Meet Our Instructors

Our team includes more than 50 experienced linguists, with instructors based here in Charlottesville and across the U.S. and around the world. Together, they bring language, culture, and real-life experience into every lesson, creating learning that’s personal, engaging, and human.

Christina Ball 8/9/26 Christina Ball 8/9/26

Turkish: Zeynep Gur Smith, M.A.

After graduating and getting her international baccalaureate at the Lycée Saint Joseph d’Izmir in French, she earned her BA degree in Turkish Language and Literature from Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Turkey.

French: Anne Padilla, Cert. FLE

Anne was born and raised in Paris and decided to become a French teacher 10 years ago when she moved with her family to the USA first to Boston and then Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Speak! is about CONNECTION!

Many of our favorite moments happen when teachers and students learn, laugh, and connect beyond the lesson.

A man in camouflage uniform and a woman smiling together indoors.

Two people wearing matching green shirts and smiling indoors.

Two women smiling in front of colorful artwork.

Three people taking a selfie in a restaurant.

Two people smiling on a bench in front of artwork.

Two people taking a selfie above a river and cityscape.

Two women smiling together beside a world map.

Three people smiling in front of colorful artwork.

Two people taking a selfie beside the water.