There are many benefits to learning a foreign language, such as boosting brain power, enhanced memory, and even stalling the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. A 2012 study by Swedish and German researchers shows that the language centers of the brain actually grow as a result of learning a second language. And being bilingual can improve your decision-making abilities, according to a 2017 study from the University of Chicago.
The Tucson Jewish Community Center will offers a variety of language classes this fall.
On Thursdays, Sara Golan Mussman teaches beginner Hebrew classes from 2-3 p.m. and advanced Hebrew from 3-4 p.m. An Israeli native, Mussman is a longtime Tucson resident. Each six-session course is $60 for Tucson J members, $70 for nonmembers. Contact the welcome desk at 299-3000 in August for fall class dates.
Theresa Levy, Ph.D., will offer “Lets Speak Italiano,” a beginner’s class, Tuesdays, Sept. 25-Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m. Levy has more than 25 years of experience teaching Italian privately, as well as for nine years at the University of Arizona and at Pima Community College since 2009. The course is $65 for members, $70 for nonmembers.
French speakers can hone their skills with Intermediate Conversational French, held Wednesdays, Sept. 26-Oct. 31, 6-7:30 p.m., led by Liz Guillen. Topics discussed will include tourism, cooking, world news, and personal travel experiences, and class members may bring articles or documents in French to supplement the class handouts. The $165 course fee includes membership in the Alliance Française de Tucson.
Spanish classes for the fall are abundante, including Introduction to Spanish, Beginners 1, Basic Conversational Spanish (for advanced beginners), Low-Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate, Club del Libro, Conversacion, and Conversación Práctica y español avanzado.
See www.tucsonjcc.org/programs/arts/adults/language-classes for complete class descriptions and registration, or call 299-3000.
