Dr. Matthew Poehner

Biography

Matthew E. Poehner is a Professor of World Languages Education in the field of Applied Linguistics at Pennsylvania State University. With a focus on the Vygotskian Sociocultural Theory, he engages in research that investigates processes of instructed second language development and seeks to optimize educational environments that enhance learner language capabilities. His major lines of research concentrate on Dynamic Assessment, exploring how assessment practices can be reconfigured to integrate instruction and broaden the understanding of learner capabilities. Throughout his career, he has participated in various collaborative research projects on Dynamic Assessment across different educational contexts, including the United States, Finland, China, and Israel, which have led to numerous journal articles and book chapters. Significant published works include co-edited volumes such as the Routledge Handbook of Sociocultural Theory and Language Development, and Practical Approaches to Dynamic Assessment in Language Learning. He has received prestigious awards, including the Kenneth W. Mildenberger Book Award from the Modern Language Association in 2014. Additionally, he has served as the immediate Past President of the International Association for Cognitive Education and Psychology and as an Associate Editor for the journal Language and Sociocultural Theory.

Research Interests