About

Na-Young Ryu is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Asian Studies at Penn State. She holds an M.A. in English Linguistics from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea and a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Toronto, Canada. Her expertise encompasses Korean linguistics, phonology, computer-assisted language learning, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. Her primary focus centers on developing web-based perceptual training programs that employ audio-visual and auditory techniques to enhance Korean perception and pronunciation skills of second language learners. Na-Young Ryu's innovative approach incorporates cutting-edge AI technology into Korean language acquisition, making her a pioneer in this fusion of AI and education. She is dedicated to crafting effective methods for language instruction that empower students to achieve proficiency and gain a profound understanding of Korean culture. In addition to her academic and teaching accomplishments, she actively participates in Penn State’s campus life by organizing Korean cultural events such as ‘Krazy about Korea’ and ‘Korean movie night,’ which promote Korean culture and society to the broader university community. She also regularly hosts conferences for Korean language educators.

Research topics

• Psychology
• Geography
• Linguistics
• Economic geography
• Computer science

Selected publications

• The eTandem paradigm in cross-linguistic development: An analysis of reciprocal language learning between Korean and English learners in higher-education contexts

  Language Teaching Research · 2026-05-07

  articleSenior author

  This study investigates an eTandem virtual exchange program designed for Korean and English language learners to enhance their target language proficiency and intercultural understanding. The program was implemented through synchronous Zoom sessions between 31 Korean learners at a U.S. state university (U-A) and 32 learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) at a Korean science and engineering university (U-K). Program effectiveness and participant satisfaction were assessed through student questionnaires and professor interviews. Findings indicate that 89.3% of U-A participants felt the program was beneficial for improving their Korean language skills, while 77.3% of U-K participants reported similar benefits regarding their English proficiency. Thematic analysis of discussion preferences revealed that participants tended to gravitate toward less complex topics – such as college life, food, and dating culture – while showing lower engagement with politico-social subjects, which were perceived as more challenging. Despite logistical challenges, such as time zone differences, participants highly valued the interpersonal connections formed with their peer language partners. This research offers valuable insights for optimizing eTandem language exchange programs, emphasizing the importance of incorporating accessible and engaging content to support both linguistic development and intercultural competence.

  PublisherDOI

• Reversibility of Cognitive and Psychiatric Impairments Following Surgical Resection of Frontotemporal Meningiomas: A Predictive Factor Analysis

  Research Square · 2026-02-27

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Perceptual comparison of emotional Korean speech: Human versus AI-generated voices

  The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 2025-10-01

  article1st authorCorresponding

  This study examined how native Korean listeners perceive emotional speech produced by professional human voice actors versus speech generated by Zyphra’s Zonos-v0.1, an advanced AI TTS system. 87 Korean participants listened to 96 audio stimuli, derived from 12 Korean sentences designed to evoke six core emotions and neutral expressions, each rendered by both human actors and AI voices cloned from those actors. Participants assessed each sample for voice identity (human or AI), naturalness, pronunciation, intonation, perceived emotion, and emotional appropriateness. Results revealed that while listeners accurately identified AI voices as artificial (78.81%), they often misclassified human voices as AI (53.90%), especially for neutral speech, indicating a narrowing perceptual gap. Voices perceived as human received higher ratings for naturalness, pronunciation, and intonation, regardless of their true origin. AI voices were rated lower, mainly due to less convincing emotional expression and intonation, though pronunciation was rarely an issue. Human voices were also much more likely to have their intended emotion correctly identified (65.54% vs. 31.66% for AI), and their emotional appropriateness was rated higher. In conclusion, while AI voices have advanced to be confused with human speech, limitations persist in achieving emotional authenticity and contextual appropriateness.

  PublisherDOI

• Transcending educational boundaries

  2025-10-16

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding

  This study explores Generation Z's experiences in an eTandem Virtual Exchange (VE) programme, focusing on learning Korean and engaging in cultural discussions. Conducted via Zoom, the programme connected 13 Korean learners from Pennsylvania State University (PSU) with 11 counterparts from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). A survey gathered the opinions of participating students, focusing on PSU students. Results revealed that 66.9% of participants were satisfied, indicating the programme largely met their expectations. Additionally, 76.9% of PSU learners found the programme beneficial for improving Korean oral communication and comprehension. The eTandem VE programme also positively impacted Korean cultural understanding, with 23.1% reporting significant improvement, 46.2% showing some gains, 15.4% experiencing moderate gains, and 15.4% reporting little impact on their cultural knowledge. Analysis of discussion topics revealed preferences for lighter subjects like Korean food, university life, and K-wave, while topics related to politics and society received lower response rates due to perceived difficulty. Despite logistical challenges, students valued personal connections with KAIST students. This study provides insights into optimising intercultural exchange programmes for Generation Z language learners, emphasising relevant and engaging discussions for a holistic learning experience in Korean language and culture.

  PublisherDOI

• Native Korean Listeners’ Perception of Emotional Expression in Korean TTS

  Korean Journal of Applied Linguistics · 2025-12-31

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• CNSC-86. COGNITIVE AND PSYCHIATRIC RECOVERY AFTER FRONTOTEMPORAL MENINGIOMA SURGERY: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF OUTCOMES AND PREDICTIVE FACTORS

  Neuro-Oncology · 2025-11-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Cognitive and psychiatric impairments are common in frontotemporal meningioma patients, but their potential for reversibility after surgery is poorly understood, creating a knowledge gap compared to glioma research. This study aimed to evaluate cognitive and psychiatric changes and identify tumor-related prognostic factors in patients with frontotemporal meningiomas. We retrospectively analyzed 29 patients who underwent total surgical resection and completed both pre- and post-operative neuropsychological testing (NOPT, SNSB-II, or BNTP-M1). Linear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with outcomes. Post-operatively, patients demonstrated significant improvements across all tested domains: attention (p=0.002), language (p=0.041), memory (p<0.001), visuospatial function (p=0.024), executive function (p<0.001), and psychiatric symptoms (p=0.043). Regression analysis revealed key predictors. Bilateral tumors were associated with better psychiatric recovery (β=−23.884, p=0.001) but poorer visuospatial function (β=−4.021, p=0.042), while frontal lobe involvement predicted worse language outcomes (β=−3.762, p=0.002). Frontal base tumors were linked to poorer psychiatric recovery (β=−14.908, p=0.005). Greater peritumoral edema predicted worse pre-operative attention (β=0.438, p=0.037) and psychiatric symptoms (β=42.804, p=0.001), though these deficits improved post-operatively. Our findings demonstrate that cognitive and psychiatric impairments from frontotemporal meningiomas are substantially reversible with surgery. Specific tumor characteristics are critical predictors of recovery, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis, tailored surgical strategies, and structured monitoring to optimize patient outcomes. Future research incorporating neurodegenerative biomarkers is warranted to distinguish tumor-induced deficits from comorbid age-related decline.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Relationship between Urban Sprawl and Commuting Patterns in Seoul Metropolitan Region

  Korean Cartographic Association · 2024-04-30

  article1st authorCorresponding

  본 연구는 서울광역도시권에서 나타나는 도시 스프롤과 통근 패턴간에 어떤 관계가 있는지 분석하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 선행 연구에서 산출된 스프롤 지수들과 사회경제적 특성을 나타내는 주요 지표들을 설명변수로 하고, 자가용 통근시 평균 운전 시간과 대중교통이용 통근자 비율을 종속변수로 하여 두 가지의 회귀모형을 구성하였다. OLS 분석에 비해 GWR 분석에서 모형의 설명력과 적합도가 개선되었으며, 설명변수 중 밀도의 영향력이 가장 큰 것으로 나타났다. 또한 GWR 분석에 의해 전역적 모형에서 는 유의하지 않았으나 국지적으로는 유의하게 나타나는 다양한 설명변수들을 확인할 수 있었다.

  PublisherDOI

• Economic and Spatial Agglomerations in Knowledge-based Industries of the Metropolitan Regions in Korea

  Korean Cartographic Association · 2024-08-31

  article1st authorCorresponding

  본 연구의 목적은 대도시 지역의 산업구조 변화에 따라 중요성이 강조되어온 지식기반산업의 경제 및 공간 집적에 주목하고 그 특성을 실증적으로 분석하는 것이다. 우리나라 광역도시권을 연구 지역으로 선정하고, 경제 집적을 측정하기 위하여 지식기반산업의 특화도, 다양성, 경쟁도를 나타내는 지수를 산출하여 집적의 정도를 비교하는 한편, 공간적 측면에서는 공간자기 상관을 기반으로 하는 Getis and Ord’s Gi *를 이용하여 집적 정도를 측정하였다. 분석 공간단위는 광역도시권과 시군구 수준으로 구분하였다. 지식기반산업을 지식기반제조업과 지식기반서비스업으로 구분하여 경제 및 공간 집적을 분석한 결과, 각 산업 부문과 광역도시권에 따라 차별적으로 집적이 이루어지고 있음을 확인하였다. 또한 4개의 산업집적 지역유형 중 산업 특화도와 공간자기상관이 높은 유형인 산업집적 클러스터를 확인한 결과, 가장 큰 규모는 지식기반서비스업에서 나타났는데, 그 공간 범위는 서울의 대다수 구 지역과 인접 시구 지역을 포함한다.

  PublisherDOI

• Front Rounded Vowels of Heritage Korean in Northern China

  Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2024-02-15 · 1 citations

  book-chapter

  This chapter examines how the front rounded vowels /y/ and /ø/ are realized in two varieties of Chinese Korean: Hunchun and Dandong. In Seoul Korean, these vowels have mostly diphthongized, but variation is reported in other dialects. In a large-scale study including acoustic measurements from the two aforementioned heritage varieties, two homeland varieties (i.e., Seoul and Northern Hamgyeong), and local Mandarin varieties, as well as self-reports of language background, we examine the potential influence of ancestral dialect, prestige dialect, and contact language on the realization of heritage varieties. Results show more monophthongal realizations of the vowels in question in Dandong, Hunchun, and Northern Hamgyeong Korean than in Seoul Korean. We also find that Dandong speakers show less diphthongization of /y/ than Hunchun speakers, whereas the two groups do not differ in the production of /ø/. We attribute this difference to influence from Mandarin, which has a more dominant community-level presence in Dandong than in Hunchun.

  PublisherDOI

• Students' perceptions of utilizing AI chatbots as conversation partners for Korean speaking practice

  2024-11-13

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding

  This study explores Korean language learners’ acceptance and experience with the Sejong AI tutor chatbot, grounded in the technology acceptance model 2 (TAM2). The results demonstrate a high acceptance of chatbots in terms of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and self-efficacy. Additionally, personal innovativeness and usability moderately influence acceptance. However, perceived behavior control and behavioral intention scores are relatively low. Students report advantages associated with chatbot-based learning, including increased flexibility, reduced language anxiety, and a more enjoyable learning experience. Nonetheless, challenges are also identified, such as frustration with misunderstood speech and limitations in nuanced variety and creativity due to script rigidity. Overall, these findings indicate that AI chatbots can be valuable tools that promote confidence and motivation in Korean L2 speaking practice. However, successful implementation requires advancements in core chatbot functionalities such as speech recognition, dialogue management and personalized feedback. This study provides practical implications for L2 teachers, students, and chatbot developers seeking to optimize AI chatbots for effective language learning.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• SangYun Kim

  University of Zurich

  7 shared

• Young Chul Youn

  Chung-Ang University

  6 shared

• Jung‐Min Pyun

  Soonchunhyang University Hospital

  5 shared

• Young Ho Park

  Seoul National University Bundang Hospital

  5 shared

• Min Ju Kang

  Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University

  3 shared

• Yoonjung Kang

  Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

  3 shared

• Hae‐Won Shin

  2 shared

• Min Jae Baek

  Seoul National University Bundang Hospital

  2 shared