Beyond Words
Language, culture, travel, and stories from the Speak! community
Spanish Student Spotlight: Jeanna Grimes Ogbar
“Our classes feel like more than language learning but also a cultural exchange. Franco prepared me for a much better trip than I would have had before taking classes.”
Jeanna Grimes, Senior Associate Director of Virtual Philanthropy
ITALIAN STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: ANN LAWRENCE GRASTY
“The things I learned from my instructor, Noemi, simply couldn’t be learned through an app”
Ann Lawrence Grasty, Executive Director, University Annual Giving & Stewardship
Japanese Student Spotlight: Mark
“Learning Japanese feels like expanding my mind—it makes me see the world differently.”
Mark Floryan, Computer Science Professor
Spanish Student Spotlight: Sharice Welch, UVA’s McIntire School
“The individualized attention from Franco in the one-on-one classes is really great; he is able to tailor the classes according to my needs.”
Sharice Welch, UVA McIntire Admissions
Partner Program Spotlight: English for Healthcare
Speak! partnered with UVA’s Pipelines and Pathways Program and Human Resources to support four newly-hired international employees with tailored English language instruction.
ENGLISH STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Pedro Henrique Giacomeli de Almeida
The coaching sessions with Alexis have been incredibly beneficial to my preparation for the Darden MBA program and beyond.
Giacomeli De Almeida, Darden MBA Student
ENGLISH STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: NYDIA
“I really like the flexibility, because being an MBA student during the recruiting season, I don’t have the most predictable schedule.”
Nydia, Darden MBA Student
B-Speak! Coaching Student Spotlight: RIFQI
“I think at the end of the day, if you talk with your coach and you really know what you need, B-Speak! Coaching will provide the session by tailoring your need to achieve results! For me it is a great remedy for my communication skill“
Rifqui Syuja, Darden MBA Student
Student Spotlight: HISTORY PROF. DAVID SINGERMAN - AND HIS BABY DAUGHTER!
“Being conversant in another language opens your view of the world, and I really missed that feeling. I found it such a joy to be immersed in another linguistic world, and my lessons with Paola were the hour I looked forward to most every week.“
David Singerman, Professor of History
Student Spotlight: PHILIP'S GAP YEAR SPANISH JOURNEY
“My pandemic experience has been all-but-consistent, but having daily classes with Alejandra (or even a less intense but still regular schedule in the fall) vastly helped me through this year..“
Philip DiMeglio, Undergraduate
Student Spotlight: EMILY GADEK
“Honestly – I’m often really tired after my lessons! But in a good way, like going to the gym and getting a good work out. You can feel those mental muscles building. The lessons themselves are fun – it feels like getting together with friends.“
Emily Gadek, UVA Religion Lab
Student Spotlight: KATHLEEN BOROWITZ
“Just being able to enter the patient’s room and introduce myself and my role in Spanish makes a huge difference in establishing trust and acceptance.“
Kathleen Borowitz, UVA Health