We
believe that language is communication. The key
to picking up a language, therefore, is conversation.
We have all observed how painless it is for young
children to learn. They listen to and mimic those
around them, receiving individual attention when
parents or teachers correct them. That is why
we specialize in small classes and why we put
so much emphasis on individual instruction. By
recreating the conditions in which humans learn
language, we are able to teach efficiently and
effectively.
Language, as it is taught in
high schools and universities, is very difficult
to learn. With twenty-five or more students in
a class, the student's surest method to obtain
a satisfactory grade is rote memorization. Using
this method, we may retain enough vocabulary but
any hope of a real conversation is dim at best.
Most people internalize their
failure to acquire another language, telling themselves
that learning a foreign language is a talent they
do not have. However, learning a new language
is not as difficult as many perceive. It takes
patience and practice, but it does not have to
be unpleasant. Believe it or not, with the right
teacher, it can be downright enjoyable!
Other methods to learn a language,
such as the popular Rosetta Stone CDs, can help
with vocabulary and basic phrases. As anyone who
has used language CDs can tell you, one encounters
a wall early on. Repeating words and phrases does
not lead one to fluency. The experience of immediate
feedback on speech, context, and pronunciation
is invaluable. There is no replacement for one-on-one
conversations with a native speaker.
Another reason we keep classes
at the Academy of Foreign Languages small is that
we know everyone learns differently. That is why
both the school Director, Daiana Baldanzi, and
the language teacher will sit down with you for
a thorough intake interview. The interview is
designed to identify your goals, your proficiency
level, your background, and your learning style.
While some people learn visually, others get more
from listening and repeating. There are students
who need a quiet environment to concentrate and
others who need to distract themselves by doodling
or moving. Additionally, students may have different
goals. A high school student seeking to gain proficiency
requires a different curriculum than a person
going to meet their partner’s family in
the old country. A business owner who needs to
write emails to a supplier in Japan will want
more emphasis on grammar than the leisure traveler
planning a month-long backpacking trip. Our instruction
is tailored to meet the needs of each student.
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