Program: Language Learning

Italian, French—Romance languages which live today in the imagination, in use and in literature. Daily language classes are taught by charismatic, young professional language instructors all of whom are native speakers. The lessons emphasize conversational skills, and quickly augment the language learning which occurs quickly in a homestay situation.

Those who have previously found "studying" a language to be discouraging find that learning one by living it—acquiring it experientially—is painless. As Mark Twain, returning from Europe, noted, even the little children abroad speak the foreign language! Within a few weeks Sojourners are speaking in the language of their chosen country.

Language classes are not merely small but intimate. The average class size will be 3 or 4 students, with never more than 6 in a class. Supplementary individual tutorials are available for those who may need them.

Classes of varying levels assure that those who may move along more rapidly in language acquisition can move ahead. Those who come with some knowledge are immediately placed appropriately.

"Almost always when non-English speaking Italians discover your Italian is not fluent, they (unlike Parisians) exhibit no contempt and happily hear you out as you mangle their beautiful language"

Barbara Grizzuti Harrison

"Paris was wonderful. In Paris even the little children speak French."

Mark Twain

"Actually, in Paris even the little learning disabled, dyslexic, ADD, ADHD children and those with 'executive functioning' challenges speak French!"

David Denman, Director

"You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once."

Czech proverb

"A natural language is the archive where the experiences, knowledge and beliefs of a community are stored."

Fernando Lázaro Carreter

Journaling | Language Learning | Social Service