Dr. Laureen A. Fregeau
Education
B. S., Biology, Minor in Chemistry, Stonehill College, Massachusetts, 1979
Peace Corps Training, Center for Human Potential, Project Planning and Management,
Fisheries Sciences, Spanish, Latin American Culture, Guatemala, 1980
New England Bilingual Special Education Faculty/Dean Training Institute, Harvard University
and Bridgewater State College, 1985-86, (Certificate)
M. A., Applied Linguistics in ESL/Bilingual Education, University of Massachusetts
at Boston, 1987
Educational Planning Certificate 1989
Ph.D., Education Theory and Policy, International Development, Pennsylvania State
University, 1991
Teaching Philosophy
People learn differently and through varying approaches and modes. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. I have always taken a student-centered, constructivist (from a Critical Theoretical) approach. I address all learning styles, incorporate authentic assessments, apply new technologies, and I restructure my courses yearly based on input from students. I want students to be able to apply their new knowledge to improve their lives and the lives of their community and their world. My courses will continue to be high-quality and demanding.
We live in a global community thus our citizens need to be aware and experienced in global perspectives and experiences to fully contribute to our nation’s success and their own. To this all my teaching incorporates global perspectives. I incorporate interactions between my students and people around the globe through videoconferencing and other technologies. My students are encouraged and assisted to reach out to people around the globe who can help them broaden their perspectives, knowledge and cross-cultural connections. Our lives are busy and so delivery of education should be flexible giving students options from which they can select what best suits their needs and preferences. To this end I offer my students class attendance via physical or virtual participation. My courses offer students assignment choices so that, within the course content, they may self-direct the course to fit their interests.
Research
Education Policy, Comparative and International Education, Applied Linguistics (ESL/Bilingual education), Latin American Issues/Education (particularly Central America) and social justice, equity and diversity issues in education.
International Videoconferencing, International Perspectives: Working with my international research team collaborate with scholars in/from other countries (Kenya, India, Armenia, Honduras and El Salvador) on research in two areas:
- videoconferencing as a tool to connect students and faculty internationally for cross-cultural service learning, and
- examining comparative educational and research experiences in policy and language/communication/linguistics.
Our current projects examine
- our comparative experiences as educators during COVID
- micro-dialects in English language and Communications programs
- power relationships and hegemony in research partnering between the global north and the global south
Gender Inequality in Music Education - a study of gender-based inequities and stereotypes that result in barriers to women's employment opportunity as band directors.
Outreach
- Emerald Coast TESOL: Editor of ECTESOL Review Journal and Emerald Coast TESOL, conference committee (conference program)
- Consulting and collaboration on EFL and international videoconferencing with universities and EFL organizations in Colombia, Armenia, El Salvador and Honduras
- Editorial Board and Reviewer for School and Community Journal
- Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education Museum Board
Biography
Laureen A. Fregeau is Associate Professor of Educational Foundations at the University of South Alabama where she teaches world languages, applied linguistics, multicultural education, gender and international development, and international and comparative education. Her Ph.D. in Education Theory and Policy with concentrations in International Development, Gender and Development and Foundations of Education was earned at The Pennsylvania State University. She enjoys working with both graduate and undergraduate students.
Dr. Fregeau began her international work as a Peace Corps Volunteer in 1980 and has worked with immigrant and international populations since then in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, the Philippines, Armenia and various parts of the U. S. Her research has included assessing diversity/ESOL issues in teacher preparation, innovative African American and rural school education in Alabama, and issues of gender and development in Latin America, applied linguistics and academic and linguistic power relationships between the Global North and the Global South. Dr. Fregeau holds a Masters in Applied Linguistics in ESL/Bilingual Education She has worked with ELs and immigrants at middle school through adult levels and in ESOL/EFL/Bilingual teacher preparation.
Dr. Fregeau has been an advocate of equity in university policy and diversity education since she joined South in 1994. She was a co-founder of the ad-hoc USA organization the Campus Diversity Coalition in 1996, served on the College of Education's Dean's Council on Diversity and was faculty advisor to South's GSA for 14 years. Now in her second term as a Faculty Senator and she serves as the Chair of the Faculty Senate Diversity Committee and as a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council. As a World Wise Schools presenter Dr. Fregeau fulfills the Peace Corps Third Goal through educating local K-12 students about Guatemalan and Honduran cultures.
Dr. Fregeau enjoys travel and learning about other cultures through immersion and collaboration experiences. She has lived or spent extended time in Armenia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Philippines. Her travels have also taken her to France, Panama, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Canada, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Saint Maartin and Ecuador.
Courses
EDF 300 Gender and International Development
EDF 310 International Development and Education
EDF 315 Living, Working and Educating in a Diverse and Global Society
EDF 320 Comparative and International Gender and Family Issues
EDF 515 Multicultural Education
EDF 615 Seminar in Education Policy Studies
LG 110 World Languages
LNG 300 Introduction to Applied Linguistics
LNG 400 Applied Linguistics
ELT 545 Cross-cultural Understanding for Teachers of English Language Learners