Sébastien Dubreil
Teaching Professor of French and Francophone Studies, Second Language Acquisition and Technology-Enhanced Learning
- POS 341E
- 412-268-5065
Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics
4980 Margaret Morrison St
Posner Hall 341
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Education
Ph.D., French and Educational Studies, Emory University
M.A., Economics and Business Administration, Université de Nantes
Bio
Sébastien Dubreil's work as a scholar is intertwined with his work as an educator. As a researcher in computer-assisted language learning (CALL), he is particularly interested in how to build effective, technology-rich learning environments that extend beyond the classroom and engage learners in exciting, empowering and culturally relevant ways.
Dubreil's research focuses on designing and framing complex learning experiences that foster language and culture learning. He critically examines the affordances of technological tools—such as games, multimedia, telecollaboration and generative AI—to reimagine pedagogical practices and promote active, collaborative learning. Currently, he is exploring the potential of social pedagogies, linguistic landscapes and ludic approaches to second language learning through both gameplay and game design. This includes (1) a developed in collaboration with Sabrina Culyba, founder and principal at Ludoliminal; (2) , an online game co-created with Cary Staples, professor of design at the University of Tennessee and a 2015 Reimagine Education conference finalist; and (3) a platform for place-based mobile experiences. Both graduate and undergraduate students contribute to these projects.
Ultimately, his work aims to connect language learners to physical and digital communities, offering opportunities for learning through making and other hands-on experiences. His research has been published in The Modern Language Journal, CALICO Journal, Foreign Language Annals, L2 Journal and the International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning Environments, among others.
Areas of Interest
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- Technology-enhanced learning
- Social pedagogies
- French & Francophone studies
- Linguistic landscape
- Playful learning
Courses Taught
- All levels of the French curriculum
- 82-283 Language Diversity and Cultural Identity
- 82-304 Sociolinguistics of the Francophone World
- 82-415 Social Justice in Contemporary France (and Germany)
- 82-416 Gaming Culture and Culture of Games
- 66-131 Sports, Conflict and Culture and/in VR
Selected Awards and Honors
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- Generative AI in Teaching as Research (GAITAR) Fellow, Eberly Center for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Innovation, 온라인바카라, 2023-2024
- The Kenner Room Grant, Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics, 온라인바카라. Project: “Culture of Games and Gaming Culture: Learning French Culture through Games and Game Design”
- The Kenner Room Grant, Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics, 온라인바카라. Project: “Developing Interactive Webdocumentaries for Culture Learning”
- Andrew W. Mellon Technology-Enhanced Learning Seed Grant. Project: “Enhancing Interaction in Intermediate Level French Online Courses”
Selected Community, University & Professional Service
- Director, LCAL Studio and Humanities Commons
- Director, Language Online Courses
- Advisory Board, Applied Linguistics Press
- Editorial Board, Second Language Research and Practice
Selected Publications
Books (Edited Volumes)
Dubreil, Sébastien, David Malinowski, and Hiram H. Maxim, editors. . Springer, 2023.
Malinowski, David, Hiram H. Maxim, and Sébastien Dubreil, editors. . Springer, 2020.
Dubreil, Sébastien, and Steven L. Thorne, editors. . Cengage, 2017.
Book Chapters
Dubreil, Sébastien, and Sabrina Culyba. “Apprentissages, création et jeu(x) en cours de FLE: Approches et enjeux.” Regards sur le jeu en didactique des langues et des cultures: Penser, concevoir, évaluer, former, edited by Haydée Silva, Peter Lang, 2022, pp. 123–46.
Journal Articles
Dubreil, Sébastien, and Gillian Lord. “.” CALICO Journal, vol. 38, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1–11.