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.
Check out our complete list of World Language classes in the Fall. Registration for the Fall Quarter begins August 13th.
- CHINESE: Beginning
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8 wks · Sept 23–Nov 18
Thursday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 407 · $96
Instructor: Wing Hung Wu (Lucia), lucia_wwh@sbcglobal.net Register Now »Chinese Express: Lessons 1–5
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 November 11.
- CHINESE IA
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10 wks · Sept 15–Nov 17
Wednesday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm P2 · $125
Instructor: Wing Hung Wu (Lucia), lucia_wwh@sbcglobal.net Register Now »Prerequisite: Beginning Chinese or the basic phonetics or equivalent.
Chinese Express: Lessons 6–10
Strengthen the accuracy of phonetics and tone, expand vocabulary and learn sentence structure with how much, what, where, when, which and who; improve fluency, learn the rules of tone changes and the use of different classifiers; and practice English-Chinese translation exercises. At the end of the series, students will be able to talk about money, time, directions and food, and recognize 100 common characters. Textbook required ($18).
- CHINESE IB
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10 wks · Sept 14–Nov 16
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: Chinese 1A or equivalent.
Chinese Express: Lessons 11-15
Acquire a more native tone with tongue twisters, expand vocabulary, improve fluency in reading lengthy paragraphs and having long conversations. Translation exercises and poems will be introduced. Accuracy of listening and understanding will be emphasized. Recognize 200 characters. Textbook required ($18).
- CHINESE II
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10 wks ·Sept 13–Nov 22
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 IB, phonetic basic and recognize 300 characters or equivalent.
Chinese Express: Lessons 16-20
Learning Chinese in characters (mainly simplified version, will be accompanied with traditional version as necessary). Students will learn to write characters properly. Writing and translation exercises will be assigned every week. Use phonetic skills and computer software to write Chinese passages for group conversations and individual speech presentations. Textbook required ($18). No class October 11.
- FRENCH: Beginning (No Prerequisite Required)
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10 wks · Sept 15–Nov 17
Wednesday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 401 · $125
Instructor: Pary Sarraf Register Now »Prerequisite: None
Bonjour! Students with no knowledge of French language are welcome in this 10-week class. You will become familiar with the basic fundamentals of French phonetics, pronunciation, useful vocabulary and daily conversational phrases, and reading. Students may purchase textbooks online. Découverte et Création, Textbook ISBN: 0-395-36912-6 and Workbook ISBN: 0-395-52942-5 (Workbook may be purchased in class).
- FRENCH: Advanced Beginning (First quarter)
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10 wks · Sept 14–Nov 16
Tuesday · 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
C'est une belle langue! This course is designed to improve pronunciation and phonetics, and develop vocabulary and grammatical rules necessary in mastering the basic skills needed in everyday conversation. Students will become familiar with different aspects of the French culture. Students may purchase textbooks online. Textbook ISBN: 0-395-36912-6 and Workbook ISBN: 0-395-52942-5 (Workbooks may be purchased in class).
- FRENCH: Low Intermediate (First Quarter)
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9 wks · Sept 13–Nov 22
Monday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 401 · $113
Instructor: Pary Sarraf Register Now »Prerequisite: Completion of advanced beginning French.
C'est une belle langue! Continue your immersion in French language and culture and master communication skills through participation in a variety of conversation topics. Enhance pronunciation and develop vocabulary and grammar. Students will become familiar with different aspects of the French culture. Students may purchase textbooks 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 September 27 and October 11.
- ET SI NOUS PARLIONS FRANÇAIS?
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10 wks · Sept 15–Nov 17
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
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7 wks · Sept 23–Nov 18
Thursday · 6:30–8:45 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 406 · $100
Instructor: Claudia Lee Register Now »Willkommen! Welcome!) Learn to speak, read, and write the German language. Conversation is emphasized in this lively and relaxed class. Basic grammar is fully explained and Germanic culture is explored. Gain communication skills for use with friends and relatives as well as for business or pleasure travel. The textbook with CDs, Learn German the Fast and Fun Way, is available for purchase at the Adult School. No class October 14 and November 11.
- ITALIAN: Level I
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7 wks · Sept 23–Nov 4
Thursday · 6–7:25 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 408 · $75
Instructor: Stefania Filigheddu, stefania.filigheddu@gmail.com Register Now »Buongiorno! Acquire the foundation of the Italian language with correct pronunciation, basic grammar and vocabulary through use of simple dialogue and phrases, readings, and written and oral exercises. Special readings emphasize important cultural aspects of Italy (geography, history, customs). Homework assignments will be given. The textbook, Studio italiano is required and available in the Adult School office (approximately $45). The instructor is a native Italian speaker.
- ITALIAN: Level II
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9 wks · Sept 15–Nov 10
Wednesday · 7-9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 408 · $113
Instructor: Laura Landolfi, lauralandolfi@sbcglobal.net Register Now »Prerequisite: Level I or equivalent.
Bentornati! (Welcome back!) This class will increase your knowledge of basic conversation and grammar skills learned in the previous class and will be conducted partially in Italian. Students will gain confidence in reading, writing and speaking through increasingly complex practice and exercises, as well as continue their learning of Italian life and culture. Homework assignments will be given. The textbook Studio Italiano is required and available in the Adult School office (approximately $45).
- ADVANCED ITALIAN: Reading and Writing in Italian
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7 wks · Sept 23–Nov 4
Thursday · 7:30-9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 408 · $75
Instructor: Stefania Filigheddu, stefania.filigheddu@gmail.com Register Now »Prerequisite: Advanced Italian skills
Read contemporary Italian plays, novels, short stories or news with confidence and a perfect pronunciation. Write a well organized composition in a pertinent style and register. Learn to demonstrate the use of a rich and appropriate vocabulary, idiomatic language, and competence in grammar, orthography and punctuation. The instructor is a native Italian speaker and this class is conducted in Italian. Handouts will be provided during the lessons and the title of the text book will be available at registration.
- JAPANESE: Beginning
(Book I, Starts with Lesson 1)
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10 wks · Sept 20–Nov 29
Monday · 7-9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 405 · $125
Instructor: Sawako Tajima Register Now »Konnichiwa! Are you planning a trip to Japan? Do you like anime? 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 October 11.
- JAPANESE: Beginning II (Book I, Starts with Lesson 10)
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10 wks · Sept 22-Dec 1
Wednesday · 7-9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 405 · $125
Instructor: Sawako Tajima Register Now »Prerequisite: Understanding of Lessons 1– 9 of Book I and kana reading/writing
The goal of this class is to increase your ability to express yourself. We will work on speaking skills and building grammar and vocabulary. Acquire a working knowledge of the spoken language in everyday life and explore Japanese culture. Ganbarimasho! Required textbook Japanese for Busy People I (revised 3rd edition) is available at the Adult School office. No class November 24.
- JAPANESE: Intermediate (Book II, Starts with Lesson 7)
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8 wks · Sept 23–Nov 18
Thursday · 7-9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 405 · $100
Instructor: Sawako Tajima Register Now »Prerequisite: Understanding of Book I; kana reading/writing.
Improve your comprehension and learn more expressions. We will work on speaking/ listening skills, and building grammar/ vocabulary as well. Familiarize yourself with more kanji characters, and gain more confidence. Isshoni benkyo simasho! Required textbook: Japanese for Busy People II (revised 3rd edition) is available at the Adult School office. No class on November 11.
- SPANISH: Beginning
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SECTION A (1st quarter)
10 wks · Sept 13–Nov 22
Monday · 6–8 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 402 · $125
SECTION B (3rd quarter)
10 wks ·Sept 14–Nov 16
Tuesday · 6-8 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 402 · $125
SECTION C (1st quarter)
10 wks ·Sept 14–Nov 16
Tuesday · 8-10 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 402 · $125
SECTION D (1st quarter)
8 wks ·Sept 23–Nov 18
Thursday · 7-9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 402 · $100
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. No class October 11 and
November 11. - SPANISH: Low Intermediate (First quarter)
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10 wks · Sept 15–Nov 17
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 (First quarter)
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10 wks · Sept 15–Nov 17
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
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10 wks · Sept15–Nov 17
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