Link

• Google Scholar Profile:
  View my research profile here

• Lab Website:
  View LEaPP Lab website here

Introduction

Dr. CHEN Xinjie (Nathalie) is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Before joining CUHK, Prof. CHEN was a Senior Research Associate and Lecturer at Stanford University, while serving as the Research Director for the California World Language Project. Prof. CHEN joint Stanford University Graduate School of Education (U.S.) as a postdoctoral research fellow after receiving her master’s degree in applied linguistics from Sorbonne University (France), and her Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Macau (China, SAR). Prof. CHEN is a multilingual speaker (Cantonese, Mandarin, English, French, Spanish). She has international working experience (e.g., United Nations) and teaching experience across countries/regions, with her ranging from children to doctoral graduate students. Prof. CHEN’s research interests are interdisciplinary, including development and educational psychology, second/foreign language teaching and learning, positive psychology and education. Her research has taken different research forms and resulted in a series of publications in leading journals in the field of psychology, education, and language, such as Educational Psychology Review, Journal of Happiness Studies, Journal of Positive Psychology, International Journal of Educational Research, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, Foreign Language Annals, International Journal of Bilingualism, Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. Currently, Prof. CHEN sits on the editorial board of academic journals School Psychology International (senior associate editor) and Educational Psychology (consulting editor). Prof. CHEN has been invited to serve as a guest editor and as peer reviewer for a significant number of international academic peer-reviewed journals in the past few years. She serves as a committee member for various programs at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and prominent international academic organizations, including the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL). 

Note: Prof. CHEN is currently open to recruiting students with relevant educational background and research interests.

Research Interest

• Developmental and educational psychology
• Positive psychology and education
• Bi/multilingualism
• Second/foreign language teaching and learning.

Courses Taught

Recent Publications (Selected)

Please refer to my research profile in Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8kG-BOoAAAAJ&hl=en

1. Chen, X.*, Zhou, Z., & Cai, Z. (2025). The relationship between resilience and second language learning achievement: A meta-analytic review. System, 131, 103640.
2. Cai, Z., Liu, C., Zhan, J., Wang, Z., Hao, X., Zhang, S., & Chen, X. (2025). Effect of Collaboration in Digital Game‐ Based Learning: The Roles of Flow Experience and Intrinsic Motivation. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 41(4), e70065.
3. Chen, X., He, J., & Cai, Z. (2024). Exploring the roles of openness to experience, emotions, and proficiency levels in bilingual students’ happiness. International Journal of Bilingualism, 1-16
4. Padilla, A., & Chen, X.*, Swanson, E., Peterson, M., Zamora, T., & Girsky, T. (2024). Longitudinal Academic, Language, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Outcomes of Graduates of a One-Way Spanish Immersion Program. Foreign Language Annals.
5. Lei, F., Chen, X.*, & Fan, X. (2023). Linking motivation and willingness to communicate in online L3 learning context: The influence of emotions and perceived positive language interaction. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 34(2), 762-780.
6. Chen, X.*, & Fan, X., & Padilla, A. (2022). Unpacking the factors related to flourishing among bilingual adults in the U.S. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 1-12.
7. Padilla, A., Chen, X.*, Peterson, M., Swanson, E., Peruzzaro, A. (2022). Longitudinal study of graduates of a Spanish dual immersion program. Foreign Language Annals, 55(2), 408-434.
8. Padilla, A., Chen, X.*, Song, D., Swanson, E., Peterson, M. (2022). Mindset, stereotype threat and the academic achievement gap between Chinese and Latinx English learners (ELs). International Journal of Educational Research, 112, 101916.
9. Cai, Z., Mao, P., Wang, D., He, J., Chen, X., & Fan, X. (2022). Effects of scaffolding in digital game-based learning on student’s achievement: A three-level meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 34(2), 537-574.
10. Chen, X., He, J.*, Swanson, E., Cai, Z., & Fan, X. (2021). Big five personality traits and second language learning: A meta-analysis of 40 years’ research. Educational Psychology Review, 1-37.
11. Chen, X.*, Vallerand, J. R, & Padilla, A. (2021). The role of passion in second language and life outcomes. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(6), 2761-2779.
12. Chen, X.*, Lake, J., & Padilla, A. (2020). Self-views and positive psychology constructs among second language learners in Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 554670.
13. Dewaele, J. -M., Chen, X.*, Padilla, A., & Lake, J. (2019). The flowering of positive psychology in foreign/second language teaching and acquisition research. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 467145.
14. Chen, X.*, & Padilla, A. (2019). Emotions and creativity as predictors of resilience among L3 learners in the Chinese educational context. Current Psychology, 41(1), 406-416.
15. Chen. X., He, J.*, & Fan, X. (2019). Relationships between openness to experience, cognitive flexibility, self-esteem, and creativity among bilingual college students in the U.S. Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 25(1), 342-354.
16. Chen, X., Cai, Z.*, He, J., & Fan, X. (2019). Gender differences in life satisfaction among children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies, 21, 2279-2307.
17. Zeng. G., Chen. X.*, & Cheung, H. Y. (2019). Teacher growth mindset and work engagement in the Chinese educational context: Well-being and perseverance of effort as mediators. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 442256.
18. He, J., Chen, X.*, Fan, X., Cai, Z., & Hao, S. (2018). Profiles of parent and peer attachments of adolescents and association with psychological outcomes. Children and Youth Services Review. 94, 163-172.
19. Chen, X.*, Cheung, H. Y., Fan, X., & Wu, J. (2017). Factors related to resilience of academically gifted students in the Chinese cultural and educational environment. Psychology in the Schools, 55(2), 107-119.

Recent Projects