James Corcoran
Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
Associate Professor
Office: Ross Building, S533
Phone: 416-736-2100 Ext: 44518
Email: corcora2@yorku.ca
Primary website: ResearchGate
Secondary website: ORCID
Media Requests Welcome
Accepting New Graduate Students
I am an Associate Professor of English as a Second Language & Applied Linguistics in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at York University. My research interests include language teacher education, (critical) English for specific/academic purposes, and relations of power in global academic knowledge production. My teaching includes work with plurilingual undergraduate students, graduate students, and language teacher candidates. *Additional Languages: Portuguese; Spanish; French. You can find my publications here https://www.researchgate.net/profile/J_N_Corcoran
Degrees
PhD in Language & Literacy Education, OISE/University of TorontoMA in Second Language Education, OISE/University of Toronto
BEd in Teaching English as a Second Language, McGill University
Research Interests
- SSHRC Explore Grant - 2019
- LAPS Travel Grant - 2019
- Renison University College Research Grant - 2018 & 2019
- University of Toronto Senior Doctoral Fellowship - 2014
- SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship - 2012
- CGS SSHRC Master's - 2008
- Glendon College Travel Award - 2017
- University of Toronto SGS Travel Award - 2013
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship - 2007; 2008; 2011; 2013; 2014
Current Research Projects
-
Summary:
This mixed methods project investigates the research writing landscape at a bilingual Canadian college, highlighting the collective and individual practices of plurilingual faculty.
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2022
End Date:
- Month: Dec Year: 2025
Collaborator: Fiona Patterson
-
Summary:
A qualitative investigation of the longer term impact of a particular intensive pedagogical intervention on plurilingual scientists' research writing beliefs, practices, and outcomes.
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2019
-
Summary:
Mixed methods investigation into the diverse English as an additional language programming taking place at Canadian colleges and universities. This investigation also endeavours to better understand the lived experiences and professional satisfaction of EAP administrators and instructors at Canadian post-secondary institutions.
Start Date:
- Month: Sep Year: 2019
Collaborator: Julia Williams
Collaborator Institution: Renison University College - University of Waterloo
Funders:
SSHRC Explore
English as the dominant language of scientific research writing. Survey and
interview data were collected from 55 Latin American health and life scientists
and 7 North American scientific journal editors connected to an intensive
scholarly writing for publication course. Study findings point to competing
perceptions (scientists vs. editors) of fairness in the adjudication of Latin
American scientists’ research at international scientific journals. Adopting a
critical, plurilingual lens, I argue that these findings demand a space for more
equity-driven pedagogies, policies, and reflective practices aimed at supporting
the robust participation of plurilingual scientists who use English as an
additional language (EAL). In particular, if equity is indeed a shared goal, there
is a clear need for commitment to ongoing critical self-reflection on the part of
scientific journal gatekeepers and research writing support specialists.
English as the dominant language of scientific research writing. Survey and
interview data were collected from 55 Latin American health and life scientists
and 7 North American scientific journal editors connected to an intensive
scholarly writing for publication course. Study findings point to competing
perceptions (scientists vs. editors) of fairness in the adjudication of Latin
American scientists’ research at international scientific journals. Adopting a
critical, plurilingual lens, I argue that these findings demand a space for more
equity-driven pedagogies, policies, and reflective practices aimed at supporting
the robust participation of plurilingual scientists who use English as an
additional language (EAL). In particular, if equity is indeed a shared goal, there
is a clear need for commitment to ongoing critical self-reflection on the part of
scientific journal gatekeepers and research writing support specialists.
Approach to Teaching
I am interested in developing students' academic literacies, including their ability to effectively communicate within their disciplinary communities. My approach includes facilitating development of critical thinking skills, whether it be at the undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate level. My teaching responds to 21st century student needs and objectives, and strives to be dynamic and responsive to the ever changing nature of these needs in the "knowledge economy". I take a critical, plurilingual pedagogical approach that sees language(s) as "resource" rather than "problem", thus positioning scholars using English as an additional language as pluri-competent as they develop their awareness of how language can be used to create, maintain, and/or challenge relations of power.
Current Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2025 | GS/LAL6235 3.0 | M | English SpecificPurposes:Theory/Practice | SEMR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/TESL3200 6.0 | A | Methodology of Teaching English | BLEN |
Upcoming Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | GS/LAL6220 3.0 | A | Advanced Topics in Applied Linguistics | ONLN |
I am an Associate Professor of English as a Second Language & Applied Linguistics in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at York University. My research interests include language teacher education, (critical) English for specific/academic purposes, and relations of power in global academic knowledge production. My teaching includes work with plurilingual undergraduate students, graduate students, and language teacher candidates. *Additional Languages: Portuguese; Spanish; French. You can find my publications here https://www.researchgate.net/profile/J_N_Corcoran
Degrees
PhD in Language & Literacy Education, OISE/University of TorontoMA in Second Language Education, OISE/University of Toronto
BEd in Teaching English as a Second Language, McGill University
Research Interests
Awards
- SSHRC Explore Grant - 2019
- LAPS Travel Grant - 2019
- Renison University College Research Grant - 2018 & 2019
- University of Toronto Senior Doctoral Fellowship - 2014
- SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship - 2012
- CGS SSHRC Master's - 2008
- Glendon College Travel Award - 2017
- University of Toronto SGS Travel Award - 2013
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship - 2007; 2008; 2011; 2013; 2014
Current Research Projects
-
Summary:
This mixed methods project investigates the research writing landscape at a bilingual Canadian college, highlighting the collective and individual practices of plurilingual faculty.
Project Type: FundedRole: Principle Investigator
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2022
End Date:
- Month: Dec Year: 2025
Collaborator: Fiona Patterson
-
Summary:
A qualitative investigation of the longer term impact of a particular intensive pedagogical intervention on plurilingual scientists' research writing beliefs, practices, and outcomes.
Project Type: FundedRole: Lead Investigator
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2019
-
Summary:
Mixed methods investigation into the diverse English as an additional language programming taking place at Canadian colleges and universities. This investigation also endeavours to better understand the lived experiences and professional satisfaction of EAP administrators and instructors at Canadian post-secondary institutions.
Project Type: FundedRole: Lead Investigator
Start Date:
- Month: Sep Year: 2019
Collaborator: Julia Williams
Collaborator Institution: Renison University College - University of Waterloo
Funders:
SSHRC Explore
All Publications
English as the dominant language of scientific research writing. Survey and
interview data were collected from 55 Latin American health and life scientists
and 7 North American scientific journal editors connected to an intensive
scholarly writing for publication course. Study findings point to competing
perceptions (scientists vs. editors) of fairness in the adjudication of Latin
American scientists’ research at international scientific journals. Adopting a
critical, plurilingual lens, I argue that these findings demand a space for more
equity-driven pedagogies, policies, and reflective practices aimed at supporting
the robust participation of plurilingual scientists who use English as an
additional language (EAL). In particular, if equity is indeed a shared goal, there
is a clear need for commitment to ongoing critical self-reflection on the part of
scientific journal gatekeepers and research writing support specialists.
English as the dominant language of scientific research writing. Survey and
interview data were collected from 55 Latin American health and life scientists
and 7 North American scientific journal editors connected to an intensive
scholarly writing for publication course. Study findings point to competing
perceptions (scientists vs. editors) of fairness in the adjudication of Latin
American scientists’ research at international scientific journals. Adopting a
critical, plurilingual lens, I argue that these findings demand a space for more
equity-driven pedagogies, policies, and reflective practices aimed at supporting
the robust participation of plurilingual scientists who use English as an
additional language (EAL). In particular, if equity is indeed a shared goal, there
is a clear need for commitment to ongoing critical self-reflection on the part of
scientific journal gatekeepers and research writing support specialists.
Approach to Teaching
I am interested in developing students' academic literacies, including their ability to effectively communicate within their disciplinary communities. My approach includes facilitating development of critical thinking skills, whether it be at the undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate level. My teaching responds to 21st century student needs and objectives, and strives to be dynamic and responsive to the ever changing nature of these needs in the "knowledge economy". I take a critical, plurilingual pedagogical approach that sees language(s) as "resource" rather than "problem", thus positioning scholars using English as an additional language as pluri-competent as they develop their awareness of how language can be used to create, maintain, and/or challenge relations of power.
Current Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2025 | GS/LAL6235 3.0 | M | English SpecificPurposes:Theory/Practice | SEMR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/TESL3200 6.0 | A | Methodology of Teaching English | BLEN |
Upcoming Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | GS/LAL6220 3.0 | A | Advanced Topics in Applied Linguistics | ONLN |
