Irina Walsh, Ph.D. ’14, senior lecturer in Russian is the winner, along with her co-authers, of this year’s American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages (AATSEEL) prize for Best Book in Second Language Acquisition.
Russian through Film: For Intermediate to Advanced Students was praised by the prize committee for its "innovative and comprehensive approach to the field of Russian language learning and teaching."
The book uses contemporary Russian language films to help students develop their speaking, listening, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
"Authors Anna Kudyma, Irina Six, and Irina Walsh have crafted a wealth of scaffolded activities that empower students to take an active role in their language acquisition journey," the prize committee wrote. "In addition to its pedagogical strengths, Russian through Film does not shy away from tackling complex and challenging topics, such as the legacy of the Gulag. By addressing such themes, the textbook equips students with the tools to engage critically with difficult truths that continue to shape the Russian-speaking world.”
