Language Academy   

Class Overview

Continue building upon the skills that you learned in our Level 1 class. During this intermediate class, expand your American Sign Language vocabulary and cultural skills in order to communicate more effectively. 

Through instruction and practice, increase your visual awareness and comprehension skills. Improve your understanding of basic grammatical principles and put them to work by practicing with fellow students. Learn more about the history of the deaf community and its language. 

Learning Objectives

• common vocabulary on several themes
• incorporating numbers with signs expressing time, age, money and pronouns
• enhanced use of non-manual signals and directional verbs
• identify locations, give directions and discuss transportation
• basic use of classifiers, incorporating the technique into basic storytelling
• more cultural information such as Deaf language, humor, philosophy and art

Recommended/Suggested Textbook: 

Master ASL - Level One (with DVD) by Jason E. Zinza, ASIN: BOON4F390Q

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Students who have previously completed our Level 1 class
• Anyone with basic ASL skills, including fingerspelling and basic signs

Class Overview

Practice American Sign Language and improve your skills. During this intermediate class, expand your American Sign Language vocabulary and cultural skills in order to communicate more effectively. 

Continue building upon the American Sign Language skills that you learned in our Level 2 course (or comparable level). Improve your understanding of narrative structure and movement agreement, including positions and actions. Explore role shift variations and types of classifiers in themes like incidents with the use of vehicles, dialogues about money and transactions, and explaining game rules.

Enjoy being a part of a community of learners while improving your ASL communication skills!

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, learners should be able to understand, identify, and express:

• targeted, context-specific commands, questions, and statements in American Sign Language
• a broader base of ASL vocabulary including daily activities, physical and personality descriptions, time, age, number signs and ASL idioms
• appropriate use of ASL grammar including classifiers and spatial organization
• general historical, etymological, linguistic and cultural aspects of ASL and American Deaf community

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Students who have previously completed our Level 2 class
• Anyone with intermediate American Sign Language skills, including comfort with fingerspelling and basic signs

Class Overview

Learning English? Improve your English language skills using today’s news as your textbook! 

Intermediate-level English students, this class is for you. Work on building vocabulary, understanding, and comprehension of English, in a practical and fascinating way. Practice speaking, reading, and listening during discussions with other language learners. 

In this class, you can learn grammar naturally by exploring topics in the news each week, chosen by students. You can take this class more than once -- since the news is always changing, you can continue to learn English, along with US culture and news, in this format. Materials for this class will be provided. 

If the class is interested, we can take field trips to local destinations to enhance learning and fun. 

Learning Objectives

• Gain confidence in your ability to clearly discuss topics in English that are important to you 
• Improve listening and comprehension skills in English
• Gain a better understanding of local and national US news
• Be able to share news about your home country with the group

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone interested in improving their English speaking, reading, and listening skills
• English language learners who would like to be able to better understand and discuss current events in the United States (as well as news from their native countries)
• Students of the English language who would like to participate in guided conversations with other students

Prerequisite:

Intermediate English or above.

Class Overview

Are you an au pair wanting to improve your US English skills? Improve your language skills while getting to know other au pairs and building a sense of community among au pairs in the Seattle region.

This class is led by a trained English as a second language (ESL) instructor who will help you improve your speaking, listening, vocabulary, and grammar skills. Through group conversations, student-centered grammar practice, informal presentations, field trips, and lots of vocabulary and listening activities, you'll gain more fluency and confidence. Mistakes are encouraged!

Learn American slang and cultural traditions, as well as Seattle customs and lifestyle. Topics include Seattle neighborhoods, American culture, cheap travel, and events around the Seattle area. Enjoy educational, social, and cultural experiences with other au pairs who are living and working in the Seattle area. 

Learning Objectives

• Feel more confident in using and understanding U.S. English
• Practice conversation skills for both work and social situations in the U.S.
• Improve listening and comprehension skills.
• Learn grammar structures that improve communication with others in speaking and writing
• Use English to share ideas and collaborate with other au pairs in the Seattle area

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Au pairs, nannies, or anyone interested in improving their U.S. English language skills

Prerequisite

• Intermediate English or above; you should be able to participate in group conversations about everyday topics.

Class Overview

Are you ready to take your knowledge of French to the next level? In this intermediate class, build upon our Level 3 class, or your equivalent experience. It's time to focus on the 'little words' that make the difference between being able to speak French and sounding like a French person! Work on improving grammar and vocabulary while also engaging with newspaper articles, songs, and other elements of French culture. This class is ideal for those who already have a strong knowledge base in French who would like to increase conversational fluency. This class is ideal for those with an already strong knowledge of French who would like to increase conversational fluency.

Learning Objectives

• Expand your vocabulary
• Gain experience in speaking with other students
• Improve pronunciation skills
• Enhance your ability to express more complex ideas

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Students have previously completed Level 3
• Anyone with a strong knowledge of French

Class Overview

Continue learning Japanese in this interactive class! Improve your spoken and written communication skills while expanding your vocabulary and knowledge about Japanese culture. 

You will get acquainted with intermediate-level Japanese grammar and continue learning to read and write Hiragana and Katakana as well as learning Kanji. Enjoy learning more useful and practical expressions.

Learning Objectives

During/by the end of this workshop, you will:

• Use a greater range of practical Japanese vocabulary and expressions
• Listen, speak, read and write better in Japanese 
• Have conversations more confidently in a variety of topics 
• Use grammar with more skill and fluency
• Deepen your understanding of traditional and modern Japanese culture

Textbook Needed

Japanese For Busy People II, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 978-1568363868. 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisite: completion of five quarters (100hours) of Japanese study or equivalent

• Students learning Japanese who wish to advance their conversation skills and fluency in a very interactive and fun learning environment
• Anyone who has taken Japanese 1–5 (5 quarters = 100 hours) in the past and who wishes to continue learning Japanese
• Students of Japanese language who want to keep their skills active and improving, who with an eye toward someday speaking Japanese fluently

Class Overview

Would you like to learn Spanish but don't know where to begin? This class is for you! Build everyday vocabulary and expressions in this highly interactive class.

Develop basic conversational skills while exploring Spanish-speaking cultures. Get acquainted with the essentials of Spanish grammar and develop basic listening, speaking and reading skills. Interact with the instructor and fellow students in short and simple conversations. Gain a strong foundation in the Spanish language that you can build upon as you gain proficiency.

Beginners welcome!

Learning Objectives

• say everyday expressions and phrases on familiar topics
• have simple conversations
• be able to listen, speak and read in Spanish
• understand basic grammar
• have a deeper understanding of Spanish-speaking culture

Textbook Needed

Please acquire this book, which will be used for levels 1-6: Como se Dice…?, 10th Edition. ISBN-13: 978-1111828585. Check online for the best prices or order through your favorite bookstore. 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone interested in learning Spanish language
• People who have never studied Spanish before or who have very limited experience
• Spanish language students who wish to review from the beginning to obtain their basic skills

Class Overview

¡Hablamos español! Continue to develop your Spanish language skills and improve your speaking, reading and listening.

Focus on speaking in a culturally relevant context with other students who are also learning Spanish at a similar level. Build vocabulary that reflects a wide variety of useful and practical situations such as describing people, making and receiving phone calls, planning weekend activities, and ordering meals. Practice speaking and writing sentences using the present tenses and the future with the verb "ir".

Have fun advancing your Spanish language skills! 

Learning Objectives

• use new vocabulary
• say common expressions and phrases on familiar topics
• express more detailed information on familiar topics
• listening and read with better comprehension
• use more grammar correctly

Textbook Needed 

Como se Dice…?, 10th Edition. ISBN-13: 978-1111828585. Search online for best prices or order through your favorite bookstore. 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisite: One quarter (20 hours) of Spanish study or equivalent.

• This course is for people who wish to improve their basic Spanish skills who have studied Spanish for one quarter or the equivalent.

Class Overview

¡Hablamos español! Continue to develop your Spanish language skills and improve your speaking, reading and listening.

Focus on speaking in a culturally relevant context with other students who are also learning Spanish at a similar level. Build vocabulary that reflects a wide variety of useful and practical situations such as describing people, making and receiving phone calls, planning weekend activities, and ordering meals. Practice speaking and writing sentences using the present tenses and the future with the verb "ir".

Have fun advancing your Spanish language skills! 

Learning Objectives

• use new vocabulary
• say common expressions and phrases on familiar topics
• express more detailed information on familiar topics
• listening and read with better comprehension
• use more grammar correctly

Textbook Needed 

Como se Dice…?, 10th Edition. ISBN-13: 978-1111828585. Search online for best prices or order through your favorite bookstore. 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisite: One quarter (20 hours) of Spanish study or equivalent.

• This course is for people who wish to improve their basic Spanish skills who have studied Spanish for one quarter or the equivalent.

Class Overview 

Spanish language students, continue learning Spanish in this fun and interactive class! Build practical everyday Spanish vocabulary and expressions while speaking, listening, reading and writing. In this class, you will increase your vocabulary and your confidence in speaking. Become familiar with more essential Spanish grammar, including subjunctive and future perfect. You will also have the opportunity to improve your listening skills and ability to understand others. Develop a more advanced understanding of the language, while exploring Spanish-speaking cultures. 

Learning Objectives

By successfully completing this course, you will have: 

• In this course, you will:
• build new vocabulary 
• learn idiomatic expressions and phrases for everyday life
• develop intermediate conversational skills 
• improve listening, speaking and reading skills
• become familiar with new grammar including subjunctive and future perfect
• explore Spanish-speaking cultures

Textbook Needed

Como se Dice…?, 10th Edition. ISBN-13: 978-1111828585. Search online for best prices or order through your favorite bookstore. 

Who Might Enjoy This Class? 

Prerequisites: Previous study of Spanish 5 quarters (100 hours) or equivalent.

• Spanish language students who wish to continue learning Spanish in an interactive and fun learning environment
• Those who enjoy improving their Spanish language and conversation skills, with an eye toward  speaking Spanish fluently someday

Class Overview

Do you have Scottish or Irish ancestry or an interest in Gaelic culture, history, and sites?

People around the world feel a connection to the lands of Scotland and Ireland. Many people can trace their ancestry back to Scotland and Ireland, but often the language and culture of those who emigrated have been left behind. The Gaels, the speakers of the Gaelic language, have a long and fascinating history. In this course, gain an understanding of this history and how it manifests itself in the art and mythology of the people. Explore who the Gaels are, the reasons why people left their homeland, and how this was expressed in their art and culture. Discover the relationship between language, culture, and identity for the Gaelic people. Learn about the history of Scotland and Ireland from the Roman period to the present. Gain a greater appreciation of the rich and lively Gaelic culture today.

Learning Objectives

• Define the linguistic and cultural group referred to as the Gaels
• Better understanding of the relationship between language, culture, and identity
• Understand the history of the Gaels and the influence of historical events in the art and mythology of the people.
• Understanding of the history of Scotland and Ireland from the Roman period to today
• Have familiarity with contemporary issues related to the language, culture, and identity of the Gaelic people and culture

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone interested in Scottish and Irish history
• People interested in history, art, and mythology surrounding the people who speak the Gaelic language
• People with Irish and Scottish ancestry wanting to better understand the Gaelic history

Class Overview

Interested in the field of translation and interpretation? Develop essential skills in terminology research and glossary building to provide accurate and consistent translation and interpreting services. 

Learn how to create a unique glossary of terms for every client, project, industry -- and for building your own professional tool kit. Discover the best way to manage glossaries you create, while exploring other options using translation memory (TM) tools to increase your workflow and efficiency in any language-service project. We will explore online references and tools to support your work.

By improving your research skills, you can also save time and energy, increasing your productivity and profitability as a language services provider. Don’t waste your precious hours wondering which term would go better in a specific context anymore!

This class is part of our Translation and Interpretation Certificate Program.

Learning Objectives

• Know the difference between a glossary and a termbase
• Understand the importance of terminology management
• Efficiently create and use a custom/unique terminology management system with Word and/or Excel
• Develop essential knowledge and skills of how to obtain specialized terminology lists and data online
• Use online references and tools (e.g. bookmarks, links, search engines, etc.)
• Advance research skills in highly specialized subjects such as legal, medical, international business, politics, etc.  

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisites: Basic computer skills and the ability to comprehend English and another spoken language at an educated near-native level. Successful completion of Translation and Interpretation: Basics is strongly recommended.

• People who are bilingual or multilingual who are pursuing work as a professional translator or interpreter
• Anyone who would like to start their own freelance business in the translation and interpretation industry 
• Future translators and interpreters who would like to increase the efficiency and productivity in this work
• No previous translation and/or interpretation experience is required 

Class Overview

This is the essential course for anyone interested in becoming a professional translator or interpreter, and for people who work with them. In this beginning class, you will learn the basics of the translation of interpretation field.

Explore topics such as the roles of translators and interpreters, the process of translation and interpretation, different types of translation and interpretation services, important terms and concepts, and more. Explore the differences between machine translation, machine assisted translation, and computer aided translation tools. Become familiar with the field and prepare yourself for further study in translation and interpretation. 

This class is a great place to start to explore or begin an exciting career! It is part of our Tranlsation and Interpretation Certificate Program.

This class can also be a great way to learn about the field from a related role, if you work with translators and interpreters. 

Learning Objectives

• Define the difference between translation and interpretation
• Describe general knowledge, skills and abilities of translators and interpreters
• Know different types of translation and interpreting services
• Understand the important roles of professional translators and interpreters
• Be familiar with local and national professional membership organizations
• Understand the process of translation and interpretation
• Know the concepts of consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpretation, and sight translation
• Analyze tone and register, and linguistic difficulties in written texts and spoken languages
   

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisites: Basic computer skills and the ability to comprehend English and another spoken language at an educated near-native level. 

• People who are bilingual or multilingual who would like to pursue a career as a professional translator or interpreter
• Anyone who understands another language at a very advanced level (near native to educated native level)
• People who work with professional translators and interpreters
• No previous translation and/or interpretation experience required

Class Overview

How often do you think about ethical considerations for translators and interpreters? In this class, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the most discussed and important concerns and code of ethics on a personal and industry level. 

Learn about best business practices in this industry suh as understanding ethical issues, confidentiality, conflicts of interest and how to resolve challenges. Find out about business practices such as developing and maintaining relationships in the industry, marketing, finding a job, and determining your fees.

This class is part of our Translation and Interpretation Certificate Program.

Become more familiar with the field and prepare yourself for the further study in translation and interpretation!

Learning Objectives

• Recognize and understand code of ethics provided by professional organizations in the industry
• Find the best possible solutions for ethical concerns and challenges on a personal level 
• Understand confidentiality, and conflicts of interest
• Know how to determine fees
• Be familiar with the best and common business practice as a professional translator and interpreter
• Know how to find and connect with translation/interpreting service agencies for future business opportunities
• Build strategies and plan to start and market yourself as a professional translator and interpreter
• Know how to maintain constructive business relationships with business partners in the translation and interpretation industry

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisites: Basic computer skills and the ability to comprehend English and another spoken language at an educated near-native level. Successful completion of Translation and Interpretation: Basic is strongly recommended. No previous translation and/or interpretation experience required.  

• People who are bilingual or multilingual who wish to become a professional translator or interpreter
• Anyone who would like to start their own freelance business in the translation and interpretation industry

Class Overview

Gain an introduction to the basic technology tools used in translation and interpretation and learn how to work with them. 

In this class, you will be able to use one of the most common computer assisted translation (CAT) tools, and experience how to process translation professionally and efficiently. You will also have the opportunity to explore technology tools used for interpreting services. 

Discover the effects and impacts that technologies like machine-translation software (not to be confused with computer-aided translation tools) have on translators and interpreters in the today’s industry. By familiarizing yourself with translation and interpretation specific technologies, you will be prepared for futher studies in translation and interpretation, as well as future work.

This class is part of our Translation and Interpretation Certificate Program.

No textbook is required.

Learning Objectives

• Have basic knowledge between machine translation (MT) and CAT, and understand the differences
• Know how to deal with different type of document formats
• Be familiar with different types of technologies for interpreters
• Know how to use one of the most common basic CAT tools
• Understand the process of translation and interpreting services with technologies
• Know how to utilize translation memory
• Analyze and explore the effect by MT  in today’s industry

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisites: Basic computer skills and the ability to comprehend English and another spoken language at an educated near-native level. Successful completion of Translation and Interpretation: Basics is strongly recommended. 

• People who are bilingual or multilingual who are interested in becoming a professional translator or interpreter
• Anyone who knows a second language at a very advanced level (nearly native to educated native level)
• People who work with professional translators and interpreters yet have never used the specific technology, and would like to become more familiar
• Students who have successfully completed our Translation and Interpretation: Basics class
• No previous translation and/or interpretation experience is required