Multilingual Educator and Researcher with 10+ years of experience in higher education, applied linguistics, and curriculum development. Expertise in EFL/ESP/RFL instruction, international exam preparation (TOEFL/IELTS/TORFL), and linguistic research. Published scholar with a Ph.D. in Germanic Philology and a passion for fostering cross-cultural communication through innovative pedagogy.
Hi, I’m
Daria Zhgun
Assistant Professor
Daegu
Summary
Overview
13
years of professional experience
11
years of post-secondary education
4
Languages
Work History
Montclair State University
Research Assistant
08.2014 - 08.2015
Job overview
- Company Overview: Department of Applied Linguistics
- Assisted in lesson planning, grading, and delivering lectures on SLA theories, psycholinguistics, and ESL/EFL methodology.
- Audited graduate seminars and contributed to research on bilingual education and pragmatics.
- Department of Applied Linguistics
Altai State Pedagogical University
Ph.D. Student & Instructor
11.2012 - 08.2015
Job overview
- Taught courses in English linguistics and pedagogy; supervised student research projects.
- Published peer-reviewed articles on emotional semantics in literature and presented at international conferences.
English Direction (Licensed Academy)
CEO & EFL Instructor
08.2012 - 08.2015
Job overview
- Founded and managed an EFL academy, training 200+ students (K–12 and adults) in general/business English and exam prep.
- Developed customized curricula and led workshops on study abroad opportunities and academic writing.
Daegu Catholic University
Assistant Professor
03.2016 - Current
Job overview
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in English, Russian, Literature, EFL, and ESP, employing student-centered methodologies.
- Design and implement curricula for TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, and TORFL preparation programs, improving student pass rates.
- Lead extracurricular initiatives: Language camps, speaking/reading clubs, and workshops on linguistic research.
- Conduct interdisciplinary research on fostering motivation for EFL reading, development of student metaphorical thinking and emotional intelligence, and emotional semantics in literary discourse.
Education
Altai State Pedagogical University
Ph.D. from Philology (Germanic Languages)
11.2012 - 11.2016
University Overview
Dissertation: “Linguistic Representation of Emotional and Evaluative Overtones in Literary Discourse.”
- Graduation with Honors
- [4.0] GPA
University of The People
M.Ed. from Advanced Teaching
11.2020 - 08.2022
University Overview
Thesis: “Clip Thinking’s Impact on Foreign Language Reading Ability.”
- [3.94] GPA
Altai State Pedagogical University
M.A./B.A. (Specialist Degree) from Teaching Foreign Languages And Cultures
09.2007 - 07.2012
University Overview
Specialization: English/German Linguistics & Pedagogy.
- Graduation with Honours
- [3.92] GPA/CGPA
Skills
Student research guidance
undefinedInternational Experience
International Experience
Student/Researcher, USA (NAU, MSU), Student, UK (Bellerbys College), Student, South Korea (GNUE)
Publications
Publications
- Fostering Student Metaphorical Thinking in EFL Reading Classes through the Method of Constructing a Text Associative-Semantic Field, 2025, USA
- Metaphor as an Attempt to 'Look into' the Essence of Things, 2024, Russia
- Linguistic Representation of Emotional and Evaluative Overtones in Literary Discourse, 2023, UK
- Construction of a Text Associative Semantic Field as a Means of Revealing Emotional and Evaluative Overtones in Literary Discourse (Based on the Analysis of Nabokov’s Short Story 'Terror'), 2023, Germany
- Specifics of Teaching Foreign Languages in South Korean Universities, 2021, Russia
- The Semantic Content of the Notions Fear and Anger and the Conditional Changes of These Emotions, 2019, Venezuela
- Pragmatic Potential of Emotional Utterances in Literary Texts, 2019, Europe
Timeline
University of The People
M.Ed. from Advanced Teaching
11.2020 - 08.2022
Assistant Professor
Daegu Catholic University
03.2016 - Current
Research Assistant
Montclair State University
08.2014 - 08.2015
Ph.D. Student & Instructor
Altai State Pedagogical University
11.2012 - 08.2015
Altai State Pedagogical University
Ph.D. from Philology (Germanic Languages)
11.2012 - 11.2016
CEO & EFL Instructor
English Direction (Licensed Academy)
08.2012 - 08.2015
Altai State Pedagogical University
M.A./B.A. (Specialist Degree) from Teaching Foreign Languages And Cultures
09.2007 - 07.2012
Similar Profiles
Yeyi Asman BillaYeyi Asman Billa
Investment Analyst at Montclair State University MontclairInvestment Analyst at Montclair State University Montclair
Colin Van HornColin Van Horn
Technical Director at Montclair State University, CPOTechnical Director at Montclair State University, CPO
Christian BaseliceChristian Baselice
Teacher's Assistant at Montclair State University NJTeacher's Assistant at Montclair State University NJ
Anthony LacksAnthony Lacks
Event Operations Technician at Montclair State UniversityEvent Operations Technician at Montclair State University
Jihyuk ParkJihyuk Park
주임연구원(Research Engineer) at 지능형자동차부품진흥원(KIAPI)주임연구원(Research Engineer) at 지능형자동차부품진흥원(KIAPI)