Spanish Language Intensive: Persuasive Dialogue

Learn or improve oral comprehension and speaking skills in an immersive course which encompasses Spanish language grammar contextualized for a persuasive setting, such as business, politics, law or leadership. Utilizing both general and persuasive-specific vocabulary, students will gain skills and confidence needed for interactions in Spanish in a potential career. Developed for training Peace Corps volunteers in the early 1960s and adapted to college level instruction in 1967, the Rassias Method® combines dramatic techniques, rhythmic drills, and energetic reinforcement strategies that make learning an engaging experience, while eliminating inhibitions. Dartmouth College is recognized for its leadership in language education, and the Rassias Method remains a defining pedagogical approach which continues to be used in language instruction today. The Rassias Method consistently meets the collective goal of fostering a language and cultural foundation, and builds confidence for genuine cultural and humanistic interactions in Spanish.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Communicate persuasively in spoken Spanish, using appropriate rhetorical strategies and culturally relevant expressions.
2. Formulate and support arguments clearly and convincingly in a variety of settings, including debates, negotiations, and presentations.
3. Demonstrate advanced fluency with rapid, spontaneous speech in thematic dialogues focused on persuasion.
4. Interpret and respond effectively to counterarguments and challenges during real-time discussions.
5. Apply cultural awareness to adapt persuasive techniques suitable to Spanish-speaking contexts.
6. Utilize expanded vocabulary and idiomatic expressions related to persuasion, argumentation, and negotiation.
7. Critically analyze persuasive texts (oral and written) and reflect on rhetorical strategies used by speakers or writers.

Tangible Outcomes

Tangible outcomes include Rassias Center Certificate of Completion for students who attend the full program of language instruction. The Rassias Center’s expectation is that students will attend class and actively participate. In addition, students will role play and interview guest speakers and classmates.

Hands-on Activities

Learning Experiences:

• Rassias Method Drills: Engaging, timed exercises focusing on pronunciation, intonation, and rapid response to reinforce persuasive language structures.
• Role Plays: Simulated real-life scenarios such as debates, business negotiations, political campaigns, and community organizing where students practice persuasive dialogue.
• Group Discussions and Debates: Facilitated discussions on current and culturally relevant topics, allowing students to practice constructing and defending viewpoints.
• Interactive Storytelling: Collaborative exercises where students create and present persuasive narratives to influence an audience.
• Listening and Analysis: Exposure to authentic Spanish media (e.g., speeches, advertisements, debates) with guided discussion and critique of persuasive strategies.
• Peer Feedback and Self-Reflection: Structured feedback sessions focused on delivering and receiving constructive criticism to improve persuasive communication.
• Cultural Workshops: Exploration of cultural conventions in persuasion and influence across various Spanish-speaking countries.

*Prior completion of an introductory Spanish course is strongly recommended.



Information is subject to change as instructors finalize course content and syllabi.