NEWS

Dr. Dolliann Margaret Hurtig, an associate professor of French at Louisiana Tech, presented her research regarding methods for teaching French through the use of films at the July meeting of the American Association of Teachers of French convention at San Jose, Calif.

Hurtig also co-chaired a session using films based on novelist Marcel Pagnol’s works, “Jean de Florette” and “Manson des Sources,” as instruments for teaching French.

“I chose these films of because they depict the natural beauty of Provence while providing a commentary upon the nature of village life and what it means to be an outsider,” Hurtig said. “I related the latter aspect to the timely problem of immigration and how immigrants do not necessarily have the means to succeed, and if their needs are once met, they will prosper.”

During the presentation, Hurtig suggested that one strategy for promoting French would be for members of AATF to hold a film fest in their own communities to celebrate National French Week this November.

“The film fest idea has been very well-received through the years because professors and teachers enjoy showing films in their local communities,” Hurtig said. “What we did at the AATF Annual Convention was to choose prize-winning films and show how to use these films for a festival or for classroom use. As far as the Ruston community, I would like very much to do a festival celebration with my colleague in French, Dr. (Rudy) de Mattos (assistant professor of French). We did a fest two years ago that was quite well-received.”

The presentation followed as part of her duties as co-chair of the Commission for the Promotion of French in the United States.

Written by Judith Roberts