I really enjoyed this class up until the final which he made a take-home test from hell. I went from an A in the class to a C. But I feel like I learned a lot and he is incredibly helpful in his office.

Boring lecturer, but his material was too easy!

Dr. Shi is the man. He has a real fire for the material (linguistics) and that comes out in his lectures. Also, he has a good sense of humor. Hard not to like him.

Amazing teacher!!! I recommend him for Eng 301 as the #1 choice.

Despite this accent, Shi's awesome for linguistics. During the test, he'd go through the rows and literally tell you if and what was wrong with an answer. You didn't really even need the text. Attendance is a must though. He was perfect for summer.

He is a VERY nice professor. The material can be really confusing, but if you attend class and ask questions, you'll do fine. Do not miss class!

Dr. Shi has a very cute sense of humor, and he is a sweet man. Attend(and pay attention to)all his lectures and you will do fine in his class. If you are confused, he is happy to review the material with you.

He's really nice, helpful, clear, organized, intelligent, and more. He totally took me under his wing in my pursuits of linguistics. In the beginning he seems a bit aloof, but I think you end up growing on each other. I enjoyed him alot! (attending lectures: a must; book purchase: unnecessary)

He is very easy you get to use your notes for midterm and final. I learned a lot and really recommend his class. The subject is very dry even if you take it with someone else.

Willing to help! makes the class fun, lets you use notes for the test.

The most boring teacher I have ever had. He is very hard to understand, he needs to enroll in an accent reduction program. He knows his stuff and the tests are open note. I can't say I learned anything in this class.

Enchao-such a nice guy and it seems like he really knows his stuff, but whoa! What did he say? I felt "ver ver shicky" about the class. He lets you use your notes, but you need to! Why are future elem. teachers taking this class anyway? It's so abstract. Very helpful though & funny and really pushes you to get a master's degree someday. :)

Brilliant man. Very helpful. A bit hard to understand at first, but your ear gets tuned in. The material is monotonous at times. Can use notes for midterm and final. Drink coffee, take good notes, and you'll be fine. He is always available for outside consultations--a plus.

I am taking this professor right now for the summer and he is really funny, and he loves what he teaches. He speaks english and chineese yet her speaks really good english. Take him because he is good and you DONT NEED TO BUY THE BOOK because he gives you a hand out every class. And you can use your notes on the test

You will have to take this class, make sure it's with Enchao! The best prof in the department.

yes he has an accent but still very understandable. lets you use your notes on exams and even gives you his notes weekly so you don't even need the book. highly recommended, great professor!

HE IS AWESOM!He lets you use lecture notes durring the tests. He also gives you the handouts with explanations. He is willing to help you if you ask. I would recommend him to anyone who wants to pass this course.

Great guy~! Take him and you'll love him! Very smart and is always willing to help...

Professor Shi was very interesting, as was the subject he taught. The class can tend to be confusing, but it's grammer, it's not his fault. He's also very adorable and funny, which are always added bonuses.

He IS adorable, and funny too. The subject is boring but he explains it well.

He is so fabulous!!! He gives you lecture notes, you can use your own notes on the midterm/final. He is so funny. He gives a daily mediatation (boys will let you down - not linguistics!). He's clear and is very helpful. For this class you must have done well and understood your Eng302 or you'll be lost. I would take him all over again if I could.

He is so lovely. The Best prof.in Linguistics at CSUN. He is very helpful. He is so funny.

Cutest professor ever!! He is one of the best professors Ive had at CSUN, he is so helpful and motivating that you get interesting in what he's talking about...most importantly hes super funny..must take professor he will make your semester

Very nice professor. Open note exams (doesn't necessarily make it easier, though). Tough subject, but he teaches it well.

This professor is a very kind and sweet man. He has a great sense of humor. Although the subject is very DRY, he makes it as engaging as possible. Highly recommend him! Open notes exams and he is a very easy grader.

Shi is really nice. The class can get boring but its just the material. I wouldn't say the class is easy but there isn't a lot of work. Two tests and a final which are open note. He gives you lecture notes so you don't have to buy the book. He isn't fussy about attendance but its good to show up because you get the notes.

This is for you, Professor Shi ... this professor is a WELL DRESSED MAN, has a great sense of humor, & very helpful. GREAT Professor.

Great Professor. Dresses very nice and is humorous. Gives his own lecture note booklet. I highly recommend Dr. Shi.

The subject is veryyyyyy dryyyyyy, however Shi tries to make it as engaging as possible. Class was very easy for me, just pay attention and take good notes because notes are allowed on exams. I didnt study, just used my notes.

Shi is a theoretical linguistic with his principle interest in syntax and Universal Grammar, so he teaches language acquisition from a theoretical and primarily syntactic point of view. Some background in syntax (Ling 404) would be helpful if you take Ling 417 from this professor. Take good notes and READ the textbooks, and you'll do fine.

I've taken 301,302,and 417 with professor Shi. He mentioned not to say "nice" on the ratemyprofessors.com, haha. He has an accent and his writing is kinda not legitable but he tells us our writing isn't legitable lol... which is true. I had decent experiences with this professor. I highly recommend taking all his course if you are LRS major.

Nightmare. Not only a tough subject but not well taught. Everything piled on in the end with hardly any explanation. Final took 3 hours! He is nice and funny but this class felt impossible.

One of the most brilliant professors I've ever had! Challenging, but well worth taking. The man can dance circles around anyone when it comes to grammar/syntax. He shaped my college experience, and I will always be grateful to him.

The class is extremely complicated, but he's the best person to teach it and make it quite enjoyable. Don't miss class time b/c he tends to explain the reading in class. He has great sense of humor, numerous insights, gives good tips for your final research paper. He's English is very good, and he's one of the best ones of the department.

Don't let any initial confusion hold you back...he'll go over things if there's any confusion--IF you're willing to really learn it. His humor sometimes comes off as sarcasm, but he means well. HW is easy, just DO it! Exams are a challenge, so form a study group. Lectures are most helpful, so don't miss any classes.

You have to go to class and pay attention. Make sure you do all the homeworks, and the example problems he puts at the end of lectures. Those help a lot and are exactly what wil be on the test. He is hard, and hard to understand, but the class is totally doable if you try and pay attention. I have an A

He is a really great teacher! I would recommend him. Definitely pay attention because it is easy to get lost though. Overall, he is forgiving when it comes to grading and a really nice guy who values his students! Would take him again for another class.

Overall, great professor. He's initially hard to understand, but you get used to his accent. Not an easy class so attend the lectures, write down all the examples , do the homework and if needed, go to his office hours. He's extremely helpful, but you have to ask/stop him if you're confused. Definitely cares about his students.

Class material is difficult, which is why attendance is mandatory. However,by doing the homework and asking questions, the course became easier. He is very helpful and attentive to answering and clarifying questions. There are two exams that represent 80% of grade. Get a good grade on first one because final was much harder. I got an A.

I really enjoyed his classes. first taking his class you realized that you are dealing with a really high level individual. And he does explain well but learning syntax is difficult. He really challenges you to be a high level scholar.i think this type challenge is what some student take as him being less helpful. All students need thsi

Professor Shi class is very interesting, I was interested in the subject, but indeed it was hard. He only gives out a midterm and final which are 80% of your grade. Honestly I feel if he offered more test over little areas I would've done better. The test were difficult and a lot of people failed. Overall, he is willing to help, funny man.

He is a good professor and he makes his lectures funny and interesting but the information is hard to understand. Your entire grade is based of two test, most people in the class did not do well. The study guides are not extremely similar to the test.

The subject matter itself is difficult if you over-analyze it. Other than that, this class was a breeze. His accent is minimal and you can understand him just fine. His explanations started getting flimsy during the second half of the semester.

Understand that the course material is very difficult, but it is doable, provided that you attend, ask questions, and read the lecture notes. Visit his office hours if you are struggling because it really helps. He curves his exams and his homework is graded by whether you did it or not. He is a good professor, but don't expect to cruise by.

I only looked at this site out of curiosity. Students complained about his class, but it wasn't a bad course. Students made it much more complicated than it actually was. He is very open to input from students, very flexible, and sincerely wants students to do well. Come to every class, pay attention, ask questions, and you will do well!

This is an extremely difficult class, but Dr. Shi is the kindest man you will meet. Go see him during his office hours and he will help you. Both exams are take-home exams. You are allowed to work with classmates to master the content, and he curves the grades. Youll learn a lot in this class! Take it!

Professor grades only by 2 exams take home, both a midterm and final. If you go to office hours he will help you. Material was really hard, but the take home tests helped so much.

Professor Shi is very nice. He is very helpful if you go to his office hours and pay attention in class. I wouldnt take the class again but he is very helpful.

Linguistics is very hard. But Dr. Shi is very understanding and kind. He is willing to help you if you ask for help. If you miss class, you'll have trouble catching up since the material itself is difficult. He doesn't assign homework but he does give 2 take-home exams. They're based on everything he's taught, lecture notes are provided.

Grades by two exams (but don't let this scare you) go to his office hours and attend every class especially leading up to the exams! He will help you. During his online class he would give some answers to questions during class so do not skip. Ask a lot of questions. He's super nice. Help each other!

This was one of the toughest courses I have ever taken, and I am a CD major; however, Professor Shi provides LOTS of help and holds office hours to answer questions. The material is difficult but he understands this and just requires that you put forth your best effort. I would not take this class again, regardless of who teaches it!

There is two tests throughout the semester one midterm and one final that is it to determine your grade. This was not an easy class by all means but I got an A on both tests by studying the notes in class and hearing his lectures attentively when he is explaining test questions. I advise you to do the same and you will pass.

I would recommend one taking this course if you are good with communicating. There is a midterm and a final and some points added if you participate in class. If you go to class before the exams he will help with any questions and basically clears the scary look of the long exam. I got a good grade and he truly cared about answering all my question

Took him last semester (Fall 2021), is very open to questions on the assignments. Only two take-home assignments and a final assignment. No homework in this class, encourages students to speak up. I took this class since it was the only course that was available. Even though I am not a linguistics or speech pathology major, I kinda enjoyed it.

Graded by 2 take-home tests and "homework" which he never collects and if you're in class when it's due you get full credit. He goes over the take-home test the week leading up to its due date so if you go to class on those dates you will get most of the answers from him.

TAKE HIM! Not sure why he has a bad rep. Yes his accent is heavy and has sloppy writing but all the notes are in canvas so just fill it in. Only 2 take home tests which he gives you answers and encourages you to ask! ask! ask! HE WILL HELP! He is very chill as well so if you are struggling or need to retake the test, ask and he will work with you!

I dont know why this professor has such a bad rating. This class isn't easy by any means, but this professor is willing to help you. He cares more about you LEARNING the material, rather than just passing the tests. He's super funny. 2 take home tests that he will review with you in class. He curves them as well. I would 100% take him again.

Professor Shi is a very kind man and a wonderful professor. He's very helpful and receptive to all questions. The class itself is incredibly easy if you pay attention during the lectures. Grades are composed of two take home tests, which he reviews in class.

He is difficult when grading because he's picky with what he's looking for. However, he always allows the students to ask questions and takes the time to answer them clearly. As long as you actually take notes and pay attention in class, you're going to do fine. He is very helpful and even makes jokes to keep you entertained.