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Christopher Anderson

Dr Christopher Anderson

Based in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Education

I am a Senior Lecturer in Language and Communication at Canterbury Christ Church University. Prior to working at Christ Church, my career had been in teaching English as a foreign language in adult, further and higher education institutions in the UK and France. I was also part of the MA TEFL/TESL Open Learning Programme team on a part-time basis at the University of Birmingham. I currently direct the BA English Language and Communication programme. As well as teaching on modules in that programme, I am also responsible for teaching on the PhD MA/PgDip TESOL programme and on various English Language teacher training programmes as well as on the Christ Church PhD research training programme. My academic interests lay broadly on the one hand at the interface of language and intercultural communication, and on the other hand, qualitative research methods. More specifically my interests concern how one can research and understand language and intercultural communication behaviour, how one can research and understand language and intercultural competence, and how such research and understanding can inform pedagogy and relate to teacher professionalism.

My areas of expertise are in language and intercultural communication, and in research methods. At undergraduate level I teach on modules on communication (interpersonal & public), intercultural communication and researching language & communication. At postgraduate level I teach modules in the areas of (intercultural) pragmatics, research methods in TESOL, qualitative research, and assessment in language learning & teaching. I am a member of the British Association of Applied Linguistics and the International Association of Languages & Intercultural Communication.

I am currently supervising PhD students in the areas of intercultural communication (cultural identities & IC competence; IC in higher education), linguistic capital in higher education, social media discourse, discourses of critical thinking in second language education, and the discursive construction of ‘culture’ in second language education.

Research Projects

  • «??te ?e ß???a ?????t?!» “Come on you stupid villager!”: Language Attitudes and Ethnic Identity in Crete. Researcher(s): Miss Emily Gkikas. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Alexandra Polyzou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • “IF THERE WERE MALES IN THE HOUSE, IT WOULD BE HORRIBLE”: EXPLORING THE SOCIAL IDENTITY, ADAPTATION AND ACCULTURATION IN STUDY ABROAD. Researcher(s): Mr Nour Eddine Brahimi. Supervisor(s): Dr Alexandra Polyzou, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis of China-related Covers in The Economist (2010-2020): An Investigation of People's Perceptions of China. Researcher(s): Ms Cunjie Li. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • A pragmatic exploration of the effects of counterfactual reasoning tasks on students’ creativity, critical thinking, motivation and resilience.. Researcher(s): Mr Matthew Blanchard. Supervisor(s): Dr Laurent Dessberg, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY OF UK UNIVERSITY ACADEMICS’ COLLABORATIVE PRACTICES: A SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE.. Researcher(s): Mr Abdelaziz Lounaouci. Supervisor(s): Dr Kevin Balchin, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • A Sociolinguistic Study of Code-switching Motivations and Language Attitudes among Multilingual Algerians in the UK. Researcher(s): Miss Amel Ben Said. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • An investigation into English oral communication teaching from the perspective of pragmatics. Researcher(s): Ms Yuexing Wang. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • An Exploration of the Academic Lived experiences of Algerian PhD students within a British University.. Researcher(s): Mrs Soumia Abdelli. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • An investigation into multimodal representation of the concept of ‘happiness’ in Real Estate marketing materials in three linguacultural areas: Anglo-Saxon, Scandinavian and Slavic.. Researcher(s): Mrs Elena McCaffrey. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • An Investigation into the Justification, Validation and Relevance of Practical Science in Secondary Education. Researcher(s): Mr Angus Hope. Supervisor(s): Dr Lee Hazeldine, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • AN INVESTIGATION OF ISLAMIC ARABIC CULUTRES, IDENTITIES, AND INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION NEGOTAITION OF ARAB SUNNI MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN BRTIAN:THE CANTERBURY KENT MOSQUE CASE STUDY. Researcher(s): Mrs Chahrazad Drioueche. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Alexandra Polyzou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • An Investigation of the China English Cultural Lexicon in China English Websites. Researcher(s): Ms Dandan Liu. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Analyzing the impact of language proficiency on the social and economic integration of Ukrainian refugees in the UK.. Researcher(s): Mrs Olena Orlenko. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Application of discourse analysis approach to the teaching of listening skills in Chinese High School International EFL classes. Researcher(s): Miss Yue Yang. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Applied Linguistics research into the etymology of loan words between the English and French Languages.. Researcher(s): Miss Charlie Worthington. Supervisor(s): Dr Alexandra Polyzou, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Challenging obesity bias and stigma in fitness professionals through virtual learning: a critical perspective. Researcher(s): Mr David Lee. Supervisor(s): Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Challenging Perceptions about Critical Thinking': researching the nature and development of criticality through the eyes of Algerian doctoral students in the UK. Researcher(s): Mrs Thiziri Zidouni. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Comparisons between Outsider-and Insider- Media Representations of China: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Articles from Chaguan Column in The Economist and a Chinese External News Website Sixth Tone. Researcher(s): Ms Yanqing Liu. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Conceptual metaphor and political myth analysis in the online discourse of the extreme right-wing Romanian parties after the 2018-2019 political crisis. Researcher(s): Mrs Rodica Aliman. Supervisor(s): Dr Alexandra Polyzou, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Curriculum development and syllabus design: An investigation and analysis into the teaching and learning processes of English language textbooks in Cameroon.. Researcher(s): Mr Augustine Toko. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Discourses of Immigration: Racist representations of the Eastern European ‘Other’ in the UK. Researcher(s): Dr Deanna Demetriou. Supervisor(s): Dr Alexandra Polyzou, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • Discursive construction of ideology of ‘native-speakerism’ in English language teaching/learning in media discourse from the 1990s onwards in Japan.. Researcher(s): Ms Chie Tsurii. Supervisor(s): Professor Adrian Holliday, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Miss Imane Boufaden. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Alexandra Polyzou. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Dr Ibtisam Boutemedjet. Supervisor(s): Dr Alexandra Polyzou, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • Explore ‘mature; lifelong learner identities, individual wellbeing and academic engagement of ‘older’ undergraduates. Researcher(s): Mrs Sherralyn Simpson. Supervisor(s): Dr Christian Beighton, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Exploring Students’ attitude towards developing their intercultural communication in the process of learning English as a foreign language. Researcher(s): Ms Rofida Benmansour. Supervisor(s): Dr Diana Freeman, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Exploring the ideologies and identities of Japanese university EFL students: The discursive construction of Japaneseness and Others. Researcher(s): Mr Martin Mielick. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Exploring the narratives of Black Female Leaders in Education. Researcher(s): Mrs Sarah Giokabari. Supervisor(s): Dr Anne Chant, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Home or away-(re) negotiating identity through living in the ‘in-between’: A qualitative investigation of the Kurdish diaspora in the United Kingdom. Researcher(s): Mrs Chra Mahmud. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • How can ESP and OBE concept within ESP curriculum improve engineering students’ employability in Chinese employment-oriented universities?. Researcher(s): Mr Guo Sheng Xu. Supervisor(s): Dr Kevin Balchin, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Imaging the Second Language Autonomous Learner: A Study of the Relationship Between ESOL Learners’ Autonomy and Identity Development in the UK. Researcher(s): Miss Courage Njeatih. Supervisor(s): Dr Kevin Balchin, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • INTERNATIONALIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND PERSPECTIVES ON THE GLOBAL UNIVERSITY. Researcher(s): Dr ZAHRA KEMICHE. Supervisor(s): Dr Christian Beighton, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Investigating Digital English Language Learning Practices and Beliefs in Higher Education Institutions. Researcher(s): Mr Jonathan Newcombe. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Is it a Transformation? Exploring the English Academic Writing Experience at UK Universities among the Algerian Multilingual PhD Students and Me as a Participant-researcher. Researcher(s): Ms Naoual Rahmani. Supervisor(s): Dr Diana Freeman, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Learning Development (LD) professional identity in Higher Education (HE) and its place in Academia.. Researcher(s): Mrs Silvina Bishopp-Martin. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • PEDAGOGIES OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN ALGERIAN MIDDLE SCHOOLS: A SOCIOCULTURAL ANALYSIS OF A MULTILINGUAL SETTING. Researcher(s): Miss Souaad Snoussi. Supervisor(s): Dr Christian Beighton, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Politeness as a Strategy to Overcome Cultural Barriers in Communication: Attitudes and Perceptions of British University Lecturers and International Students. Researcher(s): Ms Khadidja Cherguelaine. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Political and cultural hegemony in documentaries: a Critical Analysis of geopolitical issues in travel and cultural documentaries broadcasted on British television. Researcher(s): Dr JACOPO CASTALDI. Supervisor(s): Dr Alexandra Polyzou, Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Andy Birtwistle. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Support for visually impaired students in further education. Researcher(s): Mrs Josie Grainger. Supervisor(s): Dr John-Paul Riordan, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • The Implication of Socio-Cultural Theory to Incorporate the 4C's Skills; Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration and Creativity in the EFL Context. Researcher(s): Miss Asmaa Zitouni. Supervisor(s): Dr Diana Freeman, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • The paths teachers take - a narrative inquiry into TESOL teacher careers in North Africa.. Researcher(s): Mr Nick Baguley. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • The Question of Representation : Qualitative study of Algerian Teachers of English Perceptions of Cultural Depictions in Textbooks.. Researcher(s): Mrs Amel Keteb. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • THE REPRESENTATION OF THE ANGLOPHONE CULTURES IN THE ALGERIAN EFL TEXTBOOKS: TEACHER’S BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES.. Researcher(s): Miss FATMA REZIG. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Dr Alexandra Polyzou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Translanguaging in multilingual classrooms within Anglophone HE; a multi-case study of Business Faculties/Departments in the UK. Researcher(s): Ms Anna Demkowicz-Dobrzanska. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Voicing Teachers'Perceptions and Practices of ESP: A Case Study of Algerian Higher Education ESP Teachers.. Researcher(s): Ms Soumia Bouhafs. Supervisor(s): Dr Christopher Anderson, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • What is Research? Exploration of practicing teachers views on the constitution and nature of educational research. Researcher(s): Ms Charlotte Cooper. Supervisor(s): Professor Lynn Revell, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Who am I? An exploration of racial identity and self within a multicultural world.. Researcher(s): Mr Thomas Vitulli. Supervisor(s): Dr Anne Chant, Dr Christopher Anderson. [Postgraduate Research Project]

Publications and research outputs

Anderson, . (forthcoming) '‘DFLs versus ‘Locals’- Discursive conflict on social media and the battle for regional identity'.In: Evans, D. (ed.) Language, Identity and Symbolic Culture London: Bloomsbury

Anderson, C. (March 2017) 'Ethics in Qualitative Language Education Research' In: Seyyed-Abdolhamid Mirhosseini (ed.) Reflections on qualitative research in language and literacy education New York City: Springer Publishing

Anderson, C. (2013) ‘Evaluating Qualitative Research: Issues of Reliability and Validity’ In: M. Lengeling, I.M. Pablo & J. Ashley-Shanahan Qualitative Research and Interpretation: Selection of articles from the Third International Qualitative Research Conference. Guanajuato, México: Ediciones Universitarias. pp541-562

Anderson, C. (2013) ‘Evaluating Qualitative Research: Issues of Reliability and Validity’ In: M. Lengeling, I.M. Pablo & J. Ashley-Shanahan Qualitative Research and Interpretation: Selection of articles from the Third International Qualitative Research Conference. Guanajuato, México: Ediciones Universitarias. pp541-562.

Anderson, C. (2004) ‘Review of Critical Citizens for an Intercultural World: Foreign Language Education as Cultural Politics by M. Guilherme.’ The Journal of Language, Identity and Education. 3/3:229-234.

Anderson, C. (2003) ‘Phillipson’s Children’ The Journal of Language and Intercultural Communication 3/1:81-95.

Anderson, C. (2002) ‘Review of Foreign Language and Culture Learning from a Dialogic Perspective by C. Morgan & A. Cain.’ BAAL News 72/Autumn: 26-28.

Anderson, C. (2002) ‘Review of Language Learners as Ethnographers by C. Roberts, M. Byram, A. Barro, S. Jordan & B. Street’ BAAL News 71/ Summer: 27-30

Anderson, C. (2002) 'Understanding texts, understanding cultures' In: Zaki, A. & M. Najbi (eds) The Teaching and Assessment of English for Global Purposes: Proceedings of MATE 21st Annual Conference pp145-162.

Anderson, C. (2002) 'Subject Knowledge and the ESP professional' In: Zaki, A. & M. Najbi (eds) The Teaching and Assessment of English for Global Purposes: Proceedings of MATE 21st Annual Conference pp133-143