The Language School

After self-studying Japanese casually for a couple of years, I knew I needed proper instruction to move forward and progress. I am an adult who is just learning for fun, so there aren’t many options in our tiny state for Japanese lessons outside of college classes. I was thrilled to find out that TLS was located close to where I work, and that Zoom classes were also offered. My instructor, Shaekinah, has been wonderful and I really enjoy her visual style of teaching. You can also tailor your lessons around what you are looking to focus on. I just purchased another package of lessons and I’m excited to continue my language journey. I highly recommend TLS for anyone—of any age—looking to learn another language!

Summer of 2019 I was accepted into a Master’s degree program that included a language requirement for graduation. Specifically, I needed to demonstrate an intermediate proficiency in a language other than English by completing a language placement exam or an ACTFL or IETLS recognized qualifying exam in the language of chosen proficiency. During high school, I took a few years of French and Latin but I decided that I wanted to learn Spanish instead, a language I had no experience with; that is when I contacted Karen at the Language School. Karen was awesome from the beginning and I think felt almost the same pressure as I did. She was committed to ensuring I was prepared, and we spent 4-6 hours per week for 6-months together. She was always very flexible with my schedule and made me enjoy learning the language. The classes were completely catered to me and what I needed to learn. Karen was always enthusiastic and I was always excited for our sessions together. I had never been taught a language in the ways Karen teaches, her methods are very effective and unique. I took the test just before the winter break and I am happy to say that I passed the test with flying colors, surpassing intermediate and reaching an advanced level! I could not have done this without Karen’s support, I would highly recommend Karen and the language school. I went from no knowledge of Spanish to an advanced level in 6 months, it was an amazing experience.

I may have stumbled upon The Language School through a chance Google search, but I couldn't be more happy that I did! I am a very busy travel nurse - if I'm not working, I'm adventuring, but it has always been a goal of mine to be able to more effectively communicate with my Spanish speaking patients. I found The Language School online and called Karen from Alaska (knowing I'd be back in CT in the fall). From her warm greeting over the phone, her enthusiasm for my adventures and my desire to learn, and quick conversation about details, I was convinced I was about to be embark on a special learning experience! Karen understood I had little time to waste and quickly assessed what my learning needs were and how to most efficiently direct my lessons. She was able to accommodate my busy schedule, and flexible if I needed to adjust my lesson times. The lessons were comfortable and content specific to my most frequently needed medical scenarios. Karen was always smiling, positive, and encouraging even when I'd get frustrated with myself throughout the learning process. Coincidentally, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in such a time that in three short months of practicing my Spanish with Karen I was ready and able to volunteer there and felt very comfortable communicating with the local people! I'm very grateful to Karen for helping me accomplish this!

Karen is an absolutely amazing teacher with such a vibrant and welcoming personality. She is flexible and knowledgeable and is great with making things approachable while also pushing us to speak with nuance and precision. She makes learning so fun and engaging, and when she’s teaching I feel like I’ve absorbed so much Spanish and am excited to keep learning. Thank you Karen! You are the best!

If you are looking for a customized class that will get students speaking and engaging with the language, The Language School may be the perfect option for you. Karen taught Spanish and English classes to a group of farmers and agricultural workers this past Winter Season. The group of students had mixed levels of formal education and traditional literacy. Karen did an amazing job customizing classes and made each lesson relevant to the students by developing content around agricultural vocabulary, verbs, and phrases. She has a popular education–style approach that worked well, which made classes interactive, engaging, and accessible. Prior to being in class with Karen, all students had been in language classes. Though they had improved in comprehension, many were very hesitant to speak in the language they were learning. In Karen’s class, students regularly practiced speaking. She has a knack for getting people to talk without overthinking or feeling ashamed.

Last year my son became engaged to a lovely young woman from Colombia. My future daughter-in-law spoke fluent English but many of her family members in Colombia did not. I was determined to be able to communicate, on a basic level, with my future in-laws and their extended family. About 4 months before the wedding I met Karen. I was immediately drawn to her "can do" attitude and she assured me there was enough time to learn basic phrases. This was especially important because the wedding was to be in Cartagena. My prior language experience was two years of high school Spanish (ages ago) and 8 weeks of group lessons a few months prior to my experience with The Language School. The group lessons and learning from a book just weren't relevant to my needs. I needed to focus on the language relating to the wedding, family relationships etc. I started private lessons with Karen. First, there was no Spanish course book. We discussed situations I was likely to encounter and the language I would need. Karen used props, pantomime, drawings and a white board. She is a very creative instructor! We practiced pronunciation and used memory tricks to remember words. I had the goal of giving a toast or "brindis" in Spanish at the wedding. Working closely with Karen for several weeks allowed me to stand before the wedding guests and speak like a native! The wedding is in the past but my lessons with Karen continue. We talk about scenarios from everyday life, cooking, gardens, weather, books, my hobbies etc. Karen makes it too much fun to stop!

The Language School has been integral in our sons’ learning new languages. They started with Mandarin and have learned to study it independently. Karen even designed an eight-day intensive to get them ready to study French in a classroom setting. Karen is always kind and available - so important to a busy family!