Richard Strager

Visiting Lecturer, World Languages and CulturesSullivan Building 117A978.542.6258ESL Instructor, Center for International EducationLafayette Annex

Professional Biography

I am currently teaching Italian, Spanish, and English as a Second Language at Salem State University. I’ve been teaching here very happily since 2007 and truly love what I do. I have a passion for teaching and languages. My Master’s degree in Teaching (School for International Training, 2009) has helped me to be a flexible and highly-organized teacher with a student-centered focus.

Some of the multi-level content-based language classes I have created and continue to teach at Salem State are English through Music, Listening Lab, Current Events, Discover Salem, and Discover Boston and the North Shore. I like to teach creatively and make my language classes as dynamic, interactive and communicative as possible.

Before teaching at Salem State University, I was the director of the community English program at the North Shore Community Development Corporation in Salem focused on ESL and job readiness. I also taught English as a Foreign language for three years in both Italy and Japan.

Professional Interests

Professional interests include teaching languages in multi-media approach, using music, film and tour-based instruction. I would like to teach French, as well.

Responsibilities

Plan and teach dynamic language lessons of various levels to university students. Foster communication and cross cultural understanding. Create and implement targeted assessment tools.

Selected Publications

Lingua Franca, Salem State University: Let’s MEETUP and speak a foreign language! Fall 2015

Lingua Franca, Salem State University: Couch Surfing in Sicily, Spring 2013

Lingua Franca, Salem State University: Vacation and Study Adventure in Guatemala, Spring 2011

Lingua Franca, Salem State University: My Life Aboard the Peaceboat, Spring 2008

Selected Presentations

MAFLA 2012, Teaching Italian through Music

MAFLA 2013 Teaching Italian through Film

MATSOL 2013 Teaching Discover classes (Tour-based immersion-style ESOL lessons)

SIT Keystone Conference 2007 Best practices for the First Day of Class

Personal Interests

Enjoys traveling, language exchange, playing volleyball, and independent cinema.