Language Academy   

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 interested in practicing conversational French in a casual, meet-up style conversation group? This online class will allow you to get to know other people while practicing French at the same time. You will build your vocabulary in French by talking about common interests, travel, food, and culture. You will learn common phrases and idiomatic expressions that allow you to express your feelings and thoughts. In the online format, we will be able to separate into smaller groups, then come together as a larger group.  

Learning Objectives

• improve French conversational skills and fluency Build vocabulary
• learn practical expressions and phrases
• meet new people interested in French culture

Recommended Textbook

None

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Students who wish to improve basic conversational skills and fluency in French
• Anyone who would like to learn colloquial expressions and idiomatic phrases used by native speakers
• People who are planning to visit a French-speaking country in the future
• Those who would like to practice casual French conversation in a friendly learning environment
   

Class Overview

Improve your French conversation skills and fluency in this fun and interactive class. This advanced conversation class will give you the opportunity to learn new vocabulary, as well as native-like phrases, practical expressions, and idioms.

Gain experience having conversations and discussions in a variety of engaging contexts. Immerse yourself in the language and culture by exploring and talking about a variety of media including current events, news, articles, TV shows, films, video clips, and podcasts. Develop more confidence, experience and skills with the French language, in this fun conversation-based class. 

Learning Objective

• Improve your French conversational skills using more advanced grammar, vocabulary, expressions and native-like phrases
• Gain new practical and advanced vocabulary and expressions
• Acquire native-like phrases and idioms
• Gain a better understanding of French-speaking cultures
• Review essential and important grammar for conversation

Recommended Textbook

None.

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Preferred experience: 5 quarters (100 hours) of French studies or equivalent.

• French language learners who wish to advance their French conversational skills and fluency in a very interactive and fun learning environment.

Class Overview

Are you interested in the German speaking world? Enjoy this interactive class guaranteed to enhance your knowledge of the German language and culture, as well as travel experiences. 

The focus of this class is on acquiring basic German language skills in combination with essential information about the culture and everyday life. Learn about typical travel situations like meeting people, shopping, reserving a hotel room, eating out, and traveling around, etc. You will have plenty of opportunities to practice speaking and understanding German as well as to inquire about the aspects that matter to you. Depending on your interests, the class will focus on specific regions of the German-speaking world. 

Learn how to communicate at an elementary level in German, and enjoy a cultural experience, whether you are planning to travel or not. 

Learning Objectives

• Simple German grammar to communicate at an elementary level
• Vocabulary to enable basic conversations in everyday situations
• The basics of German pronunciation to insure being understood 
• Familiarity with culture and everyday life in German-speaking countries
• Understanding of German-speaking regions that you are interested in 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Beginners of German 
• Anyone who is planning on traveling to a German-speaking country
• Everybody who is interested in the German-speaking countries and cultures
• People who are interested in learning a second language 
• No experience needed!

Class Overview

Gain confidence speaking Italian! Develop skills using common Italian phrases, expressions, and language with correct grammar and syntax in this beginning conversation class. Each week, explore practical topics in conversation with your classmates. Typical topics include traveling, shopping, telling time, making reservations, finding your way around, managing money and dealing with unexpected situations. In the context of these practical conversations, we'll also review key grammar concepts and vocabulary.

Learning Objectives

• improved your ability to use basic grammar and vocabulary (present and simple past tenses, reflexive verbs, basic irregular verbs, articles, prepositional and adverbial phrases, and numbers to 10,000)
• learn 500+ new words
• improve your conversational comprehension
• increased your confidence in conversation when sharing information, clarifying and explaining, asking for help, offering a service, and more

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisite: Italian Level 2 or 3, or the equivalent (check with the instructor if you’re not sure)

• Italian language students interested in improving their conversation and comprehension skills
• Students planning on travelling to Italy in the near future
• Language students looking for a language-intense learning environment

Class Overview

Enjoy a review of the vocabulary, expressions, and grammar concepts introduced in Italian classes levels one through three as you continue to improve your language skills. Gain more confidence, and have a conversation as you participate in a systematic review of grammar. 

In this class, you can focus on your speaking ability and pronunciation, listening comprehension, as well as writing and reading skills. Review basic Italian grammar, vocabulary and phrases, and idiomatic expressions. Enjoy exploring traditional and modern Italian culture in this interactive learning environment.

If you have completed three quarters (60 hours) of Italian study or equivalent, this class is a good match for you. Enjoy a review of everything that you’ve learned so far in Italian, to prepare you to smoothly move on to Level 4 or above in the future. 

Learning Objectives

• Read, write, and speak in more complex Italian
• Use practical vocabulary and expressions in a variety of familiar topics
• Converse in Italian with more confidence, including with native speakers
• Understand more about traditional and modern Italian culture

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisites: completion of three quarters (60 hours) or four quarters (80 hours) of Italian study or equivalent

• Students who wish to continue learning Italian and review what they have learned
• Individuals who studied basic Italian on their own and who need to review the essential Italian language skills in a welcoming interactive learning environment
• Italian language students who would like to gain confidence speaking Italian

Textbook Needed

Avanti Aski- Musumeci, Second Edition; ISBN 978-0-07-338624-9. Check online for the best prices or order through your favorite bookstore.

Class Overview

Japanese language students, are you interested in improving your ability to have conversations in Japanese? This beginning class will give you the opportunity to learn vocabulary within a cultural context as well as practice speaking with others who are at a similar skill level. We will learn to introduce ourselves, talk about familiar topics, discuss our daily routines, and more. Build vocabulary that is practical for common conversations. Improve your speaking and listening skills and your ability to have simple short conversations on familiar topics. In this class, you will learn some native-like expressions and practice using Japanese Hiragana / Katakana characters. You will also have the opportunity to explore modern and traditional Japanese culture. No textbook is required.

Learning Outcomes

• improve essential speaking and listening skills for simple conversations
• build practical everyday vocabulary
• use native-like expressions
• hold simple and short conversations on familiar topics
• enhance understanding of traditional and modern Japanese culture

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisite: 2 quarters (40 hours) of Japanese study or the equivalent

• Japanese language students who want to improve basic conversational skills
• Students of Japanese language who want to practice conversation
• People studying Japanese who would like to speak more like a native speaker

Class Overview

Continue learning Korean language in this interactive class! Develop basic oral and written communication skills while exploring traditional and modern Korean culture. You will get acquainted with the essentials of Korean grammar and learn to read and write the Korean alphabet, Hangul. Learn everyday vocabulary and expressions that will be useful in your learning and help you feel more natural using the language. Practice essential speaking and listening skills in simple conversations. Enjoy the company of other Korean language students who are at a similar level in their learning as you. 

Learning Objectives

• speak and understand simple conversations
• understand and use basic grammar
• write/read Hangul (Korean alphabet)
• be familiar with everyday vocabulary and expressions
• have more understanding about traditional and modern Korean culture

Recommended Textbook

Sogang Korean 1A: Student’s Book (Korean) 2nd Edition. ISBN-13: 978-8-97699-5728

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisite: 1 quarter (20 hours) of Korean study or equivalent

• Anyone who is interested in Korean language and culture and meets the prerequisite
• Travelers, business people, friends and family of Korean speakers, and anyone else wanting to learn Korean
• People would like to know develop basic conversational skills as well as reading/writing skills

Class Overview

Continue learning everyday practical vocabulary and expressions in this very interactive class! Improve your verbal and written communication skills while exploring traditional and modern Korean culture. You will get acquainted with the essentials of Korean grammar and learn to read and write the Korean alphabet, Hangul. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• have conversations on familiar topics with improved speaking and listening skills
• know more basic grammar
• write and read Hangul (Korean alphabet)
• use more everyday vocabulary and expressions
• understand traditional and modern Korean culture

Recommended Textbook

Sogang Korean 1A: Student’s Book (Korean) 2nd Edition. ISBN-13: 978-8-97699-5728

Who Might Enjoy This Class

Prerequisite: 2 quarters (40 hours) of Korean study or equivalent.

• Korean language students who have taken two quarters (40 hours) of a Korean class or equivalent
• Travelers, business people or anyone who is interested in Korean culture
• Those who would like to improve basic conversational skills as well as reading/writing skills

Class Overview

Continue learning the Korean language! Improve your verbal and written communication skills while exploring traditional and modern Korean culture.

Gain more everyday practical vocabulary and expressions in this very interactive class. Advance your understanding of Korean grammar essentials, and learn to read and write the Korean alphabet, Hangul. 

Learning Objectives

• Be able to have conversations on familiar topics with improved speaking and listening skills
• Understand and be able to use more grammar correctly
• Write and read Hangul (Korean alphabet)
• Use more everyday vocabulary and expressions
• Better understand traditional and modern Korean culture 

Recommended Textbook 

Sogang Korean 1A: Student’s Book (Korean) 2nd Edition. ISBN-13: 978-8-97699-5728.

Check online for the best prices or order through your favorite bookstore.  

Who Might Enjoy This Class? 

Prerequisite: 3 quarters (60 hours) of Korean study or equivalent.

• Korean language students who would like to continue learning in a supportive environment
• Travelers, business people, or anyone who is interested in Korean culture
• Anyone who meets the prerequisite and would like to improve basic conversational skills as well as reading and writing in Korean.

Class Overview

Have you ever wondered what background you need to be a professional interpreter, how an interpreter prepares for an assignment, or what happens when an interpreter doesn't know a word? Meet one of the most sought-after interpreters in WA and get a sneak peek of the profession! This five-week class is designed for anyone who is interested in becoming a professional interpreter. Learn what professional interpreters do, what the most common fields of interpreting are, and what functions professional interpreters fulfill. Each session covers different topics, and different types of interpreting, that will give you a complete view of the profession. Learn effective and strategic ways of studying another language in order to become a professional interpreter. No previous knowledge or experience of interpreting is required. Bilingual skills are not required for this workshop. For students 16 years old or older. Students who are 16 or 17 years old must submit the required Underage Student Release Form when registering. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will obtain:

• a complete view of the interpreting profession
• the knowledge of the requirements for professional interpreters
• an understanding of various types of interpreting that professionals do
• the knowledge of various resources to polish off their second language skills

Who Should Take This Class?

• Anyone who is interested in becoming a professional interpreter and wants to learn more about the interpreting profession.
• For students 16 years old or older. Students who are 16 or 17 years old must submit the required Underage Student Release Form when registering. 

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

Recommended Textbook

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

Are you interested in expanding your knowledge of Spanish into the realm of basic conversation? This beginning-level conversation class will give you the opportunity to improve your basic Spanish skills! Learn practical vocabulary in a culturally relevant context, as well as practice speaking with classmates who are at a similar skill level. Learn to introduce yourself, talk about the weather, discuss daily routines, and more. Have fun and gain confidence building your Spanish language skills. No textbook required.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the class you will have:

• learn how to utilize the Spanish vocabulary you may know into informal conversations
• improve your Spanish vocabulary
• practice and hone your pronunciation
• gain confidence in speaking with others in a supportive environment

Who Should Take This Class?

Prerequisite: Two quarters (40 hours) of Spanish studies or equivalent.

• Individuals with a beginner-level understanding of Spanish who would like to expand their conversational skills and meet the prerequisite above.

Class Overview

Are you planning to travel to a Spanish-speaking country in the near future? If so, join us for this introductory class, which covers pronunciation, conversation and helpful expressions to use while traveling. We'll also listen to Latin American music and discuss different cultures. Students will learn basic greetings, asking for directions and ordering food.

Learning Objectives

Learn common phrases that are useful while traveling
Practice pronunciation
Learn basic grammar
Practice speaking in a public setting under the guidance of the instructor

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Students with little to no knowledge of Spanish
Those interested in traveling to a Spanish-speaking country

Class Overview

Advance your real-life conversational Spanish skills using today’s news as your textbook! Intermediate-advanced level Spanish speakers, work on building vocabulary, understanding, and comprehension of both written and spoken language, as well as improving listening and speaking skills. While increasing vocabulary and fluency, review intermediate-advanced grammar concepts. Build real-life communication skills using current news and topics from newspapers, magazines, books, TV/radio shows, etc. This practice will help you communicate with native speakers more smoothly and naturally, in addition to learning about news and culture. Increase your Spanish conversational expressions and fluency as well as improve pronunciation Increase your confidence and conversational skills in exchanging information and ideas on a wide range of real-life stories and news. Develop more advanced and complex sentence structures. In addition to learning to understand the more formal language used in printed materials, enjoy learning common phrases, expressions, and Idioms used by native speakers in daily life. Join this class to increase your Spanish language ability, cultural understanding, and connection to other Spanish students. 

Learning Objectives

• Improve real-life communication skills using current news and topics from newspapers, magazines, books, TV/radio shows, etc.
• Increase your Spanish conversational expressions and fluency as well as improve pronunciation
• Develop more advanced and complex sentence structure
• Be able to use native-like phrases, expressions and Idioms used by native speakers in daily life

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisite: minimum of 4 quarters of Spanish or equivalent.

This class is for intermediate-advanced Spanish language students who want to improve their conversational skills.
 

Are you bilingual and interested in learning about our Translation and Intepretation classes and certificate program? Join this FREE Info Session to learn what to expect in these classes, and bring any questions you might have.

This Info Session is designed for bilinguals (or multilinguals), and anyone who is currently learning another language and interested in becoming and translator and/or interpreter. No prior knowledge of translation and interpretation is required.

Hosted online on Zoom, this Info Session requires that you have internet connection and access to a personal device with webcam and microphone in order to participate. Please register in advance. We look forward to seeing you!
 

Class Overview

What do translation reviewers do to deliver a desired level of quality in translation services? In this class, explore the fasincating translation review process.

Learn about the key steps in translation review workflow, including editing, proofreading and localization. Explore localization and how to translate something to a particular country or region. Discover the technologies used in the translation industry and how these technologies are used most efficiently.

Find out about the differences between reviewing, editing and proofreading and practice using your language skills to edit translations. 

This class is designed for people who would like to work as a translator, localizer or reviewer in the near future and/or who would like to obtain up-to-date hands-on knowledge and skills in these fields. Bilingual skills and prior work as a translator are recommended, but not required. Any two language pairs are welcome.

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

Learning Objectives

• understand the difference between reviewing, editing and proofreading and learn 
• perform the tasks of a reviewer
• apply your linguistic skills to editing and proofreading translations
• evaluate translations and provide feedback
• use Computer Assisted Translation tools for reviewers
• be familiar with Language Quality Services (LQS) and translation style guides

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisites: Bilingual skills and prior work as a translator are recommended, but not required.

• Bilingual individuals who are interested in translation and linguistics
• Language specialists who are interested in working as translation reviewers
• Anyone interested in foreign languages and/or the translation process
• Translators interested in honing your review skills
• Strong interest in languages and/or translation process is a plus
• No prior knowledge and experience of translation or localization is required