Dartmouth Language Professor To Speak At Fairfield University

FAIRFIELD — Learning a foreign language is challenging even for the most linguistically inclined individual. Dartmouth University professor John Rassias, author of a hands-on method for teaching a second language, will discuss his methodology in a speech, “Language, Culture and Politics,” on Friday, May 7, at 8:30 pm in 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 Fairfield University by Joel Goldfield, PhD, associate professor of modern languages and literature in 1998.

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.

“Prof Rassias is the best known foreign language teaching professional in the world today,” said Dr Goldfield.

Sponsored by the Culpeper Language Resource Center of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, the University College at Fairfield University and Dartmouth Club of Eastern Fairfield County, the talk is open to Fairfield University students, faculty, and staff as well as Dartmouth students and alumni. A limited number of tickets will be available to the general public and will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Admission to the speech is free, although seating is limited. For ticket reservations, contact Dr Goldfield at 203-254-4000, ext 2304.