Cultural Notes By Joelle Petit Adkins

Internationa Digital Library

ICDL (International Children's Digital Library) (http://en.childrenslibrary.org/) is a site that offers children's books from all over the world in various languages that have been scanned and can be looked at and read online.  The books can be searched by age, awards, length, language, genre or cover color among other ways. The books can be read by clicking to move through the pages. If the print is too small to read, just click the text, and it enlarges. The site also offers information about the books including author, publisher, publishing date and occasionally other information.

Foreign language prep for Middle and High School students

Middle and High school Foreign Language Preparation

Too many young students struggle and fail in their first or second year of learning a foreign language. Why and what to do? This article will answer your questions.

 
Teen and pre-teen foreign language preparation classes      

Do you have an 11 to 15 years old child? Then read on… Otherwise, pass this article to someone who has a Teen.

Next September or in a year or two, your child will be starting or continuing a second language. Most likely Spanish, French or Chinese…

Everything will be great the first 2 or 3 months. Your child, equipped with a amazing memory will succeed in taking quiz and tests, ease through his homework (often a simple worksheet) and life will be simple in the foreign language department.

Then comes the second quarter… this wonderful and amazing memory that helped your child through the first months will now be playing tricks on him and his tests will start to be less and less shinning… He is still doing his homework (the famous worksheet), he is still remembering what the teacher said in class… but what is happening now? Oh no! he doesn’t remember this word, or that one… and how do you correctly spell this verb? Can’t remember… anymore.

You see, because of his amazing memory, and because no one taught him how to study a foreign language, you child really never anchored the vocabulary, never really memorized (in a long term memory way) the rules that would help him now and later with his verbs… he did his worksheets nicely and on time, but never really “learned” the language. Like a house would crumble without foundations, your child is slowly failing his foreign language class.

This is when you and him look for a rescue plan…

Every year, dozens of your teen have to squeeze 2 or more hours of foreign language for several weeks of tutoring to avoid a low grade (in the best cases). We all work hard to bring back the missing links, it takes a lot of time, dedication and money.

This is definitely a way to do it…

However there are much better ways.

Based on our experience with the middle and high school students who come to us every year with the hope we will help them to regain some momentum we designed a one-week camp addressing most of the hidden challenges. Students who took the course in the previous years have enjoyed a trouble free, high grade and peace of mind the following year.
   
Don’t wait until your child is failing:
•   It will affect his grades
•   It will damage his self-esteem
•   The task will be much more stressful
•   It will be costly
•   It will take a great deal of time and commitment from his part, but who is going to drive him to us? You will be also seriously impacted…

Get prepared now! Check our Teen I and Teen II camps:
www.savoirfaire-california.com   

August 11, 2009

Joëlle Petit Adkins

Chief Executive Director

SAVOIR FAIRE Language Institute, INC.

310-378-1086

"Speaking a foreign language within your reach and in your neighborhood" Since 1995

Hughes Aufray in Los Angeles

This announcement is provided by:

Savoir Faire Language Institute

_{Foreign language within your reach and in your neighborhood}

THE MUSIC CENTER IS PROUD TO PRESENT FRENCH MUSIC LEGEND HUGUES AUFRAY ONE NIGHT ONLY - Friday, August 21, 2009 - 8:00 p.m. With a long and illustrious career spanning five decades, this modern day troubadour's music has become engrained in international popular culture. In 1965, Hugues released his best-known Dylan cover, "Aufray Chante Dylan". In 1995, he released his second Dylan cover "Aufray Trans Dylan". For over forty years, Hugues' songs "Santiano," "Celine," and "Stewball" have been sung by both children and adults alike, proof that his music conquers the hearts of a very diverse audience. Having toured all over Europe, Canada, and Hong Kong, the French music icon is now making his grand debut here at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

 

Click here for event site. Location: Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 South Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012 Ticket Information: Front Orchestra: $90 Orchestra: $70 Orchestra East/West: $55 Terrace and Terrace East/West: $45 Balcony, and Orchestra View/Terrace View: (behind stage) $35 Visit Ticketmaster.com, the WDCH Box Office or call 213-365-3500 (English). STUDENT/SENIOR SPECIAL OFFER: 50% discount for pair of tickets in Terrace East and Terrace West sections only. Proper ID required at time of purchase. One pair of tickets per ID, limited tickets available. Can only be purchased at WDCH box office. Offer does not apply to single tickets. GROUP TICKETS AVAILABLE: 20% off all sections for groups of 15 or more. E-mail globalpop@musiccenter.org

Mommy and Me in French and Spanish Free in May!

Savoir Faire Language Institute

_{Foreign language within your reach and in your neighborhood}

Mommy & Me

free in May!

SPANISH & FRENCH  start week of May 4th 2009

(Mandarin coming soon)

 

Savoir Faire’s Mommy & Me class designed for children ages 20-30 months. Children attend one or two 45 minute classes. Activities are tailored to this age group, using familiar songs, books, and toys to create a fun, natural learning environment. Little ones learn language best when engaged in meaningful play. Our Mommy & Me is taught by trained and caring teachers who bring love and language during this critical developmental period. Mom gets some material to practice at home for each class.

 

Learning a second language early in life primes a child’s mind and develops its intellectual potential.  The first three years are when the mind is open and absorbing more than at any other time.  The right brain, or image brain, is still in charge, and takes in everything around it.  It’s best to set up as many positive learning experiences as possible in that time, to keep the child in tune with the joy of learning for later in life.  By six or seven, the left brain is beginning to assert itself, bringing with it judgment, and the ability to decide what it does and does not want to learn.  So start now!  The earlier the better.

 

Some of our Mommy & Me teachers:

 

►SPANISH TEACHER … meet Ana!  Ana Maza was born and raised in a town outside Mexico City. She attended the Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico where she earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Before joining Savoir Faire in December 2001, Ana spent time tutoring disadvantaged youth in reading and writing in Spanish.  Ana has a degree in Early Childhood Development and is a credentialed teacher.  She excels at working with children and is responsible for our immersion preschool program.  Ana is a great people person and “loves the interaction with students”.

 

 

►FRENCH TEACHER … meet Rolla!  Rolla has a Bachelor in Educational Psychology and a Teaching Credential.  She started teaching French as a second language in the early 80’s and was working for the same institution for 20 years until she moved to the US in August 08, to allow her son to study at an American University.  She is from Lebanon, educated in a French University. Her French is completely native, and her accent is French native. Her skills as a language teacher are deep and well practiced. Since she started with us, she has always been very prepared and loved by her students.  She is extremely patient and attentive to the needs of her students.

 

Come out and play with us!  Call for details

 

www.savoirfaire-california.com

310.378.1086 

 

Las Mujeres De Juárez

Savoir Faire Language Institute

_{Foreign language within your reach and in your neighborhood}

The Women Of Juarez/Las Mujeres De Juárez

This amazing show returns to the Frida Kahlo Theatre.

The Women Of Juarez/Las Mujeres De Juárez
Friday, April 10, 2009 to Sunday, May 17, 2009 8:00PM to 8:00PM

The Women Of Juarez/Las Mujeres De Juárez
returns by popular demand five years and over 300 performances

Ingrid Marquez stars in Rubén Amavizca-Murúa The Women Of Juarez/Las Mujeres De Juárez is the story of a mother searching for her missing daughter only to discover an intricate web of misogyny, police and political corruption. The case of The Women Of Juarez begins in 1993. Since then, over 600 women have been reported missing and the bodies of more than 400 murdered victims have been found. Most of the victims are dark-skinned young factory workers.

THE WOMEN OF JUAREZ/LAS MUJERES DE JUÁREZ will be performed at the FRIDA KAHLO Theater, 2332 West Fourth Street, Los Angeles, 90057, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays at 6 PM:

In Spanish: April 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, and May 10
In English: May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17.

Tickets prices are $15 general; $13 for groups of 10 or more.
Special $12 tickets for our performances on May 10.

Where FRIDA KAHLO Theater
2332 West Fourth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90057

Admission Ages: 12 and above
Price: $15 general;
Discount: $12 on May 10th

Contact 213-382-8133
http://www.fridakahlotheater.org/

Japan Film Festival in Los Angeles

Savoir Faire Language Institute

_{Foreign language within your reach and in your neighborhood}

Japan Film Festival

Japan Film Festival Los Angeles, JFFLA, is dedicated to delivering contemporary Japanese culture to the community. Through this festival they want to inspire open communication and the exchange of ideas between Japan and the U.S. 

Check website for details and locations

Puccini's Madame Butterfly from Casa Italiana

Savoir Faire Language Institute

_{Foreign language within your reach and in your neighborhood}

Dinner and an Opera: Puccini's Madame Butterfly from Casa Italiana Casa Italiana Cultural Center Los Angeles,Ca Sunday, Jun. 14 @ 2:30pm Full Price: $70.00    Our Price: $35.00 Casa Italiana Opera Company presents Puccini's beloved tragedy, Madame Butterfly, accompanied by a full five-course meal. Madame Butterfly is the heart-wrenching story of a beautiful young geisha who sacrifices her family, her religion and, ultimately, her life for her American husband Learn More

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Foreign language within your reach and in your 

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Colcoa Film Festival 2009

From

Savoir Faire Language Institute

Foreign language within your reach and in your 

neighborhood

COL•COA is a unique showcase for French films in North America. COL•COA screenings offer exceptional exposure for French films.
More for schedule and more details:
http://www.colcoa.org/2009/home/index.asp

ColCoa Film Festival 2009

Source: www.colcoa.org

From

Savoir Faire Language Institute

Foreign language within your reach and in your 

neighborhood

An evening with Author & Mariachi Historian Gil Sperry

From

Savoir Faire Language Institute

Foreign language within your reach and in your 

neighborhood

Location:

Main Library, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

The Redondo Beach Public Library presents an evening with author and mariachi historian, Gil Sperry. http://www.redondo.org/cals/library.asp

This delightful hadnbook celebrates Mariachi, providing insight into the joy and diversity of Mexican culture through its beloved music.

Light refreshments provided by the Friends of the Redondo Beach Public Library.
(Free Program. No Registration Required.)
Mariachi for Gringos Website - Gil Sperry