2023: CRLC Year in Review
We are grateful for another year of language programs!
We marked a major milestone in 2023, celebrating our 20th year! From just two Spanish classes a week to more than 50 classes in 13 languages, taught by a team of 30 teachers, both online and in-person, we're proud to be the region's largest language school!
CRLC Celebrates 20 Years
Check out more photos from our anniversary celebration at The Linda in Albany.
Kim Andersen’s Language Teaching Journey
Read an interview with our founder, Kim Andersen, about why she decided to start a language school 20 years ago and how she kept classes going during COVID.
Testimonial
Tarah Lobdell
Assistant Community Manager
Summit Senior Life
CRLC has run various language classes including French and ASL for residents of Summit Senior Life.
“Our residents have nothing but positive feedback about Capital Region Language Center’s classes. They love the teachers, class material and tell us they don’t want the classes to end!
At Summit Senior Life, we provide a variety of activities to ensure our residents continue learning. We are proud to partner with a local language school, where teachers take the time to customize classes to keep our residents’ minds active while having fun!”
School Updates
During the past year, we grew our team and added new language learning opportunities.Teachers who joined CRLC:
Anna
Sherez
Sabra
Qin
Yoko
Jiwan
Aida – Albanian and German
Lali
We welcomed several wonderful teachers to the team, which allowed us to bring back some languages and add new ones!
Languages added:
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Catalan
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Albanian
Languages either returning or once again available in-person:
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Japanese
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French
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German
We are grateful for those that joined in the last year and those that have been with us for multiple years!
Office Updates
Student Success Coordinator
Sha-Netta joined us and took on the role of Student Success Coordinator. She works hard to help students find the right language learning solution for them, and keep things organized at the school. She is warm and welcoming, and makes sure everybody has what they need!
Communications Coordinator
Sarah transitioned out of an administrative assistant role, and now creates content for marketing and social media for CRLC. She is working to tell the story of Capital Region Language Center and help even more students to discover the language programs.
Testimonial
Michael K. Woods
Director
CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York
“We began partnering with Capital Region Language Center this year to provide free professional learning across New York State for Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers, administrators, and staff. We have received positive feedback from our participants for the quality, relevance and convenience of their online and in-person presentations.
CRLC is helping us fulfill our mission of providing high-quality career and technical education professional development through the CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York and their CTE professionals.”
How Language Training Can Improve Your Bottom Line
Growing Professional development and DEI program
Albany Business Review
Read Kim’s recent profile in the Albany Business Review where she explains why language proficiency is an equity issue – and how Capital Region Language Center and Empire State English are helping support the region’s evolving high-tech sector.
Testimonial
Clarke Foley
VP & Director of Operations
Wolfjaw Studios, Troy, NY
“In my previous role at PUBG Corporation MadGlory, CRLC provided Korean language instruction for my team. Before we began, they listened to our needs, asked excellent questions, and created a customized program. A Korean-born teacher met with us at a convenient time for our team each week, over the course of several months.
We saw the biggest benefit when we learned we would host a group of co-workers from Korea in Saratoga Springs and then travel to Seoul, South Korea to continue in-person collaboration on important projects. Our instructor fully prepared us in proper business culture and customs. Everything from introductions and greeting with our foreign co-workers, to discussing on-going and future projects, to ordering from a menu in a restaurant, to talking about our personal interests, was taught and practiced.
Language programs in apps or online never would have delivered the same result as the in-person lessons.”
Youth Programs
We love to introduce children to language learning early! We believe in the power of learning new language skills from a young age.
Make the LEAP!
We offered our first Language Enrichment and Arts Program (LEAP!) since Covid! Stevens Elementary School in Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District welcomed us back to teach Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean. LEAP! Is available this Spring. Contact us to learn more.
How American Sign Language Improves Communication Delays from Covid
Many young children struggle with speech delays caused by the pandemic. Wearing masks and staying isolated kept them safe, but prevented them from watching adult mouths form words and sounds. This year, we began providing early childhood teachers with special American Sign Language classes. Meeting online, we teach key signs to improve classroom communication. Check out the Times Union story about our work with Head Start in Cambridge.
Community Events
It's wonderful when language and culture brings people together. We hope to participate and host even more events in 2024!
Lunar New Year
More than a billion people around the world celebrated 2023 as the “Year of the Rabbit” — including us! Our Korean teachers organized a Korean Lunar New Year celebration where students were invited to try traditional foods, play games and even try on authentic clothing. We love hosting cultural events for our students and look forward to more in 2024!
Click the arrows on the image to see more photos.
Festival of Nations
The Festival of Nations is a wonderful celebration of the colors, sounds, and foods of cultures from around the world. We set up a table for Capital Region Language Center and Empire State English to talk about language learning opportunities at both schools. We love being part of this international event in Albany.
Click the arrows on the image to see more photos.
Student & Teacher Stories
Never Too Old to Go Back to School: CRLC Offers Senior Language Learning Programs
At age 87, Thea, a student at Capital Region Language Center (CRLC), is proof you’re never too old to go back to school. She started last winter when her independent senior living center partnered with CRLC to offer a weekly, on-site French class as part of the senior...
CRLC Student Returns to Morocco to Help Her Village After Earthquake
Student Feature! CRLC Language Student Releases Original Play
Lydia studied German with our instructor Evelin in 2020. She is now about to premiere a play that she wrote titled Adele in Berlin. The play tells the story of her father's biological mother who was captured in 1945 by the Red Army and eventually made her way back to...
International Travel Tips from our Teachers & Staff
Our language instructors and staff who are from or have lived in other countries, share their best international travel tips.
Here's to Many More!
We are so grateful to everyone that worked, partnered, and studied with us this past year. We cannot wait to see what connections we will make in 2024 and in the years to come.
info@crlcalbany.org
Phone
(518) 729-5407
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Address
21 Aviation Rd.
Albany (off Wolf Rd., Colonie), NY 12205