Huiyan Li

Visiting Scholar

Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, Languages and World Literatures

Office: 366
Email: huiyan.li@ubc.ca

Research Summary

Cognitive linguistics and applied linguistics, English education and linguistics pedagogy

Biography

Huiyan Li is an Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor in English Education at the Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, School of Foreign Languages and Literature, China. She received her PhD in Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics from Hunan Normal University in 2022, with a dissertation focusing on the cognitive study of Chinese non-compositional folk sayings. She holds a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature from Sun Yat-sen University and a Bachelor’s degree in English Teaching from Hunan Institute of Science and Technology.

Her academic career includes roles as Assistant Teacher, Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Dean of the College Foreign Languages Teaching Department. Li Huiyan has published extensively in the fields of cognitive linguistics, applied linguistics, discourse analysis, and English education, and has led or participated in multiple national, provincial, and ministerial research projects. Her research has been recognized with several awards, including the National Scholarship of the Ministry of Education of China.

In addition to her research, she is actively involved in English language teaching, postgraduate supervision, and educational reform, particularly in informationized and MOOC-based instruction. She has also contributed to cultural communication and rural education initiatives and holds national utility model patents related to English listening and speaking training devices.

Dr. Huiyan teaches a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English language education and applied linguistics. Her teaching subjects include College English, Postgraduate English, English Curriculum Standards and Textbook Analysis, Cognitive Linguistics, and Educational Research. She also teaches practice-oriented courses such as Educational Practice and Educational Observation, which focus on teacher training and classroom-based research. (No courses taught by Li Huiyan in UBCO during her visiting period: Nov. 2025-Nov, 2026)

Degrees

PhD in Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Hunan Normal University (2022); Master’s degree in English Language and Literature, Sun Yat-sen University (2010); Bachelor of Arts in English Teaching, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology (2008)

Research Interests & Projects

Dr. Huiyan’s research interests primarily focus on cognitive linguistics and applied linguistics, with particular emphasis on Chinese folk idioms and non-compositional folk sayings from cognitive and cognitive sociolinguistic perspectives. Her work explores the cognitive mechanisms, semantic features, normalization, and sociocultural functions of Chinese folk idioms, new words, and internet expressions. She is also interested in cognitive semantics, language innovation, and discourse analysis.

In addition, her research extends to English education and linguistics pedagogy, including informationized and MOOC-based teaching reform, curriculum standards and textbook analysis, and ideological-political integration in college English courses. She also engages in cultural communication studies, especially the international dissemination of traditional Chinese culture such as Yuezhou Kiln culture, and interdisciplinary studies combining language, culture, and education.

Selected Publications & Presentations

Huiyan Li has published scholarly articles mainly in the fields of cognitive linguistics, applied linguistics, discourse analysis, and cultural communication. Her research focuses on Chinese folk idioms, new words and expressions, cognitive semantics, language normalization, and cultural discourse. Her representative publications include studies on the cognitive and cultural interpretation of Chinese folk idioms, analyses of supernormal and internet-originated Chinese expressions, and discourse-functional analysis of political speech. In addition, she has co-authored interdisciplinary studies on the cultural communication and historical development of Yuezhou Kiln, combining linguistic research with cultural and historical perspectives.

Selected Grants & Awards

Huiyan has received and led multiple competitive research grants at national, provincial, and institutional levels, primarily in the areas of cognitive linguistics, Chinese folk idioms, applied linguistics, and English education reform. Her funded projects include grants from the Hunan Provincial Department of Education, the Hunan Provincial Social Science Foundation, and the Ministry of Education of China, covering topics such as cognitive and sociolinguistic studies of Chinese folk idioms, non-constructional folk sayings, and informationized and MOOC-based teaching reform in linguistics and college English courses. She has also secured funding for graduate research innovation, industry–academia collaborative education, teacher education and internship models, and cultural communication projects related to the international dissemination of traditional Chinese culture.

Awards & Distinctions

Huiyan Li has received numerous academic, teaching, and professional honors in recognition of her excellence in research, education, and service. Her major distinctions include the National Scholarship of the Ministry of Education of China, multiple Outstanding Student Awards at Hunan Normal University, and the title of Outstanding Undergraduate Student of Hunan Province. She has been recognized as an Outstanding Supervisor of Postgraduates, a Young Backbone Teacher in Hunan Province, and a Double-skilled Teacher at Hunan Institute of Science and Technology.

Her teaching and research achievements have earned provincial and institutional awards, including prizes for teaching achievements, academic papers, and ideological-political education in postgraduate courses. She has also been honored as an Outstanding CPC Member and selected as a High-level Talent by the Yueyang Municipal Committee. In addition, she has received awards for teaching competitions, innovation and entrepreneurship instruction, and social service and rural education initiatives.

Professional Services/Affiliations/Committees

Huiyan has actively contributed to academic administration, professional service, and educational evaluation. She has served as Dean of the College Foreign Languages Teaching Department and currently works as an Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor in English Education at Hunan Institute of Science and Technology. She is also an Interview Examiner for the Primary and Secondary School Teacher Qualification Examination in Hunan Province, contributing to teacher certification and quality assurance.

In addition, she serves as a Postgraduate Supervisor, an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Instructor, and a Technology Innovation Instructor at her institution. Huiyan Li has been actively involved in curriculum reform, ideological–political education in higher education, and informationized teaching initiatives. Her professional service further includes participation in rural education and cultural communication programs, such as national volunteer initiatives promoting red culture and traditional Chinese culture dissemination.