Academy of Foreign Languages

Specialties

Foreign Language Education and Tutoring in: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish.

Test Prep: SAT I and SAT II Foreign Language, Math & English Subject Tests

History

Established in 2006.

You have probably experienced language schools where the classes held seven to 12 students. Unfortunately, we know this doesn’t lead to fluency. Foreign language, as it is taught in our public schools, can be very challenging. With a class of 25+, the student’s surest method to obtain a satisfactory grade is rote memorization. Using this method, they may retain enough vocabulary but any hope of a real conversation is slim. Ultimately, the students tell themselves that learning a foreign language is a talent they do not have. Yes, it takes patience and practice but it can be fun.

At the Academy you are not just filling an empty seat. We must be doing something right; we have children who have been with us since they were babies, progressing every year with confidence. We have many of the adults who started with us when we first opened. This year, we took two groups to Italy on Immersion Tours. Yes, learning can be rewarding and fun.

Meet the Business Owner

Daiana and Lei F.

Business Owner

Daiana is the Director. Born in Italy, she graduated from the Univ. of Pisa where she studied Psycho-​sociology & Linguistics. In addition to Italian, Daiana is fluent in English, French & Spanish with knowledge of Latin & German. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1983 and has trained teachers since ’81. In addition to teaching, Daiana translates and interprets.

Lei «Fiorella» is the President. A native Californian, Lei graduated from Pepperdine Univ. «My passion for foreign languages started when I read about a woman who was an interpreter at the UN. That was what I wanted to be! However, the difficulties I encountered learning Spanish in middle school took my career in another direction. Passions being what they are, I decided to learn Italian and have studied in the U.S. and abroad. Along the way, I made many false starts (books & CDs), hit many speed bumps (large groups) & have experienced the same challenges and frustrations you may have felt.