News from the School
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Dear Friends,
Let’s Talk Language School is in its seventh year. It's hard to believe! Each year it seems to be easier
to run. SO many students are returning each year. It is satisfying to see.
Currently, we offer Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, and English. We encourage people interested
in taking English, Mandarin, Arabic, German and Russian to contact us. We would love to start new
classes in any of these languages. If we don’t have enough people for a class we may be able to hook
you up with a native-speaking tutor.
French is an important part of our curriculum. We offer three levels of classes. The lower levels are
taught by Nathalie Choquette and the upper level is taught by Mike Brackett. In addition, Let’s Talk
has an on-going program with the Centre de formation des Bâtisseurs in St. Joseph, Québec.
Together, we run a three day French immersion in St. Joseph that is scheduled this year for October
15th – 17th. French speakers of all levels are welcome as we have Canadian volunteers who are
willing to work with each participant individually. I encourage you to try this program.
In April 2010, Let’s Talk and the Centre de formation des Bâtisseurs ran a one-week English
immersion program in Waterville for 14 students from Québec. This program is scheduled to run
again April 25th – 30th of 2011. I want to thank Lorraine Turcotte, directrice adjointe of the Centre de
formation des Bâtisseurs for everything she has done to make this program successful.
We continue to host a weekly French conversation hour at the school on Tuesdays at 6:15 pm during
the school semsters. There is a lively mix of local Francos and other French speakers who attend this
event weekly. Michael Brackett and Steve Buchsbaum are almost always there. This fall, Steve may
have a few bottles of sparkling wine produced by Tree Spirits at their new winery and distillery in
Oakland. (DISCLOSURE: Steve and Bruce Olson have started a winery and distillery in Oakland
called Tree Spirits.)
The "Encuentro al Restaurante Cancun" is new and will take place at the Mexican restaurant on Silver
Street in Waterville on Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. This weekly Spanish conversation hour will
replace the weekly cena at the school. This is open to the public, so drop in to habla español!
The school is extremely fortunate to have found two wonderful volunteers, Vince & Pat Santoni. Vince
and Pat will be filling in for me and Steve this fall and winter. Their help is truly appreciated. Vince
says that they had a wonderful time with the Canadians during the spring English immersion;they are
still telling their friends and family about it.
Our 2009 fundraising campaign raised almost $3,000. Thank you so much to all our
contributors! If there is any way you can contribute to the 2010 campaign, you're help would be
appreciated. We are proud of the school and want to see it continue to be a positive force in the re-
development of downtown Waterville. There is another way your donation will help. Foundations look
for local support in evaluating grant requests. We intend to follow up this local fund-raising campaign
by requesting a foundation grant. Local donations will make our request much stronger. Thanks for
your support.
Gina Coppens
President
Let’s Talk Language School is in its seventh year. It's hard to believe! Each year it seems to be easier
to run. SO many students are returning each year. It is satisfying to see.
Currently, we offer Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, and English. We encourage people interested
in taking English, Mandarin, Arabic, German and Russian to contact us. We would love to start new
classes in any of these languages. If we don’t have enough people for a class we may be able to hook
you up with a native-speaking tutor.
French is an important part of our curriculum. We offer three levels of classes. The lower levels are
taught by Nathalie Choquette and the upper level is taught by Mike Brackett. In addition, Let’s Talk
has an on-going program with the Centre de formation des Bâtisseurs in St. Joseph, Québec.
Together, we run a three day French immersion in St. Joseph that is scheduled this year for October
15th – 17th. French speakers of all levels are welcome as we have Canadian volunteers who are
willing to work with each participant individually. I encourage you to try this program.
In April 2010, Let’s Talk and the Centre de formation des Bâtisseurs ran a one-week English
immersion program in Waterville for 14 students from Québec. This program is scheduled to run
again April 25th – 30th of 2011. I want to thank Lorraine Turcotte, directrice adjointe of the Centre de
formation des Bâtisseurs for everything she has done to make this program successful.
We continue to host a weekly French conversation hour at the school on Tuesdays at 6:15 pm during
the school semsters. There is a lively mix of local Francos and other French speakers who attend this
event weekly. Michael Brackett and Steve Buchsbaum are almost always there. This fall, Steve may
have a few bottles of sparkling wine produced by Tree Spirits at their new winery and distillery in
Oakland. (DISCLOSURE: Steve and Bruce Olson have started a winery and distillery in Oakland
called Tree Spirits.)
The "Encuentro al Restaurante Cancun" is new and will take place at the Mexican restaurant on Silver
Street in Waterville on Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. This weekly Spanish conversation hour will
replace the weekly cena at the school. This is open to the public, so drop in to habla español!
The school is extremely fortunate to have found two wonderful volunteers, Vince & Pat Santoni. Vince
and Pat will be filling in for me and Steve this fall and winter. Their help is truly appreciated. Vince
says that they had a wonderful time with the Canadians during the spring English immersion;they are
still telling their friends and family about it.
Our 2009 fundraising campaign raised almost $3,000. Thank you so much to all our
contributors! If there is any way you can contribute to the 2010 campaign, you're help would be
appreciated. We are proud of the school and want to see it continue to be a positive force in the re-
development of downtown Waterville. There is another way your donation will help. Foundations look
for local support in evaluating grant requests. We intend to follow up this local fund-raising campaign
by requesting a foundation grant. Local donations will make our request much stronger. Thanks for
your support.
Gina Coppens
President
| Language School 31 Temple Street Waterville, ME 04901 207-873-0432 |