Arlington Community Education

Level 1 Signing is a useful skill that can open up a new world of relationships and understanding. This course is for those who have no experience with ASL or who need a refresher on the basics. Learn the ASL manual alphabet, numbers, greetings, feelings, expressions, family, time, clothes, body parts and other basic conversational tools. Level 2 Further explore the beauty of this visual language and learn about Deaf Culture. For those who have completed ASL: Level 1, or who have comparable experience, learn signs relating to verbs and basic conversational style. We will also focus on the basic formation of grammatically correct sentence structure for ASL. Level 3 This course is designed to continue the development of American Sign Language expressive and receptive skills, grammar, vocabulary, cultural awareness, and related terminology.

Level 1 Originating in the 6th century, the Arabic language has become one of the most widely spoken and recognizable languages in the world today. Taught by a native speaker, this beginning level class introduces the 28 Arabic letters and focuses on basic reading and writing skills through an interactive and practical instructional method. Some basic everyday vocabulary and conversations such as greetings and courtesy expressions are also part of the course. Level 2 For those who have some basic knowledge of Arabic (are able to read and write simple words, as well as being familiar with some vocabulary). Use your Arabic skills to read short paragraphs while learning some grammatical structures. Conversational themes will include nationalities, family members, describing neighborhoods and residences, food and drink, clothing and colors, weather and more. Level 3 Expand your Arabic proficiency. Taught by a native speaker, this course will put your conjugation and other grammar skills to use as we learn to write more elaborate paragraphs. We will continue to expand our vocabulary and skills.

Considered one of the major varieties of Arabic, Levantine Arabic refers to the spoken variety of Arabic among the Eastern Mediterranean Coast which includes Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine. More informal than Modern Standard Arabic, this dialect is used in the home, among friends, and has become the chosen language for many television series. Thus it is the version of spoken Arabic that is understood by almost all Arabs. This beginner class will teach basic conversation skills including how to introduce yourself. For those who know the Arabic alphabets.

Lay the foundation to become a confident French speaker. Learn pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and verbs with a focus on describing the world around you. Beginners or anyone wishing to review the fundamentals should take Level 1, where we will learn basic vocabulary and present tense verbs, emphasizing useful everyday words and phrases. Level 2 will focus on improving conversational precision by developing vocabulary and learning present and immediate future tenses. We will also learn irregular verbs, possessive and demonstrative adjectives, comparatives and superlatives, and imperatives. Level 3 is for those looking to speak more efficiently who feel comfortable operating in an immersion (French-only) context. This advanced level class will work on past and present tense, while also reinforcing the use of object pronouns. Building upon the skills already acquired, students in Level 4 will learn the future tense, irregular adjectives, conditional expressions, ordinal numbers, reflexive verbs and pronouns, the imperative form, and expressions of reciprocal action. Having completed Level 4, students can expect to be able to discuss numerous topics with relative sophistication as well as to read and write multi-paragraph texts. Please note: Levels 1–3 requires the additional purchase of a textbook, Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, Premium Second Edition by Heminway. The book is recommended, but not essential for Level 4.

Deepen your understanding and appreciation of the french language in this fun and interactive book club where we will discuss our thoughts and questions about Amelie Nothomb’s novel, Pétronille. In these weekly meetings we’ll review new grammar and vocabulary and discover the story of a thirty-year-old novelist named Amélie Nothomb and her self-destructive friendship with Pétronille Fanto, a writer in her early twenties, and the personal demons they hide from each other. In a virtual group setting, come enjoy this funny, moving, “exotic” novel about travel, France, Champagne, and friendship. As one reviewer wrote, “This is literary Thelma & Louise, with a little bit of French panache and a whole lot of champagne thrown into the mix.” Please note: Before the first class, please read up to page 25. The book is available on Amazon.

Level 1 Come learn beginning Spanish in a dynamic online classroom environment. Through fun activities you will learn and practice the alphabet, numbers, greetings, gender agreement, simple present tense of regular verbs, basic vocabulary and more. The course is geared towards those who’ve had very little to no experience with the Spanish language. Handouts will be provided for use during class time and for practicing at home during the week. Level 2 For those who have taken Spanish: Level 1 or equivalent, we will continue with more conversation and new grammar concepts to help you gain confidence in the language. Learn ordinal numbers, simple present tense of irregular verbs, how to express likes and dislikes and more. Improve pronunciation and increase your vocabulary as we explore topics such as traveling, ordering food, and giving directions. Handouts will be provided for use during class time and for practicing at home during the week. Level 3 Practice advanced grammar and verb conjugations in Level 3. We will study the present tense of reflexive verbs, how to express time, date and weather, and introduce the past preterite intense. In addition, we will study vocabulary relating to the house, the city, countryside and nature and places in the world as we work to further hone pronunciation. Students taking this level should already be familiarized with the present tense of regular and irregular verbs, as well as with the basic differences between the verbs “ser y estar”. Handouts will be provided for use during class time and for practicing at home during the week. Level 4 Will cover grammar topics including the imperfect and the preterit, use of pronouns, familiar commands, adverbs, as well as the use of se, por and para. We will expand on the use of both preterite and imperfect past tenses, as well as develop conversational skills. If time permits, we will also cover the formation of the imperative. In order to be comfortable in Level 4, students should have a clear idea of present and some past tense, and should be able to describe their surroundings in simple terms. Handouts will be provided for use during class time and for practicing at home during the week.

Spanish is the most widely-spoken Romance language in the world, with 410 million native speakers. This convivial class is taught by a native speaker and offers conversation and culture for those who want to refresh their Spanish, take it to the next level or who just miss speaking the language. We will improve your spoken Spanish and vocabulary by encouraging discussions on a variety of topics involving the culture of Spanish-speaking countries: art, literature, music, cuisine, travel and current events. To enjoy this class, students should have some experience with conversational Spanish.