Arlington Community Education

Please note: We currently do not have an instructor for this class. Please add yourself to the waiting list and we will notify you when we have an instructor and class details. Signing is a useful skill that can open up a new world of relationships and understanding. Learn the ASL manual alphabet, numbers, greetings, feelings, expressions, family, time, clothes, body parts, and other basic conversational tools. For those who have no experience with ASL or who need a refresher on the basics.

Originating in the 6th century, the Arabic language has become one of the most widely spoken and recognizable languages in the world today. This version of Arabic is the formal language of news, media, and books. These classes are taught by a native speaker. Level 1: 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. Please note: Correct dates for level 1 are 10 Tuesdays, 9/27-12/6. Level 2: For those who are able to read and write simple words. Use your Arabic skills to learn basic conversations that include nationalities, family members, describing neighborhoods and residences, food and drink, clothing and colors, weather, and more. Level 3: Expand your Arabic proficiency. This course will put your conjugation and other grammar skills to use as you learn to write more elaborate paragraphs. Please note: Correct dates for level 3 are 10 Tuesdays, 9/27-12/6.

Willkommen! While German has the reputation of being a difficult language this course is meant to show you otherwise. From simple greetings to real life situations like shopping or eating out you will learn useful phrases to get around and express yourself. Expect to listen to recordings, watch video clips, and engage in dialogues with your fellow students. Basic grammar will be introduced through reading and writing exercises.

Adults with no prior knowledge of the Chinese language will have the opportunity to work toward proficiency in both spoken and written Mandarin at a basic, everyday level. We will focus on building a working vocabulary and developing the conversational language skills of speaking and listening, while also becoming familiar with the tools to read and write the language. This course will be taught in a mix of English and Mandarin, utilizing the pinyin phonetic system as well as Chinese characters.

Spend Tuesday evenings with fellow French language lovers, conversing in a warm and inviting setting. This program is designed for students who are proficient in present, imparfait, and passé composé, and who are able to use object pronouns. The instructor will offer exercises designed to increase fluency.

Join fellow French language lovers, conversing in a warm and inviting setting. This program is designed for students who are proficient in present, imparfait, and passé composé, and who are able to use object pronouns. The instructor will offer exercises designed to maintain fluency.

Register here: English At Large Looking to practice your English speaking skills? Join a FREE summer conversation group with English At Large! Our groups are returning to in-person meetings at local public libraries and community centers. Conversation groups will help you build your skills and confidence speaking English in a group setting with the support of trained facilitators. Learn more about English At Large conversation groups. Who should register? Adult learners at an intermediate or higher level of English who want to practice speaking and listening. Learners able to attend weekly 90-minute group sessions for 10 weeks from June 13 - August 19. Learners who can attend an in-person group program in Massachusetts, USA. Learners who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Summer schedule ARLINGTON - Tuesday mornings, 10:30–12:00 - Arlington Community Center (formerly Arlington Senior Center), 27 Maple Street, Arlington

Are you looking to practice your English speaking skills? ACE has partnered with the volunteer organization, English At Large, to offer a free, weekly conversation group at the Arlington Community Center. This in-person class will help you build your skills and confidence speaking English in a group setting with the support of trained facilitators. For adult learners at an intermediate or higher level of English who want to practice speaking and listening. To register, visit EnglishatLarge.org

Lay the foundation to become a confident French speaker. Learn pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and verbs with a focus on describing the world around you. Level 1: Learn basic vocabulary, present tense verbs, and useful everyday words and phrases. Part of each class will be spent practicing with oral dialogues, to gain comfort in speaking. Level 2: Focus on improving conversational precision by developing vocabulary and learning present and immediate future tenses. Practice oral dialogue and learn common and irregular verbs, possessive and demonstrative adjectives, comparatives and superlatives, and imperatives.

Bonjour! Join this welcoming and lively French conversation class led by an enthusiastic native speaker. This is your chance to learn, practice, and improve your conversational French in a relaxed, fun yet structured setting. You will also have the chance to increase your knowledge of French history and culture and discuss topics that will surely raise passions. Isn’t this what French is all about? This intermediate course is for those who have taken French: Levels 1–3, and/or have strong skills in speaking and listening. We will review advanced grammar topics including object pronouns, compound tenses, and subjunctive, with assignments to practice your skills throughout the week. Note: Once the class reaches minimum enrollment, you will need to purchase a copy of the Grammaire Progressive du Francais Intermediaire (edition 4 by Maia Gregory).

Whether your goal is to speak to Israelis, read the Hebrew Bible in its original language, or follow along at Shabbat services, get a solid foundation in this unique language. Expect lively class discussions and optional weekly homework assignments. Level 1: Start at the beginning with the Alef Bet and Hebrew vowels and progress to simple conversation and reading short texts. Level 2: Discover the inner elegance of Hebrew grammar and become your own translator. After a quick review of Hebrew verbs in the past and future tenses, progress to more complex reading comprehension using examples drawn from modern life, the Bible, the Hebrew prayer book, and fairy tales. Please note: Once the class reaches minimum enrollment, this text will be required for class The First Hebrew Primer: The Adult Beginner's Path to Biblical Hebrew, Third Edition 3rd Edition (if you don't already have it).

Buongiorno! Are you ready to learn Italian in a fun and interesting way? Through conversation about everyday life, we will learn vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar as we explore Italian culture and la dolce vita. Gain a solid knowledge of the language of music and love. Level 1: Get introduced to basic grammar topics including pronunciation, personal pronouns, indefinite and definite articles, singular and plural forms of nouns and adjectives, gender, and number agreement. Learn to describe everyday activities using the present tense of regular and irregular verbs. Level 2: Work on improving spoken Italian, mastering reflexive verbs, past tense of regular and irregular verbs, and possessive adjectives. Level 3: Further hone oral comprehension and expression of topics including travel, health, and time. We will also focus on imperfect tense, distinctive pronouns, simple future tense, and double object pronouns. Level 4: Focus on complex reading selections, opportunities for vocabulary development, and creative use of the language. Develop more grammar skills using indefinite adjectives and pronouns, imperative form, conditional tenses, and relative pronouns.

Considered one of the major varieties of Arabic, “Levantine” 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. Level 2 and Level 3: Classes include more verb conjugation and conversational skills.

Practice Russian in a lively online group atmosphere. We will work on vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills, all while exploring traditional and modern Russian culture. Level 1: Become familiar with basic grammar such as grammatical gender, singular/plural noun endings, and introductory verb conjugation. You’ll be able to make simple sentences on basic everyday topics by the end of the class. No prior experience necessary. Level 2: Expand basic grammar such as singular/plural noun endings, introductory verb conjugation, and adjective forms. We’ll practice useful tasks such as saying where you live and work, discussing travel experiences and preferences, and describing objects. Vocabulary topics will include household and food. Familiarity with basic tenses and grammatical gender is required for this class.

Spanish is the most widely-spoken Romance language in the world, with more than 480 million native speakers. Level 1: For those with very little to no experience with Spanish, learn and practice the alphabet, numbers, greetings, gender agreement, simple present tense of regular verbs, basic vocabulary, and more. Level 2: 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. Level 3: Students should be familiar with the present tense of regular and irregular verbs, as well as with the basic differences between ser y estar. Practice advanced grammar and verb conjugations, present tense of reflexive verbs, how to express time, date and weather, and introduce the past preterite tense. Level 4: Covers grammar topics including the imperfect and the preterite, pronouns, familiar commands, adverbs, as well as the use of se, por, and para. For this level, students should have a clear idea of present and past tense and be able to describe their surroundings in simple terms.

These convivial classes are taught by a native speaker and offer conversation and culture for those who want to refresh their Spanish, take it to the next level, or 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. Intermediate: Students should have knowledge of the preterite, the past imperfect, and the future tense to join this class. We will review these, as well as other grammatical structures, such as the conditional, the imperative, and the present subjunctive. Advanced: For students comfortable with an immersion (Spanish-only) experience. We will work with advanced topics that stimulate deeper conversations and debate and challenge us to further increase our vocabulary.