World Languages
Palo Alto Adult School offers classes in six different languages: Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. Our classes cover Beginning to Advanced instruction based on community interest and demand.
- CHINESE: Beginning
-
10 wks · Mar 25 – Jun 3
Thursday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 407 · $125
Instructor: Wing Hung Wu (Lucia), lucia_wwh@sbcglobal.net Register Now »You can learn Mandarin Chinese. Accurately combining sounds with tones is highly stressed. Students will learn the entire set of standard phonetics, useful vocabulary and phrases, simple daily conversations and the basics of Chinese sentence structure. Characters are not emphasized at this stage. Textbook required (approximately $18). No class April 15.
- CHINESE I
-
10 wks · Mar 23 –Jun 1
Tuesday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 407 · $125
Instructor: Wing Hung Wu (Lucia), lucia_wwh@sbcglobal.net Register Now »Prerequisite: Beginning Chinese or the basic phonetics or equivalent.
Begin to conduct daily conversations more comfortably and start to recognize some common characters. Strengthen phonetics with different tone changes in sentences, expand vocabulary and increase fluency, use different classifiers, and perform English- Chinese translation exercises. Textbook required (approximately $18). No class April 13.
- CHINESE II
-
10 wks · Mar 22-Jun 7
Monday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 407 · $125
Instructor: Wing Hung Wu (Lucia), lucia_wwh@sbcglobal.net Register Now »Prerequisite: Chinese I or equivalent.
Acquire a more native tone and become familiar with characters. Strengthen phonetics, expand vocabulary, and increase fluency by reading more complex passages, writing paragraphs, reading poems and practicing lengthy conversations and tongue twisters. Accuracy of listening and understanding will be emphasized. Textbook required (approximately $18). No class April 12 and May 31.
- FRENCH: Beginning (Third quarter, beginning with Lesson 8)
-
10 wks · Mar 23-Jun 1
Tuesday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 401 · $125
Instructor: Pary Sarraf Register Now »Prerequisite: one quarter of beginning French or equivalent.
Bonjour! Immerse yourself in French language and culture! Build up skills in spoken communication by using vocabulary from everyday situations. Strengthen your pronunciation, reading and grammar while you learn about French culture. Students may purchase the textbook online: Découverte et Création, Textbook ISBN: 0-395-36912-6 and Workbook ISBN: 0-395-52942-5 (Workbooks may be purchased in class). No class April 13.
- FRENCH: Advanced Beginning (Third quarter, beginning with lesson 11)
-
10 wks · Mar 24-Jun 2
Wednesday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 401 · $125
Instructor: Pary Sarraf Register Now »Prerequisite: One or two quarters of Beginning French
On va continuer! You will continue improving vocabulary, and enhancing pronunciation, comprehension, reading and writing skills. Participation in class conversation will develop your proficiency in French for everyday needs while immersing you in French culture and civilization. Students may purchase books online: Textbook ISBN: 0-395-36912-6 and Workbook ISBN: 0-395-52942-5 (Workbooks may be purchased in class). No class April 14.
- FRENCH: Low Intermediate (Third quarter, beginning with lesson 14)
-
10 wks · Mar 22 - Jun 7
Monday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 401 · $125
Instructor: Pary Sarraf Register Now »Prerequisite: Completion of advanced beginning French.
C’est une belle langue! This course is designed for students to continue enhancing conversation skills through participation in daily topics, as well as mastering oral and written comprehension. Improve your pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing while you immerse yourself in French culture and civilization. Students may purchase the textbook online: Découverte et Création, Textbook ISBN: 0-395-36912- 6 and Workbook ISBN: 0-395-52942-5. (Workbooks may be purchased in class.) No class April 12 and May 31.
- ET SI NOUS PARLIONS FRANÇAIS?
-
10 wks · Mar 24 - Jun 2
Wednesday · 7–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 404 · $125
Instructor: Malika Labidi, malikalabidi@yahoo.com Register Now »Prerequisite: Advanced French skills.
Boost your mastery of French in this class focused on conversation. Discuss culture, current events and literature using a variety of media (newspapers, magazines, audio and videotapes). Improve your skills in grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing. The instructor is a native French speaker. No class April 14.
- GERMAN: Beginning
-
8 wks · Mar 25–May 20
Thursday · 7–9:15 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 406 · $112
Instructor: Claudia Lee Register Now »Willkommen! Learn to speak, read, and write the German language, with an emphasis on conversation. Basic grammar is fully explained and Germanic culture is explored. Gain communication skills for use with friends and relatives as well as business or pleasure travel. The textbook, Learn German the Fast and Fun Way, is available for purchase at the Adult School. No class April 15.
- ITALIAN CONVERSATION — PARLIAMO ITALIANO!
-
6 wks · Mar 25–May 6
Thursday · 6–8 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 408 · $75
Instructor: Stefania Filigheddu, stefania.filigheddu@gmail.com Register Now »Prerequisite: Advanced Italian skills.
This is a full six-week immersion in Italian culture, current events and literature. Students will improve their grammar skills, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing using newspapers, magazines, articles and short stories. The class is based on interactive participation of students and group discussions. Homework assignments will be given. No class on April 15.
- ITALIAN COOKING AND TASTING IN ITALIAN — Cuciniamo e parliamo italiano!
-
Session 1
One session · May 20
Thursday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Session 2
One session · May 27
Thursday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 103 · $50
Instructor: Stefania Filigheddu, stefania.filigheddu@gmail.comPrerequisite: Italian Level 2 or equivalent
Register Now »Session 1 (May 20). Class conducted in Italian
Register Now »
Let’s cook Italian food while speaking in Italian! Stefania, a native Italian and kitchen-lover, will teach you to prepare authentic fresh fettuccine starting from eggs, followed by filetto al pepe verde. Finally, taste a homemade dessert and learn how to use the classic Italian moka espresso! machine (regular or decaf coffee). Buon appetito!Session 2 (May 27). Class conducted in Italian
Taste Italian specialties and speak Italian! Discuss regional festivals, cheeses and affettati, such as: Prosciutto di Parma, Speck Alto Adige and Burrata from Puglia. Taste soft, semisoft and seasoned cheese from cows or sheep. Learn how to present them using fruit, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil or honey. Buon appetito! - JAPANESE: Beginning (First Quarter; from lesson 6))
-
10 wks · Mar 23–Jun 1
Tuesday · 7-9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 405 · $125
Instructor:Yumiko Itoh, yitoh@sbcglobal.net Register Now »Have you ever wondered what those crazy Japanese quiz shows are all about? Do you like anime? Planning a trip to Japan? This is your chance to learn situational Japanese. Emphasis is placed on speaking simply and correctly and will involve reading and writing of kana characters. Required textbook Japanese for Busy People I (revised 3rd edition) is available at the Adult School office. No class on April 13.
- JAPANESE: Advanced Beginning (Second quarter; from lesson 3)
-
10 wks · Mar 24–Jun 2
Wednesday · 7-9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 405 · $125
Instructor:Yumiko Itoh, yitoh@sbcglobal.net Register Now »Prerequisite: Understanding of book I; kana reading/writing.
The goal of this class is to improve your comprehension. We will work on improving your speaking skills and building your grammar and vocabulary. We will practice kanji as well as kana. Acquire a working knowledge of the spoken language in everyday life and explore Japanese culture. Required textbook Japanese for Busy People II (revised 3rd edition) is available at the Adult School office. No class on April 14.
- SPANISH: Beginning
-
SECTION A (3rd quarter)
10 wks · Mar 22–Jun 7
Monday · 6–8 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 402 · $125
SECTION B (1st quarter)
10 wks · Mar 23–Jun 1
Tuesday · 6-8 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 402 · $125
SECTION C (2nd quarter)
10 wks · Mar 23 - Jun 1
Tuesday · 8-10 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 402 · $125
SECTION D (3rd quarter)
10 wks · Mar 25–Jun 3
Thursday · 7-9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 402 · $125
Instructor: Leonardo McCord Salazar Register Now »
Do you wish you could understand the Spanish all around
you? Explore the essentials of conversational Spanish. Principles
of grammar will be fully explained. You will develop
both reading and writing skills. Mr. McCord Salazar is a native
speaker of Spanish. The required textbook, ¡Bienvenidos
a Guadalajara!, is available in the Adult School office. Please
note the quarters indicated below. No class April 12, April 13, April
15 and May 31. - SPANISH: Low Intermediate (Second quarter)
-
10 wks · Mar 24–Jun 2
Wednesday · 7–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 403 · $125
Instructor: Sara Tevis, tevvy67@hotmail.com Register Now »Prerequisite: Three quarters of Beginning Spanish or equivalent.
¿Habla Vd. español? Continue studying Spanish with this yearlong course that focuses on conversational skills. Add to your knowledge of grammar and culture of the contemporary Hispanic world. Required textbook may be purchased at the Adult School office. No class April 14.
- SPANISH: High Intermediate Conversation (Third quarter)
-
10 wks · Mar 24–Jun 2
Wednesday · 7–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 402 · $125
Instructor: Leonardo McCord Salazar Register Now »Prerequisite: Beginning and Low Intermediate Spanish (six quarters or equivalent).
You’re ready for more if you know the basics of Spanish grammar and have an active vocabulary of 2,000 words. Learn new grammatical structures and the not-so-dreaded Spanish subjunctive. You will develop speaking, listening and reading skills by discussing short works of contemporary Spanish/ Latin-American literature. Two textbooks are required. No class April 14.
- ADVANCED SPANISH CONVERSATION AND LITERATURE
-
10 wks · Mar 24–Jun 2
Wednesday · 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 406 · $125
Instructor: Graciela McCord Register Now »Prerequisite: Advanced Spanish skills.
Converse only in Spanish and read contemporary Spanish/Latin-American plays, novels and short stories. Increase vocabulary and awareness of the Spanish-speaking world through group discussion. Repetition of the course is encouraged, as new literature is introduced each quarter. Graciela McCord is a native speaker of Spanish. Purchase of a textbook is required.
Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges