![Yun He BA, MA, PhD, FHEA](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/5844?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Yun He
(she/her)
BA, MA, PhD, FHEA
Teams and roles for Yun He
Lecturer
Languages (modern)
Overview
Lecturer in Chinese Studies, I deliver and/or lead a range of Chinese language and culture modules in addition to Specialised Translation. While supervising Year 4 dissertations, MA dissertations, and Year Abroad projects, I also mentor language tutors and act as mentor and assessor for AFHEA/FHEA candidates.
I am Programme Coordinator for Chinese Languages for All, as well as Exams Officer and Recruitment and Admissions Officer for the Chinese programmes.
I am honoured to serve as External Examiner for Mandarin Chinese at Imperial College London, contributing to academic standards across the sector.
Publication
2026
- He, Y. and Zhuang, C. 2026. Learning politeness through CFL textbooks: How likely?. In: Tomlinson, B. and Masuhara, H. eds. Materials Development for L2 Communicative Ability: Theory and Practice. Bloomsbury Academic
2025
- He, Y. 2025. The presentation of politeness in CFL textbooks: problems and implications. Researching and Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language 5 (1), pp.48-70. (10.3138/rtcfl-2024-0003)
2020
- Zhuang, J. C. and He, Y. 2020. Managing multiple identities: A new perspective on compliment responses in Chinese. East Asian Pragmatics 5 (1), pp.9-39. (10.1558/eap.38489)
2016
- He, Y. 2016. Chinese taboo. In: Chan, S. and Minett, J. eds. The Routledge Encyclopedia of the Chinese Language. Routledge. , pp.378-394.
2013
- He, Y. 2013. Situational selection and presentation of identities in naturally occurring compliment responses in Chinese. In: Chen, X. ed. Pragmatic Explorations in Identity and Communication. Beijing: Higher Education Press. , pp.91-104.
2012
- He, Y. 2012. Book review: Pan, Y. and D. Z. Kadar. 2011. Politeness in Historical and Contemporary Chinese. London and New York: Continuum. Journal of Politeness Research: Language, Behaviour, Culture 8 , pp.282-286. (10.1515/pr-2012-0015)
- He, Y. 2012. Different generations, different face? A discursive approach to naturally occurring compliment responses in Chinese. Journal of Politeness Research: Language, Behaviour, Culture 8 , pp.29-51. (10.1515/pr-2012-0003)
Articles
- He, Y. 2025. The presentation of politeness in CFL textbooks: problems and implications. Researching and Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language 5 (1), pp.48-70. (10.3138/rtcfl-2024-0003)
- Zhuang, J. C. and He, Y. 2020. Managing multiple identities: A new perspective on compliment responses in Chinese. East Asian Pragmatics 5 (1), pp.9-39. (10.1558/eap.38489)
- He, Y. 2012. Book review: Pan, Y. and D. Z. Kadar. 2011. Politeness in Historical and Contemporary Chinese. London and New York: Continuum. Journal of Politeness Research: Language, Behaviour, Culture 8 , pp.282-286. (10.1515/pr-2012-0015)
- He, Y. 2012. Different generations, different face? A discursive approach to naturally occurring compliment responses in Chinese. Journal of Politeness Research: Language, Behaviour, Culture 8 , pp.29-51. (10.1515/pr-2012-0003)
Book sections
- He, Y. and Zhuang, C. 2026. Learning politeness through CFL textbooks: How likely?. In: Tomlinson, B. and Masuhara, H. eds. Materials Development for L2 Communicative Ability: Theory and Practice. Bloomsbury Academic
- He, Y. 2016. Chinese taboo. In: Chan, S. and Minett, J. eds. The Routledge Encyclopedia of the Chinese Language. Routledge. , pp.378-394.
- He, Y. 2013. Situational selection and presentation of identities in naturally occurring compliment responses in Chinese. In: Chen, X. ed. Pragmatic Explorations in Identity and Communication. Beijing: Higher Education Press. , pp.91-104.
Research
My research interests cut across pragmatics, Chinese sociolinguistics, discourse and identity, translation studies, intercultural communication, and second language acquisition/teaching Chinese as a foreign language (esp. CFL textbook analysis and evaluation).
I have to date completed six research projects supported by funders such as the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Most of the outputs have appeared in the 24 journal articles and book chapters as well as a translated book I have published. Some of them have also been shared at 15 major international conferences.
Teaching
I design, deliver and/or lead the following language and content modules:
-
- ML1160 Mandarin Chinese Upper Elementary
- ML1161 Mandarin Chinese Elementary
- ML1261 Mandarin Chinese Intermediate
- ML1090/ML1190 Advanced Mandarin Chinese Language
- ML1093/ML1193 Mandarin Chinese Language Beginners
- ML1070/ML1270 Mandarin Chinese Language Intermediate
- ML1130 Introduction to Chinese Linguistics
- ML1257 Chinese Society & Culture
- ML2201/ML2202/ML2203 Specialised Translation
- ML1371 Specialised Chinese
Biography
I am currently lecturing at Cardiff University. Prior to joining the Chinese team at Cardiff, I held teaching and research positions at the University of Edinburgh, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Huddersfield and Loughborough University.
Honours and awards
- 2024–2025: ‘Most Outstanding Learning Experience’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2024–2025: ‘Most Outstanding Use of the Learning Environment’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2024–2025: ‘Most Impactful and Outstanding Use of Assessment as Learning’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2024–2025: ‘Learning and Teaching Collaboration of the Year’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2024–2025: ‘Personal Tutor of the Year’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2022–2025: ISB MLANG Funding, Cardiff University, UK (three consecutive years)
- 2023–2024: ‘Most Outstanding Learning Experience’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2023–2024: ‘Learning and Teaching Collaboration of the Year’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2023–2024: ‘Champion for Student Voice & Partnership’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2023–2024: ‘Personal Tutor of the Year’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2022–2023: ‘Most Uplifting Staff Member of the Year’ (Nominated), Cardiff University, UK
- 2008–2011: The Graduate School Conference Fund, Loughborough University, UK (three consecutive years)
- 2009–2010: Great Britain–China Educational Trust: Chinese Student Awards, UK
- 2007–2010: The Overseas Research Studentship (ORS) Award, Higher Education Funding Council for England, UK (three consecutive years)
- 2007–2010: The Research Studentship, Loughborough University, UK (three consecutive years)
- 2007–2010: The Departmental Conference Fund, Department of English and Drama, Loughborough University, UK (three consecutive years)
- 2004–2005: China Scholarship Council, China
Professional memberships
- International Pragmatics Association
- Linguistic Politeness Research Group
- Fellow, Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Committees and reviewing
Reviewing
- Journal of Pragmatics
- Pragmatics
- East Asian Pragmatics
- Journal of Politeness Research
- Journal of Current Chinese Affairs
- Politeness in Historical and Contemporary Chinese (Bloomsbury)
- Toxic Language in East Asia (Routledge)
- Politeness in East Asia (Cambridge University Press)
- Scientific and Technical Translation from English to Chinese (Routledge)
Invited translator for CNKI Journal Translation Project
Co-hosted the 1st International Postgraduate Conference on Linguistic Politeness, 8 March 2013, University of Huddersfield