Pitt French professor talks benefits of foreign languages

For those who think it’s never too late to learn a new language, just ask Pitt French professor Brett Wells what his undergraduate degree is in.

To the surprise of his students, Wells — the Coordinator of the French Language Program and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in French — studied music theory at Drake University. To fulfill his major’s requirements, Wells had to take an “operatic language,” and ended up taking so many French courses that it stuck with him.

Several years later, he earned his Masters and PhD in French at Stanford University. The Pitt News sat down with Wells to talk French, the fruits of mutual respect with students and why taking a foreign language class is important.

The Pitt News: A lot of things that students say about you is that you really care about them, and it’s more about French and less about grades.

Professor Wells: I hope so. I mean, if I could do away with grades, I’d do away with grades. I want them to come to class and I want them to learn and have fun. I really wish I could do away with grades (laughs). I just had a French club group — we met once a week. These are just students that want more French. So once a week we’d meet just for fun. They did homework, they did other reading – there’s no grade, there’s no credit. It’s fun, so I bring snacks and stuff (laughs). I mean I want to have fun too.

TPN: That’s something I’ve always noticed, is that mutual respect in classrooms usually brings that result.

PW: I run my class more like an emcee. In French, they call it ‘an animator.’ I taught a business French class – I had students in it that had much more content and expertise than I do. I’m giving them the French, and they know all the business. It’s like a seminar — we work together. I learn as much as they do. It’s all collaborative — that’s the optimum, I think. They gave me homework.

TPN: Is that why you think students react so well to your teaching style?

PW: I hope so — I hope that’s part of what they like. I am very passionate about teaching language — I love it, and I want them to love it, too, and enjoy class. I do have my style, but I do try to adjust to the different learning styles of the class. For example, participation in my class doesn’t just mean ‘participate in class’ – there are ways to have excellent participation and not speak in front of the entire class. Because some people aren’t comfortable, but they can be super participatory in either what they do outside of class or in small groups. Most of my students end up with A’s in participation just because they all participate differently, but in the same amount.

TPN: Why should someone take a class in the French Department, even if it’s not their area of interest at all? What can they gain?

PW: One thing I’m trying to stress to students that may be a little hesitant — besides I think that they’ll come to class and have a good time — is that learning another language makes you smarter. Even if you go on and you don’t use it, it’ll develop different ways of thinking and it’ll hone cognitive skills. It’s mostly about helping people think in different ways.

TPN: Aside from the course knowledge, what do you hope students leave your classes with?

PW: Just a passion for learning anything and everything. And to see language learning as a gateway to learning to think in different ways, and wanting to learn more, and to push them to the point where they don’t need a teacher anymore. I’m trying to do that the best I can – and I’m constantly working at it. I have a lot of failures, things that don’t work. I’ll go into class sometimes and say ‘I’m sorry guys, this lesson was a complete bust, we’re going to redo it tomorrow,’ and they’re really understanding about it. I think the students at Pitt are the best — the absolute best. My students are fantastic. I’ve taught at a number of schools, and this is the absolute best, bar none.