Profile

Michele Regalla is an Associate Professor of ESOL and World Languages Education at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Regalla is certified in French and elementary education with K-12 teaching experience in the Pennsylvania public school system. Prior to earning her doctoral degree at the University of Pittsburgh, she taught French in both elementary and secondary schools, taught in a university intensive English program, and taught English to elementary students in Costa Rica. Dr. Regalla coordinates the World Languages Education undergraduate program, the MAT World Languages Education track, and advises doctoral students in the TESOL program.

Dr. Regalla’s research interests involve both local and international partnerships. She was chosen as a Fulbright Senior Scholar in cooperation with the University of Málaga, Spain to conduct research on bilingual education at the secondary level. Dr. Regalla also studies teacher preparation for culturally and linguistically diverse students through service-learning abroad. She coordinates a short-term study abroad program in Atenas, Costa Rica where UCF students gain experience teaching English in a bilingual school while staying with Spanish-speaking host families. Locally, Dr. Regalla directs a language program at United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Bailes Community Academy where she conducts research on early childhood language education inclusive of students with special needs.

Areas of Expertise

K-12 French, Spanish, and ESOL Education

Education

University of Pittsburgh

Research Interests

• Bilingual Education
• Service-Learning
• Early Childhood Inclusion

Current Funded Projects

Regalla, M. Language Learning for All, funded by the Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood PI of a research project investigating the relationship between first and second language learning for students with special needs.