BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Rachel Kraut leads the Language Programs at the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University. She began working with the program in 2016 as an Associate Director and was named Director of Innovative Academic Programs, Language Programs in 2022, and Interim Director of Language Programs in 2026. She is responsible for the promotion, development, and administration of the Language Programs including the ESL Part-Time Program, the Foreign Language Program, the Intensive English Program, the ESL Communication Skills Program, the Online English Success in the Workplace Program, and the Online English and Academic Preparation Program. Dr. Kraut was the lead developer and instructor on the award-winning ‘English and Academic Preparation: Pre-Collegiate’ course on Coursera, which was named a Top 10 New Course in 2021. She was also recognized as ‘TexTESOLer of the Year’ in 2019 for Texas ESC Region 4. This award is given annually to a professional in ESL or bilingual education who exhibits outstanding service to the field of multilingual education.

She has over 15 years of experience in language education and language program administration in K-12, adult education, and higher education settings both in the United States and abroad. Dr. Kraut holds a Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition & Teaching from the University of Arizona, an M.A. in Second Language Acquisition & Teaching from the University of Arizona, an M.A. in Theoretical Linguistics from the University of North Texas, and a B.S. in Education & Spanish from the University of North Texas. She also serves as a volunteer peer reviewer for the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) and is a Director-at-Large for the EnglishUSA board. Previously, she chaired TESOL International's Professional Development professional council and has served in various positions for her local TexTESOL affiliate. Beyond language program administration, Dr. Kraut has also worked as a consultant in language teacher professional development for public school districts and universities abroad, as a content developer and translator for Rosetta Stone, as an ESL teacher, and has developed and taught many university-level courses in ESL/language teacher education programs.