Arlington Community Education

Learn how to ease tension, increase circulation, and relieve pain with simple massage techniques you can do on yourself. We’ll use our own hands, fingers, elbows and other household items like tennis balls to treat ourselves to effective massages. Discover how to activate energy meridians, stimulate the lymphatic system, and use acupressure points to reduce pain, decrease stress, and bring greater harmony to your body. Through demonstration, practice time, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions, you’ll start to notice the benefits of this practice in no time.

Clustered along a half-mile stretch of Boston’s Huntington Avenue stands a dense concentration of cultural institutions, on what is now designated as the “Avenue of the Arts” and the adjoining Fenway Cultural District. From McKim, Mead & White's Symphony Hall to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, this tour tells the stories of the institutions, architects, and benefactors behind this remarkable concentration of establishments dedicated to the fine and performing arts, culture, education, religion, and sports. Please note: Meeting location will be included in the Course Reminder email. All walks meet rain or shine.

During the Gilded Age of the late nineteenth century, Boston's Back Bay was alive with social clubs and thriving cultural institutions. On this tour, we will explore the favorite haunts of Boston's upper-class, often known as "Boston Brahmins." Though "Brahmins" had a reputation for being exclusive and elitist, many of these men and women were active in making our city—and the whole nation—a better place to live. They fought to abolish slavery and to recognize women’s rights, and they built libraries, colleges, museums and orchestras. Though this elite generation of wealthy activists was often philanthropic and well-intentioned, on this tour we’ll also discuss their limitations and shortcomings. You will visit several sites throughout the Back Bay, including the place where Isabella Stewart Gardner lived before she transformed a Venetian Palace into a museum; the location of MFA sponsored art lessons for women; and Trinity Church where Phillips Brooks brought the social gospel to his parishioners and won the hearts of Boston’s rich and poor Please note: Meeting location will be included in the Course Reminder email. All walks meet rain or shine.

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.

What’s more fun than country-western line dance? You don’t even need a partner. Young and old, men and women, athletes and couch potatoes—anyone can have a great time. Just bring your two left feet, because in line dancing there are no mistakes! Beginner If you’ve never line danced before or have only done a few classes, this is the place for you. We’ll start from the very beginning, with simple dances that teach you the basic building blocks of line dancing. Lots of practice, and we’ll teach each dance. You’ll get low-impact exercise as we dance to (mostly) country western music. Intermediate If you’ve been dancing for a while and are ready for a new challenge, this is the class for you. These dances are longer, faster, have more turns, or use challenging moves. Expect it to take more than one week to learn each dance, so we will learn fewer dances than the beginner class, but we’ll still have a great time. Remember, challenging your brain fends off dementia!

Learning to draw is about learning to see. Learn and practice basic techniques as we draw objects and scenes around us. Each week will introduce a new topic, such as perspective, light, shade and shadow, value, and relationships, and we’ll draw together as we integrate these concepts. For inspiration, we’ll look at examples of artists whose work demonstrates our new techniques. We will work on a variety of subjects which may include landscapes, still lives, people, and more. All levels are welcome, especially beginners. Please note: A supply list will be emailed once the class has reached minimum enrollment.

Investigate and express summer through drawing, painting, and print making. Learn techniques and methodologies in diverse mediums and then experiment to combine them to create a comprehensive mixed media masterpiece! Artists of all levels welcome. Please note: We will email you a supply list once the class reaches minimum enrollment.

DO NOT ENROLL HERE. Visit Ed2Go to select your classes. Arlington Community Education partners with Ed2Go to offer hundreds of online courses that meet the varied needs of our students. Enrichment and educational courses--from Art to Web Design and everything in between at Ed2Go.

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

Essentrics lengthens and strengthens every muscle in the body through a dynamic combination of movements. This completely original full-body workout draws on the flowing movements of tai chi and ballet to create a balanced, flexible, and pain-free body. Essentrics rebalances the body, prevents and treats injuries, unlocks tight joints, and develops lean, strong, and flexible muscles with immediate changes to your posture. Please note: This class focuses on the full body and moves at a fast tempo, ideal for physically active men and women. Please have a yoga mat, towel, and water on hand for each class.

Upon completion of this course, you can expect to converse on a broad range of topics with greater confidence and precision. Building upon the skills already acquired, you will learn direct and indirect object pronouns and start the imperfect verb tense. Once we confirm that the course meets minimum enrollment, you will need to purchase Contacts edition 8 or 9, easily found used or downloadable online.

Do you ever look at your yard and know that it could be nicer but you don't know how or where to begin? Or are you a new homeowner and unsure what kinds of plants you have or how to maintain them? It can be overwhelming. Join a passionate garden coach for practical skills and tips on where to start to make your outside space looking its best. A few simple things can make a big and immediate difference for your landscape. All you need is your enthusiasm, energy, and some basic tools. Please note: This class is not about growing vegetables.

Level 2: Whether your goal is to speak to Israelis, read the Hebrew Bible in its original language, or follow along at Shabbat services, you'll continue building on your foundation in this unique language. After a quick review of Hebrew verb-conjugation in the past tense, this class will focus on the future tense, improving your Hebrew reading skills, and practice with Hebrew fairy tales and the Book of Ruth. Each week we'll begin with "Hebrew in the Wild"—examples of Hebrew found outside of class, brought in by Natasha, and you, too! Expect lively class discussions and optional weekly homework assignments. Please note: Once the class reaches minimum enrollment, this text will be required for class (if you don't already have it): https://www.amazon.com/First-Hebrew-Primer-Beginners-Biblical/dp/0939144158/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3L2RNXYJKNL94&dchild=1&keywords=first+hebrew+primer+3rd+edition&qid=1632767050&sprefix=first+hebrew%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1

Summers in India are rainy, humid and unbearably hot. The heat of the summer, however, brings an abundance of leafy vegetables, fresh corn and mangoes to the marketplace. Home cooks rush to incorporate summer crops into their daily meal plans. This class will indulge your taste buds with corn fritters (deep fried goodness with grated corn, onions, chilies, and ginger in a chickpea flour batter), served with date chutney (sweet and sour sauce made with dates and tamarind), spinach rice (rice cooked with spinach, tomatoes, garam masala and nuts), lassi (yogurt drink scented with rose water) and mango kulfi (mango ice cream with fresh mango and cardamom). You will learn how to prepare the meal, and then sit down to enjoy it with the instructor and fellow students.

Building upon the basic foundation provided in Beginning Italian (-are verbs, few irregular verbs, articles, calendar) you will improve your listening skills and conversational ability through structured dialogues and other practical activities. Begin to communicate more precisely as you learn -ere and -ire verbs in the present and all conjugations in the past tenses. Topics will include: review of expressions of date and quantity, indefinite and definite articles, past tense, interrogatives, and direct object pronouns (Prego chapters 2-4). Once we meet minimum enrollment, students will need to purchase thePrego textbook (editions 6, 7 or 8).

INTERMEDIATE: This program is designed for students who have completed all beginner and intermediate type classes and who want to increase their conversational and comprehension skills. Conducted largely in Italian, this course provides students with an opportunity to markedly improve their speaking and listening skills using only presente and passato prossimo. Topics covered: passato prossimo versus imperfect, presente, pronouns. ADVANCED: This program, conducted entirely in Italian, is designed for students who are already proficient in intermediate level classes and who want to increase their conversational and reading abilities. You will have the opportunity to markedly improve your speaking and listening skills. Short stories designed to provide practical opportunities for vocabulary and skill development are selected to match student interests. Grammatical topics are addressed as needed.

Advance your Italian language skills in this Intermediate level program. Upon completion, you should be able to discuss topics such as moods, travel, holidays and business, using the present and past tenses. This class will emphasize improvement of oral comprehension and creative expression through the use of teaching resources, including reading selections. Reflexive verbs, indirect and direct object pronouns, expressions of time and duration, simple and articulated prepositions will be covered (Prego chapters 4-7). Once we meet minimum enrollment, you will need to purchase the Prego textbook (editions 6, 7 or 8).

Morning yoga classes ease you into your day with poses that connect the mind, body, and spirit. Particular attention is given to helping each student understand and work with their body to achieve proper alignment. Regular practice of yoga brings calm, focus, increased flexibility, and strength to your life.

You’ve got the basics—knitting and purling—but need help fixing a project, learning a specific technique, or would like to just knit together. Join Kathy and other students for a fun and informative sit and knit session.

Music can be a wonderful way to gain insights into different cultures. Explore the diverse styles of music that come from Latin America through this interactive class led in both English and Spanish. As we listen to examples of influential and current genres including mambo, cumbia, salsa, merengue, we’ll also learn some Spanish through discussions of the lyrics. Each week we’ll trace the history and development of the styles that have emerged from places such as México, Argentina, Venezuela, Central America, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Many people know of Latin American performers when they make the crossover into the American market. However, very few in this country have an awareness of the rich musical heritage of the countries in their own backyard. Expand your knowledge of Latin America and gain appreciation for the incredible music in a whole new way. Please note: Basic knowledge of Spanish is required (for those who have taken Spanish: Level 1 or have equivalent knowledge).

Drawing is a skill that can be developed with practice, and the more you learn, the more fun it is. This class introduces basic drawing techniques and is designed to increase your observation skills. You'll discover how to realistically represent what you see through studies in contour drawing, perspective, value, and texture rendering. Looking at the illustrations from great master’s drawings, we’ll analyze the artists’ approach to basic drawings problems. We’ll draw both from observation and from photo references, using various pencils, pastels and charcoal on paper. Please note: Once the class meets minimum enrollment, we will email you a materials list.