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Staff Profile

Dr Christopher Leyland

Senior Lecturer

  • Telephone: +44 (0)191 222 6000
  • Address: Newcastle University,
    School of ECLS,
    Room 2.02 King George VI Building,
    Queen Victoria Road,
    Newcastle upon Tyne,
    NE1 7RU
Background

Background


Dr Christopher Leyland is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at Newcastle University and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He teaches and researches in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences (ECLS), where he directs the MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL programme and has previously led the Integrated PhD in Educational and Applied Linguistics.


Christopher’s research focuses on the interactional practices that underpin language learning, assessment, and pedagogy, drawing on Conversation Analysis to explore how second language learners and teachers facilitate and display L2 Interactional Competence. His work spans diverse contexts, including English language classrooms and academic writing tutorials to creative workshops supporting people living with dementia. He has published widely in leading journals such as Classroom Discourse, Journal of Pragmatics, Language and Education, and Linguistics and Education.


Alongside research, Christopher has a strong track record in curriculum innovation. He recently led the design and approval of the MA TESOL+ suite, comprising three new programmes: MA TESOL, MA TESOL and Digital Technology, and MA TESOL and Intercultural Communication. These programmes integrate cutting-edge pedagogical approaches, digital tools, and intercultural perspectives, offering students flexible pathways aligned with global professional needs.


Christopher is actively engaged in international collaboration. He served as a postdoctoral researcher at Kobe University, Japan, funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and hold a high level of Japanese language proficiency. He is also leading Newcastle’s hosting of the ICOP-L2 International Conference in 2026.


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SCOPUS: Click here.


Research

Research Interests


My research focuses on applied linguistics and communication, with a particular emphasis on Conversation Analysis (CA) as a method for investigating language learning, assessment, and pedagogical interaction. I am interested in how interactional practices shape second language development, classroom discourse, and the design of language tests. Much of my work explores second language interactional competence in speaking assessments and oral placement tests, as well as the ways teachers and learners co-construct opportunities for learning through talk.


I also work on academic writing support for international students, examining advice-giving sequences and the interactional construction of expertise in writing tutorials. Beyond higher education, I have collaborated on interdisciplinary projects, including studies of co-creativity and choice-making in dementia care workshops, highlighting how interactional resources enable participation and agency.


PhD Supervision


I welcome PhD applications in the following areas:

  • Conversation Analysis applied to language learning, assessment, and classroom interaction.
  • Interactional Competence in second language contexts.
  • Language testing and assessment practices.
  • Cross-cultural communication and multilingual interaction.
  • Interaction involving people living with dementia


Teaching

I teach across postgraduate programmes in Applied Linguistics and Communication at Newcastle University. My current modules include:


  • Language Learning (ALC8026) – exploring theories and practices of second language acquisition.
  • Discourse Analysis for Second Language Teachers (ALC8031) – introducing conversation analytic approaches to classroom interaction.

Previously, I have led modules such as:


  • TESOL for Young Learners (ALC8029)
  • Applied Linguistics in Higher Education (ALC8112)


All modules have been designed and implemented to integrate research-informed pedagogy, inclusive practices, and active learning strategies.



Publications