Heesu Oh

Ph.D. Second Language Education, Nagoya University M.A. East Asian Studies, University of Arizona / Second Language Education, Nagoya University

Heesu Oh is a researcher in second language acquisition and bilingualism, as well as an experienced Japanese language educator who has taught all levels of Japanese. Her research examines the beliefs of both learners and instructors about Japanese language learning and teaching, and how bilingual and bicultural individuals navigate their linguistic identities within multiple linguistic and cultural contexts. Her work explores how these experiences inform and enrich Japanese language education.

Her first book, The Bilinguals’ World You Don’t Know: Japanese Language Teachers’ Reading Series (『あなたの知らないバイリンガルの世界: 日本語教師読本』, WebJapanese, 2022), offers key insights into bilingualism in Japanese education. The book highlights the linguistic rights of international children and provides essential guidance for Japanese language teachers working with bilingual students. Dr. Oh’s research advocates for recognizing bilingual children’s language choices as integral to their personal, cultural, and educational development.

Before joining Michigan State University, Dr. Oh taught Japanese language and courses on bilingualism and Japanese sociolinguistics at Nagoya University, the University of Arizona, and Grinnell College. At MSU, she teaches courses across all levels of Japanese language, as well as Japanese sociolinguistics.