The Chattanooga School of Language celebrated its four-year anniversary this summer with a new address and a new set of interactive language classes for kids and adults.
“We are in a wonderful new space that really supports our mission and gives us the opportunity to continue to grow and expand our services,” said CSL owner Laurie Stevens. “I want to bring as many people as possible through the doors of the language school. I want people of all cultures, languages and backgrounds to see our space as a place for learning, collaborating and building new relationships.”
For the last three years, the language school has operated out of the Hamilton County Business Development Center/INCubator, offering language services to clients ranging from business executives to college and high school students to preschool children. Like many start-up businesses, the language school benefited from being a part of the BDC. However, toward the end of the “incubation” program (typically three years), the language school began its search for a new home. The language school’s new location is 1391 Holmes St., Suite 107 in Chattanooga.
Since its inception in 2011, the language school has grown to offer more than 10 different languages to people of all ages and proficiency levels in the form of group and semi-private classes, private lessons, after-school language programs, kids’ classes, cultural camps, travel preparation, customized tutoring and more. Languages offered include, Spanish, French, German, American Sign Language, Arabic, English as a Second Language, Russian, Portuguese, Mandarin and Japanese.
This September the school opens its new doors to offer a six-week term of group language classes. Times and dates for September’s classes are listed on the school’s website. Students can register online or call 423-802-2040. Classes start the week of Sept. 7. Private and customized classes are created at any time throughout the year.
In addition to group classes, the language school will offer several new classes for the community this fall. A “Spanish for Kids” class will take place on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for children in grades K-2, starting Aug. 27 for four weeks. An Advanced Spanish Conversation class will allow more advanced students to practice speaking and expanding their Spanish vocabulary. The language school is also partnering with Balance Studios to offer classes in art, language and history to homeschool students and preschool-aged children.