Irina Dolgova

Senior Lector II, Slavic Languages and Literatures 

You are an expert in second language acquisition, a dedicated language program coordinator, and an exceptional teacher of the Russian language.

 Described by your colleagues as “warm, generous, loved, and respected,” you developed and taught many courses in the department, including Advanced Russian Conversation and a course on language teaching methodology for graduate students. As the language program coordinator, you helped develop Yale’s first study abroad summer session, which has since evolved into a dynamic program for over 20 languages, and you helped pioneer the “oral proficiency movement” in the department. Your Russian language textbook, Welcome Back, has been integral to second year language pedagogy at Yale and in similar programs around the world. In addition to serving on the Language Study Committee, you have been an exceptional advisor to first-years and sophomores in Pierson College. 

Your students describe you as one of the most remarkable teachers they have ever known – someone “accommodating and compassionate” who transformed their experience with language learning and academic life well beyond the classroom. One of your students shared that you “epitomized what a language teacher should be.” Another student said, “Every day we had with her in class felt like a new, joyful experience. The second she walked into the class, [everyone] would smile. There was a joy and freshness in life.” In retirement, we wish you more of that joy as you teach your grandchildren to speak Russian, explore nature, read, travel, and embark on new adventures.