As Director of the Centre for Language and Linguistics, Kevin's role encompasses managing the work of the Centre as well as research and PhD supervision.
Director of the Centre for Language and Linguistics.
In addition to PhD supervision, Kevin has contributed to a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses including the MA TESOL, BA English Language & Linguistics, the CELTA course and short course courses for English language teachers visiting from overseas.
Kevin's recent research has focused on the role of technology in English language education. He has also written and presented at international conferences on various aspects of English language teaching and learning including teacher reflection, individual learner differences and silent students.
Research Projects
- “THE WEST AND US”: AN EXPLORATION OF IDEOLOGICAL POSITIONS AND IDENTITIES WITHIN AN ALGERIAN EFL SETTING. Researcher(s): Dr Amira-Sarra Hiouani. Supervisor(s): Dr Kevin Balchin, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
- 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]
- An Analysis of the EFL Learning Beliefs of Engineering Students in China's Application-Oriented Universities. Researcher(s): LADY Ying Wang. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON LANGUAGE LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT: A STUDY OF LEARNERS’ EXPERIENCES, BELIEFS, AND AUTONOMY. Researcher(s): Dr Moncef Bendebiche. Supervisor(s): Dr Kevin Balchin, Dr Alexandra Polyzou. [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]
- BRIDGING TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: AN EXPLORATION OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN TECHNOLOGY-ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING WITHIN AN ALGERIAN EFL SETTING.. Researcher(s): Miss Fayza Bouzaki. Supervisor(s): Dr Kevin Balchin, Dr Alexandra Polyzou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- Exploring reflection in pre-service teacher education: a social perspective on the application, value and factors influencing reflection. Researcher(s): Miss Soumia Boumaza. Supervisor(s): Dr Kevin Balchin, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- Exploring The Experiences of Algerian EFL Learners with Informal Language Learning: The personal narratives of Algerian postgraduate students.. Researcher(s): Mrs Lemya Tourche. Supervisor(s): Dr Anne Chant, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- How can ESP and OBE concept within ESP curriculum improve engineering students’ employability in Chinese employment-oriented universities?. Researcher(s): Mr Guosheng 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]
- Immersive Technology in the Secondary School Classroom: can 3D colourised imaging of historical objects develop students’ understanding of the diversity of human experiences of the past?. Researcher(s): Mrs Faye Wills. Supervisor(s): Dr Lee Hazeldine, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- Improving the English reading proficiency of the left-behind teenage students in rural China. Researcher(s): Mrs Dan Gong. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Kevin Balchin. [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]
- Investigating EFL Students’ Use of Mobile Phone Applications for Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition: The Case of Third Year University Students at Bejaia University.. Researcher(s): Mrs Sylia Iskounen. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- Investigating EFL students’ use of vocabulary learning strategies in an Algerian context. Researcher(s): Miss Chahira Fortas. Supervisor(s): Dr Diana Freeman, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- Investigating the effectiveness of blended learning and traditional learning in developing oral proficiency in Chinese higher education.. Researcher(s): Ms Kun Niu. Supervisor(s): Dr Kevin Balchin, Professor Adrian Holliday. [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]
- Malaysian English Teachers’ Perceptions towards Professional Learning Communities (PLC). Researcher(s): Mr Lip Vi Teoh. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacopo Castaldi, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- PhD journey in UK universities: International students’ affective responses and type of support needed. Researcher(s): Miss Dounyazad Sour. Supervisor(s): Dr Diana Freeman, Dr Kevin Balchin. [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]
- Silent students with voices: An exploration of students' silence and participation in an Algerian EFL setting.. Researcher(s): Miss Siham Djedid. Supervisor(s): Dr Kevin Balchin, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- Students’ Perceptions of Blended Learning in English Public Speaking: A Case Study in Chinese Higher Education. Researcher(s): Ms Huiwen Wang. Supervisor(s): Dr Diana Freeman, Dr Kevin Balchin. [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]
- Umbrellas, funnels and fans: A narrative inquiry into the lived experiences of subject middle leaders in English secondary schools. Researcher(s): Mr Dominic Burrell. Supervisor(s): Dr Nicola Kemp, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
- Use of humour in the secondary school classroom. Researcher(s): Mr Anton Evans. Supervisor(s): Dr Christian Beighton, Dr Kevin Balchin. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Recent Conference Presentations:
July 2023 - Plenary Speaker, 9th International Conference on Culture, Languages and Literature (ICCLL 2023), NPU, Xian, China: Reflecting on student teacher reflection: broadening the scope.
July 2023 - Cutting Edges, Canterbury, UK: Communicative adaptation of Ukrainians who fled the war to life in the U.K.
June 2022 - Invited Speaker, International Technology-Enhanced Language Learning Symposium (virtual), UKM, Selangor, Malaysia: Exploring teachers’ capacity to engage with remote English language teaching environments: the interface between theory and practice.
May 2022 - ISTAL25, Thessaloniki, Greece: Teachers’ knowledge and skills for online English language teaching: the interface between theory and practice.
June 2021 - IATEFL Virtual Conference: Letting silent students speak or be silent if they prefer (with Siham Djedid).
February 2020 - Invited Speaker, 2nd Symposium on Technology Enhanced Language Learning, UKM, Selangor, Malaysia: The balance between pedagogical and technological knowledge in ELT
Nov 2019 - Plenary Speaker, International Conference on Teaching English in the Post Method Era: Challenges, Possibilities and Solutions, University of Kerala, India: (Are we really in) the post method era?
July 2019 - Invited Speaker, 1st Symposium on Technology Enhanced Language Learning, UKM, Selangor, Malaysia: Developing technology use in English language teaching
June 2018 - Cutting Edges, Canterbury, UK: What’s the point of asking student teachers to reflect?
May 2018 - Language in Focus Conference, Thessaloniki, Greece: Developing technology use in language classrooms through communities of practice.
May 2017 - Invited Speaker, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur: The role of communities of practice in integrating technology into ELT classrooms.
- Exploring teachers’ capacity to engage with remote English language teaching environments: The interface between theory and practice Balchin, K., Linehan, A., Norris, D., (15 Apr 2023), Optimizing Online English Language Learning and Teaching. Cham: Springer. [Book chapter]
- Exploring teachers’ capacity to engage with remote English language teaching environments Balchin, K., International Technology-Enhanced Language Learning Symposium (virtual). [Conference paper]
- Letting students speak, or be silent if they prefer Balchin, K., Djedid, S., (2022). Faversham, UK. [Book]
- Teachers’ knowledge and skills for online English language teaching: the interface between theory and practice Balchin, K., ISTAL25. [Conference paper]
- Using instructional technologies to cater for individual learner differences Balchin, K., Bouzaki, F., (30 Jul 2022). [Journal article]
- Letting silent students speak or be silent if they prefer Balchin, K., Djedid, S., IATEFL Annual Conference. [Conference paper]
- Exploring the role of context and collaboration in normalising technology use in English language teaching in secondary schools in Malaysia Balchin, K., Wild, C., (18 Aug 2020): Routledge. [Journal article]
- Exploring the role of recently-qualified English teachers in developing technology use in language classrooms through communities of practice Balchin, K., Wild, C., (24 Oct 2016). London: British Council. [Research report]