Professor John Rassias of
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (April 30, 2004) — Learning a foreign language is challenging even for the most linguistically inclined person. Professor John Rassias of Dartmouth College, author of a hands-on method for teaching a second language, will speak about “Language, Culture and Politics” on Friday, May 7, at 8:30 p.m. at Fairfield University’s Alumni House.
Prof.
Rassias is the William R. Kenan Professor and Chair of the Department of French
and Italian at Dartmouth, and president of the Rassias Foundation. He
originated the “Rassias Method” and Dartmouth Intensive Language Model (DILM),
which were adapted for the needs of
The “Rassias Method” is a way to teach vocabulary in a different language through the use of physical demonstrations. It eliminates the need to translate a new word into its equivalent word in the students’ native tongue. This method uses humor and playfulness to help put students at ease and make them more comfortable with speaking. The goal is to accelerate the students’ ability to communicate orally in a new language.
“Prof. Rassias is
the best known foreign language teaching professional in the world today. His
dramatic, systematic, and communicative approach to language teaching has
provided us with the model upon which the Department of Modern Languages and
Literatures at
“Our research shows that for at least 80 percent of students in a Core language course, the top priority is to speak the language. The Oral Practice Sessions are crucial in enabling them to meet that goal, one of the Department’s as well,” Dr. Goldfield added.
In addition to using the Rassias method for the Oral Practice Sessions, University College at Fairfield University regularly collaborates with the Rassias Foundation on immersion language programs, such as the Accelerated Language Programs at Dartmouth College and the new Weekend Immersion Programs, which have been held on the Fairfield University campus three times since Fall 2003 and have attracted students from all over the United States.
Introductions to
Prof. Rassias’ talk by Dr. Goldfield and Dean Edna Wilson of
Sponsored
by the
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Vol. 36, No. 273