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.

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!”

Teachers who joined CRLC:

We welcomed several wonderful teachers to the team, which allowed us to bring back some languages and add new ones!

Languages added:

• Catalan

• Albanian

Languages either returning or once again available in-person:

• Japanese

• French

• 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!

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.”

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.”

We love to introduce children to language learning early! We believe in the power of learning new language skills from a young age.

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.

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.

CRLC Student Returns to Morocco to Help Her Village After Earthquake