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The Department of
Asian Studies

Xianmin Liu

Principal Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies (Chinese)

I did my undergraduate study in English at Beijing Foreign Studies University in China. I earned my Master's degree and doctoral degree in Chinese Linguistics at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) in 1995. After teaching at the University of Oregon, Ohio University, and Harvard University, I joined the faculty at Vanderbilt in 1999.

Specializations

  • Chinese Linguistics
  • Pedagogical Grammar
  • Language and Culture

Representative Publications

Books:

  • Understanding Verbal Complements (co-authored). Peking University Press, Beijing, China. 2022
  • Chinese for Living in China Vol.2 (co-authored). Peking University Press. Beijing, China. 2016
  • Chinese for Living in China Vol.1 (co-authored). Peking University Press. Beijing, China. 2014
  • Scenario Chinese- A Multi-Skill Chinese Course for Beginning and Intermediate Students Vol.1 (co-authored).  World Publishing Inc.  Beijing, China. 2008
  • Scenario Chinese- A Multi-Skill Chinese Course for Beginning and Intermediate Students Vol.2 (co-authored).  World Publishing Inc.  Beijing, China. 2008
  • Reality Chinese—A Multi-Skill Chinese Course for Intermediate and Advanced Students Vol.1 (co-authored).  World Publishing Inc.  Beijing, China. 2006
  • Reality Chinese—A Multi-Skill Chinese Course for Intermediate and Advanced Students Vol.2 (co-authored).  World Publishing Inc.  Beijing, China. 2006

 

Articles:

  • "Four effective teaching methods for grammar instruction," In Chinese as a Foreign/Second language in the Study Abroad Context, Kunshan Lee, et al. Ed. Beijing University Press.
  • Book review of Urban Chinese: Mandarin in 21st Century China by Klayman, Gerald and Yunfeng Zhao. Beijing: Beijing Language University Press. 2004. The Modern Language Journal (MLJ) 90.4.
  • "Some overlooked issues in Chinese grammar instruction," In Chinese Language Instructional Materials and Pedagogy, Tao-chung Yao, et al. Ed. Beijing Language and Culture University Press.
  • The verb-copying construction and imperfectivity. Journal of Chinese Language Teachers Association, 32:3.
  • The Semantics and Pragmatic Function of Yige in Chinese., Journal of the Chinese Language Teachers Association Vol. 39:1.