SUNGDAI CHO

BACKGROUND

My main research areas are (1) Syntax and Morphology, and (2) Language Pedagogy for Korean. In regards to theoretical linguistics, I am mostly interested in causative, passive constructions, honorific expressions in Korean, and how they are placed in Northeast Linguistic area. In regards to language pedagogy, I am mainly interested in National Standards for Learning Languages and Assessment. After receiving my doctorate in Linguistics from the University of Hawaii, I joined the Binghamton University in 2000 after teaching seven years at the University of Michigan, Indiana University, and Stanford University. I have published eleven books including four language textbooks (University of Hawaii Press), three edited books (Cambridge University Press and Korea University Press) and four monographs on Korean linguistics and language pedagogy (Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, and Cambridge Scholars Publishing). Two books are under contract with Cambridge University Press (Korean Syntax), and Routledge Publication (Korean Pedagogy). I am a founding director of the Center for Korean Studies at Binghamton University since 2008. I was the former chair of Korean Special Interest Group (SIG) at American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), co-chair of the “National Standards for Learning Korean” task force associated with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and SAT Korean chair in Educational Testing Service by College Board for the past ten years. I have frequently organized conferences for Foreign Language Pedagogy and Korean Linguistics. I have also hosted the 2008 AATK (American Association of Teachers of Korean), 2008 ICKL (International Circle of Korean Linguistics) conference at Binghamton University, the 2018 workshop on “Korean at the Nexus of Northeast Linguistic Area I at Seoul National University, the KLCC 2021 on “Korean Linguistics in Cross-linguistic Context” at Cornell University and organize the 2024 Culture Learning Workshop at MIT, the 2025 Japanese/Korean Linguistics Conference at Cornell University. 

EDUCATION

· Ph.D., Linguistics, University of Hawai’i at Manoa

· M.A., Linguistics, SUNY at Buffalo

· B.A., English Language and Literature, Kon-Kuk University

· Previously Taught in Stanford University, Indiana University, and University of Michigan at Ann Arbor

RESEARCH INTERESTS

· Syntax and Morphology

· Passive; Causative; Sluicing; Honorifics; Valency Alternations

· Language Pedagogy

· National Standards

AWARDS

· Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching

UNIVERSITY-LEVEL SERVICE

· 2024-2026  

Faculty Senate Executive Committee (FSEC), Advisory Committee for Scholarship and Research, Nomination Committee for Excellence in International Education. 

· 2023-2025         

Member/Acting Chair, All-University Personnel Committee (AUPC)      

Member, Committee on Committees, ITS Research Computing Advisory Committee, Graduate Council (Representing, Fine Arts and Humanities)