Our Warmest Congratulations to Swarna from each and every one of us! Very proud of you. Félicitations!I began learning languages with Aux Trois Pommes when I was four years old. I remember being over the moon to go to French class on Saturdays: my classmates and I would make paper hats, cards for holidays, and snacks while immersed in French. My teachers were always kind, generous, and patient. I enjoyed French classes so much that over the following years, I took Aux Trois Pommes classes in other languages: Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic. With hard work and lots of help from my thoughtful, generous, intelligent, and deeply caring teachers, I was able to gain high proficiency in these languages.
My current French teacher, Marie Jose, is one of my biggest supporters. In class with her, I’ve transitioned to reading classical French novels, reading newspapers, and discussing current events. She inspired me to take a State Department gap year in Morocco. There, prepared by readings with Marie José, I learned about Moroccan culture. I also studied and became well versed in Darija, or Moroccan Arabic, which has some Amazeigh grammar structures and influences from both French and Spanish. I’m so lucky to have been able to explore this language using skills build with Aux Trois Pommes!
Now that I’ve returned from my year abroad, I am excited to continue studying languages at Yale this fall. I am so grateful to Aux Trois Pommes for providing me with a foundation to not only learn languages, but also to explore the world with open eyes and an open mind.
Congratulations Suthi!!!! We are so proud of you!!!!
” I have studied French at Aux Trois Pommes since I was four. Now, at age seventeen, I am still amazed by how much I have learned. Every week, I meet one-on-one with my teacher, Marie-Jose, to read literature, pore over a newspaper, review grammar, and chat. Class has been fully immersion ever since I began. What I love so much about my French classes is that I’m not just studying French: I also learn about current events, culture, philosophy, and history. On top of that, Marie-Jose has been such a supportive figure in my life as I have grown up. Beyond French, I also study Arabic at Aux Trois Pommes, as well as Mandarin at school and Spanish informally – a testimonial to my interest in studying languages that I first developed at Aux Trois Pommes.
This fall, I look forward to attending Princeton University, where I hope to continue my French education. While I plan on majoring in engineering, I could not be more grateful for the education Aux Trois Pommes has provided me: it enabled me to think critically, analytically, and deductively, and it will enable me to fulfill my dream of pursuing internships and eventually working abroad. Thank you to everyone here who has helped shape me and my development-you all will hold a special place in my heart! Suthi.”
PARENTS:
It is amazing to see how much my children have accomplished at Aux 3 Pommes! My two children started taking French at Aux 3 Pommes when they were three years old. Now ages 11 and 13, they are both speaking, reading, and writing in French at a very high level. I would recommend Aux 3 Pommes to anyone who is interested in foreign languages because I have been so impressed with the school’s offerings, level of customer service, and most importantly, with what my own children have accomplished through the school’s program. I know that the future my children can expect to enjoy is so much better because of all they have experienced Aux 3 Pommes, and no words can ever capture my sense of gratitude.
While the focus of the school is clearly language acquisition, the classes are structured in such a way that the children also develop their social and interaction skills. In addition, they are exposed through the target language to elements of music, poetry, history, culture, mathematics, reading and writing, and arts and crafts, providing them with an ideal interdisciplinary educational experience.
-Sheryl Culotta
ADULTS:
In our ever shrinking world, Aux Trois Pommes offers the opportunity to become a world citizen. Learning a new language or finding your skills in one you have studied in the past becomes a possibility for adult study. In my almost 2 years of studying French, I have honed my French skills with conversation, literature and laughter. Our small immersion class has become the highlight of my week!
-Sandy Brand
I have been involved in the adult french class at Aux Trois Pommes for almost two years now and am thrilled with the program and our teacher. The class is conducted entirely in French. It’s a wonderful total immersion experience, which is the only way to learn a foreign language. We learn French as well as French culture in a warm and supportive environment. All of us have become great friends, and I would never miss a class!
-Karen Schneider
I have taken a number of French courses during my life, but nothing like the French course taught at Aux Trois Pommes. Living in New York City part of the year, I thought that I could find the best of anything there. But my French course at Aux Trois Pommes has been the best. There is no English spoken and classes differ week to week to keep everyone interested. We write, read, play games, make presentations, eat lunch, go shopping, and generally have a lot of fun while learning French. There is never a reason to feel intimidated or embarrassed. Marie-Jose is an upbeat, patient person and a very fine teacher. I honestly hope to be taking this course forever.
-Michalah Bracken
Learning a new language has ALWAYS been a dream of mine. And with the help Aux 3 Pommes and Sabrina, they helped my dream become a reality. The school and Sabrina were very accommodating around my schedule. My lessons were set up to give me as much info as I thought I could handle each week. I never felt pressured to learn. I always left class feeling so empowered and so proud of myself for the things I had/have learned. The only thing I wish was different was…I wish my classes with Sabrina could have been EVERYDAY! She was a joyous teacher to have. I’ll never forget her opening my eyes and brain to the beautiful French language.
-K.cox
Field Schools
Four A3P instructors from three language programs came to work with our kindergarten students as part of a unit on winter holidays in different religions, cultures, and parts of the world. Each activity included a short presentation about the holidays in Japan, France, and Italy, a craft, and a healthy amount of instruction in the local languages – and all three activities were huge successes.
The Kindergarten teachers and I so appreciate the instructors’ work in preparing and executing lessons that truly expanded our students’ perspectives. They gave our students the sort of experience that they won’t soon forget, leaving them with a curiosity about the world that goes beyond just the single day of instruction. The one day of partnership was designed as a taste, but it left us all hungry for more.
-Sam Purdy, Associate Director of Expeditions, Team Greenfield at Achievement First