Charlene Polio is an American applied linguist and a distinguished scholar in the field of second language writing and assessment. She is currently a Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian, and African Languages at Michigan State University.
Education and Career
Polio earned her Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her academic career has largely been focused on research, teaching, and mentoring in applied linguistics, with a particular emphasis on the pedagogical and theoretical aspects of second language acquisition and writing. She has been a faculty member at Michigan State University for several decades, contributing significantly to its programs in applied linguistics and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).Research and Contributions
Polio's research primarily investigates various aspects of second language writing. Her work is influential in areas such as:- Second Language Writing Assessment: She has conducted extensive research on the reliability and validity of different methods for assessing second language writing proficiency, including direct and indirect measures, rubric development, and rater training.
- Grammar and Writing: Polio has explored the role of grammar in second language writing, focusing on how grammatical knowledge translates into written output and how instructors can effectively teach grammar in the context of writing.
- Feedback on Writing: Her research also delves into the effectiveness of various types of feedback (e.g., direct correction, indirect feedback, peer feedback) on improving second language learners' writing.
- Error Analysis: She has contributed to the understanding of L2 learner errors in writing and their implications for teaching and learning.
- Teaching Second Language Writing: Polio's work often informs best practices for teaching writing to non-native speakers of English, bridging theory and pedagogy.
She has published numerous articles in top-tier journals in applied linguistics, including Journal of Second Language Writing, Language Learning, TESOL Quarterly, and Applied Linguistics. Polio has also presented her research extensively at international conferences and served on editorial boards for major journals in her field.