The Oral Proficiency Intern (OPI) program was thrilled to offer students the opportunity to learn directly from the family that pioneered the teaching method RCDS has been using for decades: The Rassias Method. The RCDS OPI program pairs Upper School student mentors with language learners from younger classes to create memorable opportunities for community and practice around language learning.

A renowned drill-based approach, the Rassias Method was developed by John Rassias, a Dartmouth College theater professor whose dynamic, performance-driven style revolutionized language instruction. This method, which has since been used to train Peace Corps volunteers and language learners worldwide, accelerates language acquisition through utilizing:

• Dramatic Energy – Teachers use movement, expression, and theatrical techniques to engage students
• Drills and Repetition – Students repeat short, fast-paced phrases and dialogues to build fluency and confidence.
• Immersion – Classes are conducted in the target language as much as possible, creating an immersive experience.
• Low Inhibition – Students are encouraged to speak without fear of mistakes, making practice more natural and frequent.
• Community – collaborative trust and connection between teacher and students are established similar the dynamic between directors and actors in the theater 

On Monday, October 6, RCDS had the distinct privilege of hosting John Rassias’ daughter, Helene Rassias, who now carries forward her father’s educational legacy. Ms. Rassias conducted a two-hour training session for RCDS OPIs, offering firsthand insights and guidance as it related to the unique approach. It was especially engaging for students to observe the dialogue Ms. Rassias led in Greek for our students, underscoring the immersive and theatrical nature of the drills. 

To prepare the students for the training with Ms. Rassias, RCDS Middle School Pen Vineyard, a former Rassias drill instructor, conducted an initial introduction and demonstration of the Rassias method on September 16.

Our evening training session with Helene Rassias brought a new energy and enthusiasm to this longstanding program, as OPI trainees could really grasp why their role in the classroom is so vital to our beginning language learners. We were thrilled to have Helene Rassias in our midst—she did a beautiful job of explaining the why and how of this type of immersive experience. 

Maggie Parker, US French Teacher