why learn french?
French continues to be a language of growing importance in the United States and worldwide. French has always been the principle donor of foreign words into English. Today, French is an essential language in our global economy and being able to speak French is an asset in the world of the arts, business, technology, hospitality, medicine and diplomacy. By studying French, you will enhance your English vocabulary skills and will be able to decode many unfamiliar English words. This becomes a huge confidence builder when you take the S.A.T. and ACT. We successfully prepare students for both the DELF and DALF exams.
What some of our students have to say:
"Learning French with Beth was an unforgettable experience because she infused each lesson with her boundless enthusiasm and knowledge of all things French. She conveyed her joie de vivre and her great love of Francophone culture. This helped me excel on the French SATII, which led to my acceptance to Yale."
Kate, Spence alumna and Yale student
Why learn italian?
Italian is the language of the arts, business, culture architecture, fashion, cuisine, opera and much more! Six of the biggest global countries have their headquarters in Italy, and Italy is the word’s fifth largest industrial producer of goods. An estimated 7,500 American companies do business with Italy and more than 1,000 U.S. firms have offices in Italy. It is essential to be able to communicate effectively in Italian. If you are one of the 17 million Americans who can claim Italian ancestry, learning Italian is a wonderfulway to honor your heritage.
WHAT SOME OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY:
Ms. Carol Goodman, New York Times best-selling author:
“Working with Beth Lurie gave me the confidence to plan a trip to Italy to research my next novel. The language skills I acquired with her enabled me not only to travel with ease but also to transcend the role of tourist and truly experience the “dolce vita” in Italy. She’s been an ongoing and invaluable resource to my writing.”
Why learn spanish?
Spanish is one of the most practical options for those interested in learning a second language. It is the second most spoken language in the United States, and 1 of the 3 most commonly spoken languages globally. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 12 percent of U.S. residents speak Spanish at home. Spanish is one of the easiest foreign languages to learn. Much of its vocabulary is similar to English, and written Spanish is almost completely phonetic. Spanish is a language of growing importance worldwide. Americans are studying Spanish in record numbers, as a rising number of jobs require Spanish. Spanish too is becoming of greater importance in Europe, where it is often the foreign language of choice after English. It is an official language on four continents. Because much of English is Latin based, learning Spanish will give you a better understanding of English . Whether you are traveling to Mexico, Central or South America, having a good command of Spanish will open doors to the business or pleasure traveler. Spanish is close to Latin, the common ancestor of all romance languages. Spanish developed from Latin and an estimated 60% of the English vocabulary also comes from Latin.
What some of our students have to say...
Beth's strong academic background and lifelong love of the French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese languages, coupled with a natural instinct for teaching, places her at the top of her profession. I unhesitatingly give her my highest personal recommendation.
Mr. George Litton, chairman, Verdi Square Festival of the Arts
