Christine F. Vail

Professor of Practice in Communication Sciences & Disorders

cvail1@stonehill.edu
Duffy 245
Health Science

Biography

Professor of Practice in Communication Sciences & Disorders Christine Vail is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist who specializes in pediatric inpatient rehabilitation. She has worked at top rehabilitation hospitals across the country, including Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, Rusk Rehabilitation in New York City, and Spaulding Rehabilitation in Boston.

Vail’s research focuses on language and literacy development in children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including dual language learners. She has experience with both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and is committed to conducting translational, clinically relevant research that bridges evidence and practice.

Education

  • Ph.D., Communication Sciences & Disorders, Columbia University
  • M.S., Speech-Language Pathology, Rush University
  • B.A., Psychology, Butler University

Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Communication Sciences & Disorders
  • Speech & Language Development
  • Speech & Language Disorders

Selected Publications, Presentations, Awards & Accomplishments

  • Vail, C., Hammer, C. S., Zajic, M., & Lopez, L. (2025). Examining language use and classroom factors among Spanish-English dual language learners in preschool. Early Education & Development, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2025.2548032
  • Bitetti, D., Vail, C., Hammer, C. S., & Lopez, L. (2025). Language dominance and the school readiness of Spanish-English dual language learners. Early Education & Development, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2025.2521246
  • Vail, C., Hammer, C.S., Zajic, M., & Lopez, L. (2025). Examining home and classroom contextual factors associated with school readiness of Spanish-English speaking DLLs. [Paper symposium]. Society for Research on Child Development Biennial Meeting, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Vail, C., Hammer, C.S., Zajic, M., & Lopez, L. (2024). DLLs’ language usage in preschool classrooms: Examining associations with Spanish and English oral language development. [Technical research session]. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, Seattle, WA.
  • Vail, C., Hammer, C.S., & Lopez, L. (2024). DLLs’ classroom talk: How usage promotes the development of Spanish and English oral language skills. [Oral seminar]. Pre-meeting for the Bridging the Word Gap Research Network at the Conference on Research Innovations in Early Childhood, San Diego, CA.
  • Vail, C., Hammer, C.S., & Lopez, L. (2024). Examining classroom factors as predictors of dual language learners’ Spanish and English usage in preschool. [Individual Poster]. National Research Conference on Early Childhood, Washington, D.C.
  • Vail, C., Hammer, C. S., & Lopez, L. (2023). Investigating dual language learners’ use of Spanish and English with peers in preschool. [Technical research session]. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA.
  • Vail, C., Smith, J. C., Hammer, C. S., & Wasik, B. (2023). Book reading for dual language learners: Strategies for supporting bilingual language development. [Oral seminar]. National Association of Bilingual Educators, Portland, OR.
  • Anderson, K., Hammer, C. S., Wasik, B., Vail, Smith, J. C., & Mahowald, C. (2023). Promoting young English learner’s language and early literacy skills through an evidence-based professional development program. [Oral seminar]. National Association of Bilingual Educators, Portland, OR.
  • Smith, J. C., Vail, C., Hammer, C. S., & Wasik, B. (2023). Strategies for promoting bilingual vocabulary development in young dual language learners. [Oral seminar]. National Association of Bilingual Educators, Portland, OR.
  • Vail, C., Smith, J. C., Mehta, K., Keffala, B., Hammer, C. S., & Wasik, B. (2022). Teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic: An examination of preschool teachers’ daily experiences across instructional modalities. [Poster presentation]. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
  • Keffala, B., Hammer, C. S., Wasik, B., Mehta, K., Vail, C., & Smith, J. C. (2022). Teaching DLLs during COVID-19: Teaching modality affects instructional practices, language use, and caregiver engagement. [Poster presentation]. Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention, San Diego, CA.
  • Bridging the Word Gap Emerging Scholars Award
  • Doctoral Fellowship
  • Most Outstanding Student Award in Speech-Language Pathology
  • Graduate Student Scholarship, ASHFoundation
  • Phi Beta Kappa Society

For You