Course Catalog
Beginning 1
For complete beginners, this course covers foundational basics in the target language as well as skills and techniques for language acquisition. A1.
Beginning 2
Our most popular level, Beginning 2 picks up where Beginning 1 leaves off. Students with a little background in their target language (family who speaks it, rusty high school or college courses years ago, or duolingo-esque self-teaching) tend to place into this level after evaluation. A1-A2.
Beginning 3
This class picks up where Beginning 2 leaves off, adding past tenses and expanding basic vocabulary. Students focus on storytelling, adding details and complexifying their language with connector words. A2.
Intermediate 1
This class focuses heavily on application of grammar concepts and vocabulary covered in our beginning series by means of in-class immersion, reading, listening, and guided discussion. Students shift away from reliance on their native language and learn to use their target language resourcefully. A2-B1.
Intermediate 2
Taught almost exclusively in the target language, this class continues to expand on vocabulary, tense, and complex sentence structures to empower students to participate in a wide range of activities in their language. B1.
Intermediate 3
Taught exclusively in the target language, Intermediate 3 tackles difficult grammar concepts as they pertain to real-world scenarios. Students study authentic texts and videos in their target language and are guided through original composition. Students who complete Intermediate 3 are awarded their fluency pin, which grants unlimited access to conversation drop-ins at Sepia for life. B1-B2.
Advanced 1
Picking up where Intermediate 3 leaves off, this course focuses on advanced vocabulary and language structures as they appear in different contexts. This class works to refine difficult grammar concepts presented in our intermediate series and examine their real-world applications. Advanced 1 requires conversational proficiency in the target language, as it is a full immersion class. B2.
Advanced 2
This class focuses heavily on reading and writing proficiency in the target language by means of literary analysis and creative writing workshops. Students learn to read between the lines, pick up on sarcasm or differences in tone, and manipulate their target language to those ends. Advanced 2 looks at implied meaning, slang, and jargon in the target language, as well as formality and complex topics. It is offered every other term, alternating with Advanced 3, and is designed to be different every term it is offered and repeated as desired. Prerequisite: Advanced 1. B2/C1.
Advanced 3
This class focuses heavily on listening and speaking proficiency in the target language by means of current events, media, and class presentations that synthesize new information acquired with research through authentic sources. Students familiarize themselves with cultural issues in a variety of countries and the historical and political context that informs each. Advanced 3 is offered every other term, alternating with Advanced 2, and it is designed to be different every term it is offered and repeated as desired. Prerequisite: Advanced 1. B2/C1.
Travel
This elective is open to all levels, and focuses on vocabulary and transactional expressions required to travel to a country that speaks the target language. Students learn useful skills for hotel check-ins, ordering at a restaurant, reading signs, shopping, and navigating cultural differences.
Language & Culture
This is a hands-on class that focuses on foods, music, holidays, and other cultural practices relevant to countries that speak the target language. Every class introduces a new aspect of the target language culture with an interactive activity as well as vocabulary that accompanies it. Open to all levels.
Daily
This is a class that focuses on day-to-day interactions in the target language, such as making doctor’s appointments, ordering and sending packages, applying for jobs, signing a lease, or enrolling at a school. It is intended for students with goals of moving to a country that speaks their target language, and is open to students of all levels.
Improper
This class focuses on language as it is spoken “in the streets” as compared to in a textbook. Students focus on slang, common grammar mistakes committed by native speakers, swear words, shorthand, and paraverbal communication. Prerequisite: Beginning 3 or equivalent.
Linguistics
In this class, students gain a basic overview of linguistic concepts that can be applied to the study of any language. Focuses include: the International Phonetic Alphabet, different types of grammar, syntax, morphology (creation of words), phonetics (pronunciation), and linguistic evolution. Prerequisite: none.
Phonetics
This class breaks down the pronunciation of your target language of study. Students learn to produce sounds that are unique to their target language, and are guided through speaking as closely as they are able to a native speaker. Prerequisites: Linguistics & Beginning 2.
Dialects
In this class, students examine the linguistic and phonetic differences in their target language as it is spoken different regions of the world. Prerequisites: Beginning 1.
Medical
This course is designed for medical professionals or individuals who may need to use their target language in medical settings. It is often adapted to the specific needs of the students enrolled, and focuses on medical terminology and cultural considerations with regard to healthcare systems in other countries. Prerequisite: Beginning 3 or equivalent.
Beginning Conversation
This class is open to beginners and is available as a 12-week elective as well as a single-day drop-in. Practice your target language with organic conversation facilitated by an instructor.
Intermediate Conversation
This class is available as a 12-week elective as well as a single-day drop-in and it is designed for intermediate speakers (Beginning 3 and up). Practice your target language with organic conversation facilitated by an instructor.
Youth After School
This is a beginner-friendly course designed for kids to begin learning a new language. It is taught partially in the target language and partially in the native language, and it is designed to prepare students with the skills they need to move into the immersion class.
Youth Immersion
This course is reserved for students with background in their target language, at Sepia or elsewhere. It is a highly interactive, hands-on course that relies on context cues and prior knowledge of the language to learn new things. Students play games, make projects, and converse entirely in their target language with the help of their immersion instructor.
Youth Summer Camp
This is a condensed version of our youth after school classes that is offered 4x/week for 3 weeks during summer break. It is open to beginners, and a great jump-start into learning a new language.