Language method workshop for teachers offered | Press Releases

University College at Fairfield University has teamed up with The Rassias Foundation at Dartmouth College to offer a language workshop for teachers with the goal of providing theory and practice in more than 30 classroom techniques that teachers can integrate into classroom instruction.

The workshop will be held on the weekend of March 11-12, 2005, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Professor John A. Rassias of Dartmouth will be the principal instructor. The high-energy workshops highlight specific teaching strategies, techniques and activities that create a dynamic classroom pace; provide for unusually high rates of student participation; and foster spontaneity of expression and creative use of the language.

The workshop utilizes the "Rassias Method" for language teaching and the Dartmouth Intensive Language Model (DILM), which were adapted to the needs of Fairfield University by Joel Goldfield, Ph.D., associate professor of modern languages and literatures at Fairfield, in 1998. Conceived by Prof. John Rassias, the "Rassias Method" is a way to develop proficiency in another language through the use of physical demonstrations and frequent guided speaking. It eliminates the need to translate a new word into its equivalent word in the students' native tongue.

Weekend Immersion Programs (WIPs) will also be offered at Fairfield University during the weekends of April 8-10, 2005 and October 7-9, 2005. Advanced beginners and intermediate level speakers in French, Italian and Spanish are invited to hone their language skills through an intensive weekend of study and practice designed to reinforce and improve speaking ability in a short period of time.

Prospective participants interested in languages other than French, Italian and Spanish are encouraged to inform University College of their language preferences for future programs.

Tuition for the Rassias Language Method Workshop for Teachers is $400. For an optional 1.4 CEU fee please add $25. The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2005.

Tuition for the WIP program is $400 plus a non-refundable $100 registration fee due at registration. A $10 materials fee is also due at registration. Full payment is due 10 days prior to class. Lunches with staff are mandatory and included in the cost of the program. Breakfast, dinner and transportation to and from Fairfield are not provided. The registration deadline for the April WIPs is Friday, March 25; the deadline for the October WIPs is Friday, September 23. A phone interview is required. For more information, call University College at 203-254-4307.

University College at Fairfield University is the gateway for individuals seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional certificate programs, study abroad and personal enrichment opportunities. With an emphasis on quality, convenience and flexibility, University College offers a wide variety of evening, day, online and weekend programs taught by a distinguished faculty. University College offers an enriching personal and powerful educational experience that is backed by the resources and reputation of a great Jesuit university. For program information e-mail gradadmis@mail.fairfield.edu or visit www.fairfield.edu or call (203) 254-4184.