‘Jumpstart’ Your Mandarin and French Skills at U.Va.

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The University of Virginia’s Lorna Sundberg International Center is offering short-term language instruction in Mandarin and French this semester as part of its Language Jumpstart program.

Participants will learn everyday phrases, greetings, basic grammar and alphabet phonetics.

Offered in collaboration with foreign language departments in the College of Arts & Sciences, the program will feature short lectures followed by practice in small groups with native or advanced speakers.

Open to anyone in the U.Va. and Charlottesville communities on a first-come, first-served basis, the program is being offered on two Saturdays, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 21 University Circle. Mandarin instruction will be offered Feb. 23 and March 2. French instruction will be offered April 6 and 13.

Applications and fees are available here. Space is limited to 12 participants. U.Va. employee Education Benefits can be used for this program.

Designers of the program said the classes are intended to “jumpstart” participants’ interest in learning a new foreign language. Students can go on to study on their own or take more formal classes.

Language Jumpstart launched last semester, offering Italian and Spanish. Participants included U.Va. faculty, staff and graduate students. Many said they took the classes as a way to connect with friends and family or to prepare for travel.

The International Center, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, is a division of U.Va.’s International Studies Office. It supports the University’s global education initiatives by providing the University and local community a comfortable space for sharing cultures. The center’s programs and services include social and cultural events, English language programs, meeting and reception space, and short-term lodging.

For information, contact the center’s assistant director, Tanya Reeves at 924-7980.

Media Contact

Jane Kelly

Office of University Communications