High school world languages and cultures teacher Mario Rojas writes, "The Rassias Method workshop, held as part of the Learning Institute at ASL on 18-19 January, was a great success. Educators from all over the globe, hailing from places as far as Brazil and Singapore, participated in this intensive, two-day introduction to Rassias Method techniques. Led by Helene Rassias-Miles, executive director of Dartmouth College's Rassias Center, teachers learned the basics of the renowned conversation drill technique pioneered by Professor John Rassias that can elicit more than 65 spoken responses per student per hour. The method aims, as stated by the Rassias Center, 'to make the participant feel comfortable and natural with the language in a short period of time....accomplished through a specific series of teaching procedures and dramatic techniques, which seek to eliminate inhibitions and create an atmosphere of free expression.' Following suit, teachers got in touch with their theatrical side, acting out dialogues and improvisational skits, engaging each other in communicative games, and learning how to inspire their students to do the same."
Mario and fellow ASL world languages and cultures teacher Whitney Nuchereno assisted in leading the workshop, being trained in the RM themselves and using it on a daily basis in their classes. Department head Lanting Xu and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Roberto D'Erizans were instrumental in the planning and execution of the workshop, as well.
Mario continues, "For everyone involved, it was an honor to work side-by-side with Helene Rassias-Miles and to reach out to educators from so many corners of the globe. Our hope is that every participant took away many practical activities that they can implement into their classes immediately, and that John Rassias's philosophy, which is, at its heart, a humanist and optimistic one, will become a permanent part of their pedagogy."
Find out more about the Learning Institute at ASL.
