Dr Xiaolong Tang PGCert, MA (Lond), MA (Bham), PhD, SFHEA

• LTA Tennis Coach (Level 1), The Lawn Tennis Association, UK
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• PhD in Modern languages
• MA in Translation Studies
• MA in Electronic Business Management
• PG Certificate in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCFOL)

My career in language and cultural studies brings together extensive teaching experience and a strong interdisciplinary academic background. Before joining the University of Birmingham, I taught at several leading institutions, including Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), and SOAS, University of London. Working across these diverse environments allowed me to refine my teaching practice and contribute to a wide range of language and cultural programmes.

My academic journey has been intentionally broad. I first completed a master’s degree in Electronic Business, which gave me a solid grounding in digital systems, followed by a second master’s in Translation Studies that deepened my understanding of language, culture, and intercultural communication. These interests converged in my PhD at the University of Birmingham, where I explored the transformative potential of technology in language learning and teaching. My doctoral research examined how digital tools can enhance student engagement and support the development of advanced linguistic and cultural competencies.

At Birmingham, I play an active role in shaping both undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. I design and deliver modules that integrate established pedagogical methods with innovative approaches aimed at fostering critical intercultural awareness and developing students’ autonomy as learners.

My research focuses on curriculum and course design, with a particular interest in the use of digital technologies. I investigate how online platforms and emerging tools can create flexible, inclusive, and engaging learning environments that bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application.

My commitment to pedagogical innovation and student success has been recognised through an Excellence in Teaching and Supporting Student Learning award. I also develop practical digital resources, including the mobile app HANZI, and have contributed a recent book chapter on the use of real-life materials in language-learning apps.

Looking ahead, I remain dedicated to advancing the role of technology in language and culture education, expanding opportunities for intercultural learning, and contributing to the field through research and creative pedagogical practice.

My current doctoral supervision covers the following areas:

A study exploring how emerging automated technologies enhance teaching and learning, transform educators’ professional roles, and foster personalised instructional practices in Chinese universities.
A comparative analysis of religious elements in Hawkes’ and Yang’s translations of ‘Hong Lou Meng’.
An investigation into the media landscape of ‘danmei’ audio dramas on Chinese social media platforms - particularly Douyin (抖音) - examining how creators and fans navigate and resist censorship.
A study that looks into the approaches for translating and dubbing dialects in Chinese literature and audiovisual work.

My research focuses on curriculum and course design, specifically exploring how digital technologies - online platforms and emerging tools - can create flexible, inclusive, and engaging learning environments that successfully link theory and practice.

Dissemination of Research and Participation in Academic Events 

• Invited speaker at the 2025 Symposium on Chinese Language Teaching in UK Higher Education, organised by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (UK), Ministry of Education, China (09 November 2025).
• Served as a chef judge for the 5^th Chinese Competition of Charitable Projects & Business Innovations for UK University Students, organised by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (UK), Ministry of Education, China (05 June 2025).
• Served as a judge for the 3^rd Chinese Teaching Skills Competition for English-Speaking regions in Europe, organised by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (UK), Ministry of Education, China (09 March 2024).
• Invited speaker on using authentic materials in language learning apps at the 7th International Conference on Chinese as a Second Language Research held by Peking University (17-18 August 2023)
• Researching into the Use of Real-life Materials in Language Learning Apps – A Case Study of the HANZI app for Learning Chinese Characters jointly presented with KAN Qian at the 18th International Conference on Teaching and Learning Chinese in Higher Education, organised by the British Chinese Language Teaching Society (5-7 July 2021).
• Served as a judge for the 2^nd Chinese Competition of Charitable Projects & Business Innovations for UK University Students, organised by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (UK), Ministry of Education, China (10 April 2021).
• A committee member and judge for the First National Business Chinese Competition for UK University Students sponsored by the Chinese Proficiency Test Committee, Ministry of Education, China (December 2019 - June 2020).
• Invited keynote speaker at the Business Chinese teaching forum: “The Management of Business Chinese Language Courses” and “Using Digital Tooling to Present Business Proposals”, SOAS, University of London (20 June 2020).
• Served as a judge for the 17th Annual Mandarin Speaking Competition organised by the UK Association for the Promotion of Chinese Education (29 June 2019).
• Guest speaker for the China Year Abroad (YA) programme “YA briefings – enhancing students’ awareness of cultural differences” at the London School of Economics (22 September 2017).
• Guest speaker for the “Current Situation and Prospect of Chinese Language Teaching at UK Universities” at SOAS, University of London (15 May 2015).
• Invited speaker on teaching L2 Chinese characters for university degree language courses at Imperial College London (9 June 2014).

External Examining

• Newcastle University
• University of Nottingham
• Keele University

• De Montfort University

Professional affiliations

• Member of the British Association for Chinese Studies (BACS)
• Member of the British Chinese Language Teaching Society (BCLTS)