Department of Second Language Studies at University of Hawaii

✨ We are excited to share that Yoonseo Kim, a PhD Student in SLS, has received TWO external awards: the Faith C Ai. Scholarship and the National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Association (NFMLTA) Dissertation Writing Support Grant!

💸 The Faith C. Ai Memorial Scholarship fund awards scholarships of up to $5,000 each to exceptional students in or from the state of Hawaii who are enrolled in accredited American colleges or universities.

💸The NFMLTA Dissertation Writing Grant supports graduate students in the fields of applied linguistics and language education at the dissertation writing stage. It funds discrete projects at any stage of dissertation writing, including but not limited to instrument development, transcription or translation services, data gathering, coding and analysis, etc.

🎉 Congratulations, Yoonseo, on these impressive achievements!

As we wind down and settle into the summer, we’re reflecting back on the Spring 2026 semester. How fast time flies!

✨ Check out some highlights from one of our graduate classes, SLS 750 taught by our own Dr. Grüter!

👀 Students learned about all kinds of theories and methods related to research using eye-tracking methods, and got to try out their own pilot projects! The course ended with a poster presentation session where students shared their work with their classmates and other guests. We love to see our scholars actively engaged in their coursework!

☀️ We hope everyone enjoys their well-deserved summer break! We wish the very best for our Spring and Summer 2026 graduates and look forward to seeing everyone else back in the Fall!

✨ Check out some highlights from one of our graduate classes, SLS 675. There were two sections offered this semester which were taught by our own Dr. Gilliland and Dr. Ann Tai Choe!

📚 Students learned about all kinds of theories and methods related to qualitative research, and got to try out using some of them in their classes. We love to see our scholars actively engaged in their coursework!

☀️ We hope everyone enjoys their well-deserved summer break, and look forward to seeing everyone back in the Fall!

🎓 Congratulations to our Spring 2026 SLS Graduates! 🌺

🎉 Y’all did the thing! We’re so proud of all that each of you have accomplished and can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make in the world! Now it’s time to celebrate — you’ve earned it! 🎉

📸 Sharing pictures that were taken at the Spring 2026 Commencement held on May 16, 2026.

🤔 Still looking for a class to take in the Summer Session at UH Mānoa?

🌺 Curious about Hawai’ian Pidgin language and culture?

☀️ Register for SLS 430: Pidgin & Creole English in Hawai’i to learn more about the history, identity, and linguistics of Pidgnin in Hawai’i!

🔗 Registration is on STAR, seats are still available!

✨Hoʻomaikaʻi to all the Spring 2026 graduates!

💚 On Thursday, May 7th, SLSSA organized a graduation cooler to celebrate all the graduates in our program. Mahalo nui loa to SLSSA for the event and everyone’s hard work this semester!

🎓 Missed the cooler? Donʻt worry! This Saturday, May 15th, come celebrate our graduates in the morning commencement ceremony then followed by the lei reception at the baseball field.