Dr. Jean Wu received her MA in Foreign Languages from West Virginia University and her Ph.D. in Linguistics from Michigan State University. Her ongoing research involves second language acquisition, pragmatics, comparative syntax and L2 curriculum development. She currently teaches upper division Chinese language courses at UO. Her previous teaching experience includes college-level courses in linguistics, Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities—East Asia, Chinese calligraphy, and the English language.

Dr. Wu supervises the training of Chinese flagship tutors as well as the Chinese language graduate employees that she works with at UO. She has lectured on teaching effectiveness at numerous workshops, including invited talks on the Chinese language and culture. In addition to her roles as Chinese Flagship Academic Director, Chinese Language Program Coordinator and Chinese Major Advisor, she has served on the Executive Committee at EALL and the China Executive Board of Oregon University System. Her other professional experience includes editing and reviewing Chinese language books for publishers in the US.