Parks, Recreation & Leisure

Parks, Recreation & Leisure / LifeLong Learning & Leisure

LifeLong Learning & Leisure

Spring/Summer 2008 Travel & Language Classes

*The Road Less Traveled: China, Tibet & The Silk Road
with Gene Gilliom, PhD
This class is for people considering traveling to China, those who wish to stir memories of their own travel or armchair travelers who are curious about what life is like in some of China’s more remote, yet fascinating areas. The slide-based presentation focuses on part of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces populated primarily by minority groups and not often visited by Americans. Of special interest are Jiuzhaigou Valley, which features spectacular natural scenery; the ancient small cities of Lijang and Dali; the colorful town of Songpan; Kunming and the nearby fabled Stone Forest; and the famous Panda Reserve at Wolong. We also visit selected stops in Tibet and on the Silk Road. Our journey winds up with a visit to Shenzhen, a booming new city created out of the rice fields of southern China over the past 25 years. This presentation is an informative and entertaining expansion of Gene’s recent talk on China at the Upper Arlington Library.
CLASS #: 442578 A
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM, Tuesday
DATE: April 29
LOCATION: Lower Level Conference Room, UA Municipal Services Center
COST: $19 R / $21 NR

England By The Pound
with Louise Kutz
Fly away with a seasoned traveler and discover some insider tips for touring the wonderful and fabled city of London. Explore peak versus non-peak travel options, including favorable airfares; hotels from grand to budget; and ground transportation options that take advantage of a very user-friendly tube and bus system that can help eliminate pricey cab rides. Plus take advantage of Louise's "Top 10" London must-see recommendations. Discover many ways to maximize your devalued dollar despite the currently pricey pound. Any prospective London visitor will certainly benefit from her suggestions and valuable travel expertise. London is truly special. Experience it firsthand in all its age-old glory.
CLASS #: 442577 A
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM, Wednesday
DATE: April 16
LOCATION: Rm 114, UA High School
COST: $19 R / $21 NR

*Great Palaces of France
with Shawnie Kelley
France is renowned for its sumptuous palaces, with extraordinary architecture, glorious gardens, and rich and racy pasts. Using images from her research, travel writer and historian, Shawnie Kelley illustrates the architectural and historical highlights of six of France’s great palaces – beginning in Paris with the Louvre, which started life not as a museum, but as a royal residence on the Seine; then moving upriver to the Palace de la Cite, where the Conciergerie now stands. Discussions also include the medieval palace at Poitiers, home to the powerful Dukes of Aquitaine and birthplace of chivalry; Perpignan’s Spanish-influenced Palace of the Kings of Mallorca (c.1276); and Avignon’s monumental Chateauneuf du Pape – the “new castle of the pope” – from where nine popes reigned, beginning in 1309. Class concludes with a visit to Versailles (c. 1664), the colossal palace complex of the Sun King, Louis XIV.
CLASS #: 442581 A
TIME: 6:30-8:30 PM, Thursday
DATE: April 24
LOCATION: Lower Level Conference Room, UA Municipal Services Center
COST: $19 R / $21 NR

*History of the English Castle
with Shawnie Kelley
Castles are considered the quintessential symbol of the Middle Ages, but why and when did they become such a permanent fixture of the English landscape? How were they built? From humble servants to the nobility, what was daily life like for the inhabitants of a castle? Beginning with Iron Age earthworks and Roman fortresses, travel writer and architectural historian, Shawnie Kelley, traces the development of English castles, their distinguishing architectural features, defensive innovations, and evolving social, political and military functions. Her slideshow highlights the Iron Age hillforts of Cadbury and Maiden Castle; Saxon Shore fortresses; and the castles at York, Carlisle, Rochester, Leeds, Ainwick and Warwick. Class concludes with a look at the coastal fortresses of Henry VIII.
CLASS #: 442582 A
TIME: 6:30-8:30 PM, Thursday
DATE: May 22
LOCATION: Lower Level Conference Room, UA Municipal Services Center
COST: $19 R / $21 NR

Beginning Spanish
with Marie Jerencsik, MA, LPC
Tired of saying No Hablo Espanol? Have just dim memories of Buenos Dias? Join us to learn more. The focus of the class is on the development of basic language skills. Weekly handouts are provided with pronunciation exercises, new vocabulary and essential grammar. Small group work further facilitates your building language skills. We also take a field trip to a local restaurant to use the language in a real-world situation. Marie has lived in Spain and, as a certified Spanish teacher, has taught in the public school system. Bring notebook and an English/Spanish dictionary.
CLASS #: 442552 A
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM, Tuesday
DATE: April 15 – June 3, 8 sessions
LOCATION: Rm 102, UA High School
COST: $85 R / $94 NR

Spanish for Travelers and Dabblers
with Chip Flory, MA
Our goal for this class is acquiring basic but natural conversational Spanish for those interested primarily in verbal communication rather than grammar rules and written language. With this in mind, the majority of class time is spent practicing our speaking and listening skills, focusing on specific situations that we might encounter while traveling in a Spanish-speaking country. In addition to the spoken language, we also discuss important cultural points, including helpful do's and don'ts, to give your spoken Spanish an extra level of authenticity. Bring the required text, Conversational Spanish in 7 Days, 2nd Edition (book and 2 CD’s), by Shirley Baldwin and Sarah Boas, ISBN 0071432329 ($16.95), available for order online or at most major bookstores.
CLASS #: 442556 A
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM, Wednesday
DATE: April 16 – May 14, 5 sessions
LOCATION: Rm 103, UA High School
COST: $60 R / $66 NR

Basic Italian
with Gina Patacca, MA
The main focus of this beginning Italian class is developing speaking proficiency, but we also address listening, reading and writing. Teaching methods include lectures, handouts, audiotapes, in-class conversation practice, mini-quizzes and one or two hours of homework each week. We also listen to Italian music, watch a movie with subtitles and enjoy a last class party. Bring notebook, pen and the two required texts, Learn Italian the Fast and Fun Way by Marcel Danesi, ISBN 0764125303 ($19) and Italian Verb Drills by Paola Nanni-Tate, ISBN 0071420894 ($10), available for order online or at most major bookstores.
CLASS #: 442562 A
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM, Tuesday
DATE: April 8 – May 27, 8 sessions
LOCATION: Rm 111, UA High School
COST: $85 R / $94 NR

Italian for Travelers and Dabblers
with Gina Patacca, MA
The goal of this class is to equip the traveler with some knowledge of the basic structure of the Italian language. We provide a guide to pronunciation, introduce a repertoire of words and often-used phrases and share some cultural tips so that typical tourist interactions can be approached with enjoyment and confidence. Teaching methods include lectures, handouts, audiotapes, in-class conversation practice and one to two hours of homework per week. Bring notebook, pen and the two required texts: Rick Steves' Italian Phrase Book & Dictionary, 5th Edition, ISBN 1566915201 ($8) and Learn Italian the Fast and Fun Way by Marcel Danesi, ISBN 0764125303 ($19), available for order online or at most major bookstores.
CLASS #: 442566 A
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM, Wednesday
DATE: April 16 – May 14, 5 sessions
LOCATION: Rm 111, UA High School
COST: $60 R / $66 NR

French for Travelers and Dabblers
with Amy Overmyer, MA
Break through the language barrier and smooth the way on your big trip. This course is designed specifically with the traveler in mind. Learn about hotels, money, shopping, dining and, the oh-so-popular topic, delicious French food. We emphasize pronunciation and practice helpful expressions, as well as investigate French culture, focusing on important do’s and don’ts. Expect to work in groups, watch short videos and listen to recordings of native speakers for comprehension exercise. The $40 required text, Barron’s Learn French the Fast and Fun Way, with CDs for listening practice at home, is included in the registration fee. A bientot!
CLASS #: 442551 A
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM, Monday
DATE: April 14 – May 19, 6 sessions
LOCATION: Rm 108, UA High School
COST: $110 R / $121 NR (includes text & CDs)

* denotes new classes or topics

LifeLong Learning & Leisure Division
Parks & Recreation Department
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone: 614-583-5333
Fax: 614-457-6620
Email: lifelong@uaoh.net
www.ua-ohio.net

Updated 3/08