Is “learn something new” on your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2014? Learn Language Hoboken can help you fulfill that goal by turning you into a master of languages.
I’ve always tossed around the idea of learning French, but was never fully sold on memorizing words and concepts in the isolation of my home through Rosetta Stone or similar pricey products. But Learn Language Hoboken’s classrooms become mini-communities where students form friendships with each other and even occasionally bring in goodies like pizza and wine to share as they tackle new lessons. It is more than a weekly class; it is an experience that will leave you with a talent that you can use for a lifetime. Owner Dana Marchionne says she’s amazed at how much students can progress in such a short period of time and even some of her oldest students excel just as quickly as the 20-30 year-old students.
“In our adult classes, it's really cool to see the friendships people make and that they really look forward to coming to class each week,” she says.
Learn Language Hoboken currently offers 10-week courses in Italian, Spanish, French and Mandarin for adults, and two sections of after school programs for children ages 3-5 and 6-9. Other options include a Mommy and Me morning class for kids ages 1-3 years old, and customized private lessons to suit busy schedules or specific language goals.
“Everyone makes time for themselves whether it's the gym or spending time with friends, but learning a language should be part of those routines; it's really aiding the health of the brain and will keep you on your toes as you age, and not only that, it's fun and it's a great accomplishment to say that you speak a second language,” Marchionne says. “It may be a bit of a challenge, but it's a good, fun challenge.”
Once you impress family, friends and even strangers with your knowledge of four different languages, try your hand at Italian cooking classes, also offered at Learn Language Hoboken. Chef and instructor Marla Mendelsohn highlights one region of Italy per month, and each two-hour, hands-on cooking class teaches you how to create a specialty dish of that area. After cooking, you sit down for a three-course dinner to taste all the dishes of the night’s class with wine pairings, and get a mini Italian lesson on ordering from an Italian menu.
Learn more at learnlanguagehoboken.com
