Interface (API) provided by FitBit, Inc. The pragmatics of swearing, (potentially) offensive, and taboo language in English Joshua WEDLOCK This presentation addresses the rationale for investigating how nonnative English speakers perceive and understand swearing and taboo language in two different contexts (Australia, South Korea). In addition, the importance of this provocative linguistic style for EFL/ESL learners is discussed.