Brian Barabe: ACTFL should show more respect for the profession it represents
Brian Barabe comments on ACTFL featuring “Speak the Language,” on SMARTBRIEF. "Speak the Language" appeared in a highly circulated magazine, and promoted heavy grammar study, memorizing vocabulary and forced speech:
I am appalled at the damage you have risked doing to, and the low regard you show for, our profession by your link to Eil’s article “Speak the Language” in the Washington Post. First, the Post’s subtitle, “A State Department staffer reveals his tricks for becoming fluent fast,” is truly misleading. Just one example: Eil states that he has "given press conferences in confident Russian." Well la-de-dah! That is a consummation devoutly to be hoped for, considering that he has an A.B. from Harvard in Russian history and literature and lived in Russia in 2000,
I am appalled at the damage you have risked doing to, and the low regard you show for, our profession by your link to Eil’s article “Speak the Language” in the Washington Post. First, the Post’s subtitle, “A State Department staffer reveals his tricks for becoming fluent fast,” is truly misleading. Just one example: Eil states that he has "given press conferences in confident Russian." Well la-de-dah! That is a consummation devoutly to be hoped for, considering that he has an A.B. from Harvard in Russian history and literature and lived in Russia in 2000,