Paula Garrett-Rucks

Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2010
M.A. in Contemporary French Studies, University of California-Santa Barbara, 2004
M.Ed. in Educational Technology, National University, San Diego, CA, 2000
Teaching Credential in French and Biology, National University, San Diego, CA (2000) with a Subject Matter Authorization in English for Speakers of Other Languages, University of California San Diego (2001)
B.S. in Zoology, Michigan State University, 1995

World languages education
Intercultural communicative competence
Computer Assisted language learning
Early language learning
Internationalization

Paula Garrett-Rucks is an active researcher in the teaching and learning of world languages (L2). Specifically, her research focus is on fostering intercultural competence in instructed language learning, L2 hypermedia text use and early language learning. Her publications center on the formation of L2 learners’ cultural perceptions and stereotypes, the role of affect in second language learning, learning gains with L2 hypermedia text use and L2 language use and identity issues in dual language immersion. In addition to her recent book, “Intercultural Competence in Instructed Language Learning: Bridging Theory and Practice” (2016), her work appears in leading journals in the field, including the Modern Language Journal, Foreign Language Annals, French Review, International Journal of Intercultural Relations and Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium Journal.

Garrett-Rucks serves as the editor for the Southern Conference on Language Teaching’s peer-edited journal, Dimension. She served as the chair (2016-2018) and former secretary (2013-2015) of the ACTFL Teaching and Learning of Cultures SIG, where she founded and edited the quarterly newsletter. She was also an invited member of the ACTFL Interculturality Task Force and the Suny Global Center’s Task Force on measuring the effectiveness of university efforts to promote students’ intercultural effectiveness through internationalization. Most notably, Garrett-Rucks is the national award recipient of the 2016 ACTFL Nelson Brooks Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Culture.

Garrett-Rucks serves as the coordinator of the foreign languages education program and teaches multiple courses at Georgia State on foreign language methods and second language acquisition learning and theory. Her specialty in the program is the early language learning teaching methods (Pre-K to grade 8). She enjoys training and collaborating with language teachers across levels and mentoring graduate students. In her free time, she enjoys bird-watching, nature conservancy efforts and collecting music instruments from her international travels. Learn more about her work at https://gsu.academia.edu/PaulaGarrettRucks.