Professor Dr Subhan Zein

Professor Dr Subhan Zein

  • Deputy Dean (Research and Sustainability)
  • Professor
  • Head of Centre
Centre for Higher Education Research
  • School of Education
SDGs Focus

Biography

Subhan Zein (PhD, Australian National University) is Professor at 红杏视频 University, Malaysia, and Visiting Professor at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Indonesia. At 红杏视频, he is Deputy Dean of Research and Sustainability and Head of Centre for Higher Education Research.  

He is鈥疪outledge鈥疉siaTEFL鈥疊ook Series鈥疎ditor-in-Chief and two-time winner of Australia鈥檚 Best Researcher Award in English Language and Literature.鈥疕e spent some fourteen years teaching at higher education institutions in Australia, including Australian National University, Trinity College 鈥 The University of Melbourne, University of Canberra, and the University of Queensland, catering for the needs of local Australian students as well as international students, migrants, and refugees from 90 countries. His pedagogy has resulted in consistently high attendance and participation among his students as well as satisfaction rates averaging 90% in Course Satisfaction Surveys in various courses he taught in Australia.  

Professor Zein鈥檚 publications include 12 published and forthcoming books, appearing in Web of Science- and Scopus-indexed outlets such as Routledge, Springer, and Multilingual Matters. His books have received 13 endorsements from senior, internationally celebrated scholars, and they have generated 18 unsolicited reviews appearing in prestigious journals such as Journal of Education Policy (SSCI Q1, H-index 90), Language Policy (SSCI Q1, H-index 44), Language in Society (SSCI Q1, H-index 74), System: An International Journal of Educational Technology and Applied Linguistics (SSCI Q1, H-index 104), among others. He has published a total of 52 book chapters and journal articles, mainly as sole- and lead-author. His book chapters (as an invited author) have appeared in international handbooks and textbooks, including Routledge Handbook of Teaching English to Young Learners and Oxford Handbook of Southeast Asian Englishes. Meanwhile, his articles have been published in leading journals, including鈥疞anguage Teaching (SSCI Q1, H-index 79), Professional Development in Education (SSCI Q1, H-index 51), Journal of Education for Teaching: International Research and Pedagogy (SSCI Q1, H-index 50), and World Englishes (SSCI Q1, H-index 64). As a theorist, he has developed a theory in sociolinguistics, called 鈥渟uperglossia鈥, and refined a theory initially conceptualised by Professor Joseph Lo Bianco (The University of Melbourne, Australia), called 鈥渄iscourse planning鈥.  

His course profiles and research works have been used and adapted as university core readings and in the evaluation of teacher professional development programs at universities and projects in various countries, including Stirling University (UK) and the English in Action Teacher Professional Development Program in Bangladesh. His research and advocacy for primary English education in Indonesia have influenced grassroots movement and led to the establishment of English for young learners (EYL) courses and programs in many universities in the country. He has served as Principal Investigator and Research Hub Coordinator of funded research projects, with clients including the British Council. He has received and managed research grants, scholarships, and education funds in the amount of more than 1,1 million Australian dollars. He has been invited to deliver keynote, plenary, and featured presentations, as well as international special lectures and webinars at conferences, universities, and events in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, England, Georgia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, the Philippines, etc. (total: 52).  

Professor Zein has initiated, led, and managed multiple international projects involving esteemed scholars, professors, academics, and practitioners from the world鈥檚 six continents, ranging from Mexico, to Colombia, to Serbia, to Tanzania, to China, to Japan, to Indonesia, to Australia, to the United States. He has been editor and lead editor of six academic volumes, including The Routledge International Handbook of English Language Education in Indonesia and Early Language Learning Policy in the 21st Century: An International Perspective. He is also editor and lead editor of five ongoing Special Issue projects for various journals, including TESOL Journal (ESCI, Q1, H-index 33) and International Journal of the Sociology of Language (ESCI, Q1, H-index 51).  

He has supervised master鈥檚 and doctorate students to completion. He accepts requests for master鈥檚 and doctorate supervision. He welcomes those wanting to conduct research in the broader disciplines of Education and Applied Linguistics, particularly within the fields of TESOL, language planning and policy, language and literacy education, language ideology, sociolinguistics, early language learning, sociology of education, educational policy, as well as language, education, and cultural studies pertaining to Indonesia.鈥 
 

Academic & Professional Qualifications

  • PhD in Linguistics, Australian National University (ANU), Australia (2013)
  • MA TESOL, University of Canberra, Australia (2009)
  • In-Service Certificate of English Language Teaching (ICELT), University of Cambridge, UK (2006)
  • BA in English Language and Literature, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia (2005)
  • Diploma in Arabic, Ma鈥檋ad Al Manar, Indonesia (2004)

Research Interests

  • Applied Linguistics
  • TESOL
  • Language and literacy education
  • Early language learning
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Language policy

Teaching Areas

  • Applied Linguistics
  • TESOL
  • Language and Literacy Education

Courses Taught

  • Teaching Languages
  • Concepts in Applied Linguistics
  • TESOL Curriculum and Pedagogy

Notable Publications

  1. Zein, S., & Heng, K. (In Press). Online continuing professional development in English language teaching in Cambodia. British Council.
  2. Zein, S., &Dewi, A. (In Press). Online continuing professional development in English language teaching in Indonesia. British Council.
  3. McKenzie, A., Graham, C., Rowlands, G., & Zein, S. (2024). Online continuing professional development in English language teaching in ASEAN: Trends and Prospects. British Council. ISBN:9781915280367
  4. Zein, S. (2022a). English as a subject in basic education (ESBE) in ASEAN: A comparative study. British Council. ISBN: 9781915280015 doi:10.57884/7cmc-dk83
  5. Zein, S. (2022b). Country profiles: English as a subject in basic education (ESBE) in Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam: Recommendations for policy and research. British Council. ISBN: 9781915280015 doi:10.57884/1hkb-jf82
  6. Zein, S. (2020). Language policy in superdiverse Indonesia. Routledge. ISBN: 9780367029548. doi:10.4324/9780429019739
  7. Zein, S., & Hamied, F. A. (Eds.) (2025). Routledge international handbook of English language education in Indonesia. Routledge. ISBN: 9781032506166.
  8. Zein, S., & Butler, Y. G. (Eds.). (2022). English for young learners in Asia: Challenges and directions for teacher education. Routledge. ISBN: 9780367861162. doi:10.4324/9781003016977
  9. Zein, S., & Coady, M. R. (Eds.). (2021). Early language learning policy in the 21st century: An international perspective. Springer. ISBN: 9783030762506. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-76251-3
  10. Zein, S., & Garton, S. (Eds.). (2019). Early language learning and teacher education: International research and practice. Multilingual Matters. ISBN:9781788922647. doi:10.21832/9781788922661
  11. Zein, S. (Ed.). (2018). Teacher education for English as a lingua franca: Perspectives from Indonesia. Routledge. ISBN: 9781138303966. doi:10.4324/9780203730522
  12. Zein, S., & Stroupe, R. (Eds.). (2018). English language teacher preparation in Asia: Research, practice and policy. Routledge. ISBN: 9781138095366. doi:10.4324/9781315105680
  13. Zein, S. (In Press). Critical issues in primary English education: An international perspective. In J. Bland and S. Mour茫o (Eds.), Teaching English to young learners 鈥 Critical issues in language teaching with 3-12 year olds. Bloomsbury. Invited.
  14. Zein, S. (In Press). Primary English language policy in Indonesia: Transcending the traditionalist and globalist spectrum. In E. L. Low (Ed.). Handbook of language policies in Southeast Asia. Brill. Invited.
  15. Zein, S. (In Press). Global primary English language policy: Reflections and current issues. In S. Garton & F. Copland (Eds.), Primary English language teaching and learning: A global research perspective. Routledge. Invited.  
  16. Zein, S. (In Press). Revitalisation planning as consilience: A transdisciplinary approach to preserve indigenous languages. In E. L. Low (Ed.). Handbook of language policies in Southeast Asia. Brill. Invited.
  17. Zein, S. (In Press). Language policy, laws, and regulations: A transdisciplinary perspective. In J. Lo Bianco & A. Lundberg (Eds.), Research in language policy and management. Bloomsbury Academic. Invited.
  18. Zein, S. (2025a). Foreword. In Stroupe, R., & Roosman, L. M. (Eds.), Applied linguistics in the social sciences in Indonesia (pp. v-viii). Springer. Invited.
  19. Zein, S. (2025b). English teachers鈥 proficiency frameworks and assessment. In S. Zein, & F. A. Hamied. (Eds.). Routledge international handbook of English language education in Indonesia. Routledge.
  20. Zein, S. (2025c). English in Indonesia. In K. Bolton (Ed.), Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of World Englishes (pp. 1-13). Wiley Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119518297.eowe00229 Invited.
  21. Zein, S., & Hamied, F. A. (2025). Introduction to Routledge international handbook of English language education in Indonesia. In S. Zein, & F. A. Hamied. (Eds.). Routledge international handbook of English language education in Indonesia. Routledge.
  22. Djiwandono, P., & Zein, S. (2025). School language assessment and educational policies. In S. Zein, & F. A. Hamied. (Eds.). Routledge international handbook of English language education in Indonesia. Routledge.
  23. Diyanti, B. Y., & Zein, S. (2025). Curriculum design and materials development. In S. Zein, & F. A. Hamied. (Eds.). Routledge international handbook of English language education in Indonesia. Routledge.
  24. Liando, N. V. F., & Zein, S. (2025). Teaching reading: Trends and innovations. In S. Zein, & F. A. Hamied. (Eds.). Routledge international handbook of English language education in Indonesia. Routledge.
  25. Zein, S. (2024a). English language education and educational policy in Indonesia and Timor Leste. In A. Moody (Ed.), Oxford handbook of Southeast Asian Englishes (pp. 466-486). Oxford University Press. Invited.
  26. Zein, S. (2024b). English ideologies in ASEAN: English language, language education policies, and English varieties. In A. Moody (Ed.), Oxford handbook of Southeast Asian Englishes (pp. 120-148). Oxford University Press. Invited.
  27. Zein, S. (2022a). Knowledge base in teaching English to young learners. In S. Zein & Y. G. Butler (Eds.), English for young learners in Asia: Challenges and directions for teacher education (pp. 129-155). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003016977-8
  28. Zein, S., & Butler, Y. B. (2022b). Introduction to English for young learners: Directions for teacher education. In S. Zein & Y. G. Butler (Eds.), English for young learners in Asia: Challenges and directions for teacher education (pp. 1-15). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003016977-1
  29. Zein, S. (2022c). English language teacher education in Indonesia: Providers, policies, innovations, and future directions. In M. Khine & Y. Liu(Eds.), Handbook of research on teacher education: Innovations and practices in Asia (pp.465-488).  Springer. Invited.  doi:10.1007/978-981-16-9785-2_23
  30. Zein, S. (2021). Introduction to early language learning policy in the 21st century. In S. Zein & M. R. Coady (Eds.), Early language learning policy in the 21st century: An international perspective (pp. 1-37). Springer.  doi:10.1007/978-3-030-76251-3_1
  31. Zein, S. (2019a). Introduction to early language learning and teacher education: International research and practice. In S. Zein & S. Garton (Eds.), Early language learning and teacher education: International Research and Practice (pp. 1-16). Multilingual Matters. doi:10.21832/9781788922661-002
  32. Zein, S. (2019b). Imagining one鈥檚 self as a child and speech modification: Implications for teacher education. In S. Zein & S. Garton (Eds.), Early language learning and teacher education: International research and practice (pp. 59-77). Multilingual Matters. doi:10.21832/9781788922661-005
  33. Zein, S. (2018a). Setting the scene for teacher education for English as a lingua franca. In S. Zein (Ed.), Teacher education for English as a lingua franca: Perspectives from Indonesia (pp. 1-18). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9780203730522-1
  34. Zein, S. (2018b). From EFL to ELF: Implications for teacher education. In S. Zein (Ed.), Teacher education for English as a lingua franca: Perspectives from Indonesia (pp. 21-40). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9780203730522-2
  35. Zein, S. (2018c). Classroom management for teaching English to young learners. In S. Garton & F. Copland (Eds.), Routledge handbook of teaching English to young learners (pp. 154-168). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315623672-11 Invited.
  36. Zein, S. (2018d). Preparing Asian English teachers in the global world. In S. Zein & R. Stroupe. (Eds.), English language teacher preparation in Asia: Policy, research and practice (pp. 1-15). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315105680-1
  37. Zein, S. (2018e). Pre-service education for primary school English teachers in Indonesia: Policy recommendations. In. W. C. Liu & C. M. Goh (Eds.), Teachers鈥 perceptions, experience and learning (pp. 118-133). Routledge.
  38. Zein, S. (2018f). Translanguaging as a metadiscursive practice in the EYL classroom: Preparing prospective teachers. In S. Zein & R. Stroupe. (Eds.), English language teacher preparation in Asia: Policy, research and practice (pp. 47-62). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315105680-3
  39. Zein, S. &Arfiandhani, P. (2018). Utilizing SLA findings to inform language-in-education policy: The case of early English instruction in Indonesia. In M. Siiner, F. M. Hult, & T. Kupisch. (Eds.), Language policy and language acquisition planning (pp. 81-94). Springer. Invited. Contribution: 95%. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-75963-0_5
  40. Musthafa, B., Hamied, F. A., & Zein, S. (2018). Enhancing the quality of Indonesian teachers in the EFL era: Policy recommendations. In S. Zein (Ed.), Teacher education for English as a lingua franca: Perspectives from Indonesia (pp. 175-190). Routledge. Contribution: 60%. doi:10.4324/9780203730522-10
  41. Zein, S. (In Press). Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in English as a Subject in Basic Education (ESBE) in ASEAN: Progress and Challenges. AILA Review. Q1 H-index 31
  42. Zein, S. (In Press). Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability (DEIS) in language education: Worldwide perspectives. AILA Review. Q1 H-index 31
  43. Zein, S. (In Press). World Englishes as a language ideological movement in applied linguistics. World Englishes.Q1 H-index 64. Invited.
  44. Zein, S. (2024). Discourse planning: Language for regulating public sphere. Current Issues in Language Planning. doi:10.1080/14664208.2024.2432165 Q1 H-index 34.
  45. Zein, S. (2022). Translanguaging and multiliteracies: Implications for the ESOL classroom. English Teaching, 77(1), 3-24. doi:10.15858/engtea.77.s1.202209.3.Q4 H-Index 2. Invited.
  46. Zein, S. (2021). Review of Kobayashi, Y. (2018). The evolution of English language learners in Japan: Crossing Japan, the West, and South East Asia. Routledge. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 25(7), 2714-2716. doi:10.1080/13670050.2021.1913985 (IF: 1.495) Q1 H-Index 52
  47. Zein, S., Sukyadi, D., Hamied, F. A., & Lengkanawati, N. S. (2020). English language education in Indonesia (2011-2019): A review of research. Language Teaching, 53(4),491-523. doi:10.1017/S0261444820000208 Q1 H-Index 79. Contribution: 85%.
  48. Zein, S. (2019). English, multilingualism and globalisation in Indonesia: A love triangle. Why Indonesia should move towards multilingual education. English Today, 35(1), 48-53.doi:10.1017/S026607841800010X Q1 H-Index 38
  49. Zein, S. (2017a). To postpone or not to postpone? Examining access policy on early foreign language learning from second language acquisition and language planning and policy perspectives. Applied Linguistics Review, 8(4), 419-440. doi:10.1515/applirev-2016-1044Q1 H-Index 31

  50. Zein, S. (2017b). Professional development needs of primary EFL teachers: Perspectives of teachers and teacher educators. Professional Development in Education, 43(2), 293-313. doi:10.1080/19415257.2016.1156013 Q1 H-Index 51


     

Achievements & Accolades

  1. Australia鈥檚 Best Researcher Award in English Language and Literature 2023
  2. Australia鈥檚 Best Researcher Award in English Language and Literature 2022
  3. British Council鈥檚 鈥淔uture of English鈥 Research Grant 2022-2025
    Project: English as a school subject in basic education: Influencing future policy directions. Grant: 拢 324,707 (approximately A$ 584,472.6)
  4. British Council鈥檚 鈥淓nglish Connects ASEAN Feasibility Study鈥 Research Grant 2022
    Project: Online continuing professional Development (CPD) in English language teaching (ELT) in ASEAN. Grant: 拢 50,000 (approximately A$ 90,000)
  5. British Council鈥檚 鈥楨nglish across ASEAN Education Systems scoping research鈥 Research Grant 2020-2021
    Project: English as a subject in basic education in ASEAN. Grant: 拢 33,130 (approximately A$ 59,634)

     

Professional Associations

  1. Asia TEFL (Asia Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
  2. TEFLIN (Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia)
  3. PETAA (Primary English Teaching Association Australia)
  4. ELLRA (Early Language Learning Research Association)