Leonard Freeman

Dr Leonard Freeman is a Senior Lecturer in Education (Primary English) and an Early Career Researcher in the College of Arts, Society and Education at James Cook University. He holds a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Melbourne, a Master of Education (International) and a Master of Applied Linguistics (TESOL) from Charles Darwin University, and a Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales. Leonard is also a member of QATESOL and the Primary English Teachers Association of Australia (PETAA).

Leonard's research focuses on applied linguistics in education, with particular interest in multilingualism, teaching and learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D), language testing, and educational assessment. His work employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to investigate the diverse pathways through which young multilingual learners develop English language and literacy skills. 

A major theme of Leonard's research is examining the early English language and literacy development of children who learn English as an additional language or dialect in school settings. His current projects explore the fairness, reliability, validity and usefulness of using national English literacy test results to inform judgements about multilingual students' learning outcomes and guiding future teaching.  

Leonard brings more than twenty years of professional experience working as a classroom teacher, teacher-linguist, school principal, educational consultant, and lecturer in English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D).  Leonard is a fully registered classroom teacher in Queensland and the Northern Territory and supervises Master's and PhD candidates in his areas of expertise.