LanguagePalaver: Speaking in Tongues

If you made a new year's resolution to learn a language, this is a good time to do it -- adult education classes often start new terms in January.  Here are some schools around the DC area that offer courses in foreign languages.  I've only listed ones I have experience with (except for the elusive Language One), though there are other universities and specific language schools in the area.   Let me know if you know of other good options here in DC, or would like to recommend schools in other cities.

Casa Italiana Language School
Casa Italiana's new term starts this Monday, January 8.  Although you can take Italian classes at general education schools (discussed below), there's a lot to be said for studying it here, where the entire focus of the organization is on Italian language and culture.  In addition to language courses, Casa Italiana offers courses in cooking, Italian ceramics, mosaics, and film.  (The cooking classes are taught by chefs of well-respected DC restaurants and usually are participatory and include a sit-down dinner at the end; they're also a good value compared with other cooking classes in the region.)

Casa Italiana school is located a short walk from the Judiciary Square metro station in what used to be DC's Italian neighborhood.  The school is associated with Holy Rosary Church, next door, which was established to serve Washington's Italian immigrant community, and still offers one Mass in Italian every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.  (The language school does not have a religious orientation.)

As noted, Casa Italiana's language classes start next week.  The website says the registration deadline was January 6, but that you should call the school office ((202) 638-1348) for late registration.

Alliance Française de Washington
Alliance Française, located on Wyoming Avenue in Kalorama, is in the middle of its winter term, which ends in early February.  The next term runs from February 26 to April 21, and the early registration (discounted) deadline is February 13.  See their calendar for additional dates.  Alliance Française requires a placement test (as long as you're not taking a beginning level), but they now offer it online.  They also offer private lessons, immersion days, cultural events, and cooking classes (at Brasserie Les Halles).  To be kept up to date on their events, you can sign up for their email newsletter without becoming a member.

Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies
Georgetown's online list of upcoming language courses seems skimpier than I remember it; if you're interested in taking a class there it might be wise to call or request information online.  It appears Georgetown's language classes don't start until late January at the earliest.

Graduate School USDA
Anyone outside the DC area might think it's weird to suggest taking a language class at the Department of Agriculture.  Anyone inside DC knows that the Ag Department is a big local source of continuing education classes, from languages to computers.  Classes in the evening/weekend program start the week of January 22, and registration is underway.  Browse through their entire online catalog or check out the foreign language classes here.

Language One
This townhouse on Calvert Street in Woodley Park intrigues me every time I go past, but I'm mystified by their website, which, as far as I can tell, doesn't say when classes are or how much any of their services cost.  Does anyone know anything about this place?  Front for the mob?  (All I know is they have a sign on their door right now saying they're closed for the holidays until January 8.)

Comments

[Jabber]

I took French for several rounds at the USDA and liked it very much. The first time, though, was a bit disconcerting, as when I walked in the door to the classroom I was greeted by my 7th/8th grade french teacher. She did not recognize me but when I reminded her of my name, she was amused. If she recalled my less-than-stellar performance in French grammar, she couldn't have been surprised to see me back studying again as an adult.

I also tried Spanish there but, as it turns out, my small brain can only accomodate one non-English language (and poorly at that, see above). Every time I tried to speak Spanish, French would pop out. It was most confusing to all.

[mbpalaver]

Sacre bleu!!!