Diversity Education

Because of the dramatic increase of the local Latino population, it is very important that everyone become familiar and culturally aware of the emerging communities. Learning Spanish is but one step toward understanding the Latino communities, but learning about cultural issues can prove to be just as valuable. They pertain to traditions, work ethic, values, behavior, consumer habits, faith, family, law and education.

We can provide introductory seminars on-site for a 1-3 hour duration, half or full day, and even on-going seminars. We work with our clients to understand their audience and their needs as well as anticipate their questions and the answers.

Testimonial

"I can't remember being so energized by a conference in years! The agenda was packed full of interesting, practical information that I will be sharing with my colleagues. Not the least of the reasons for the successful forum were its expert facilitators very knowledgeable, delightfully charming and down-to-earth. Thanks for a terrific job!"
Peggy Brandes, Lumina Foundation.

Public-Private Instruction
People of all different ages and backgrounds have completed various levels in our non-accredited public classes. Our graduates include college students, retired grandparents, pairs of friends and spouses, international people, business owners, nurses and many more. Participants become comfortable around each other quickly into the ten-week, 20-hour course in part due to small classes, 10 people or less. Also, L.A.C.A. instructors never take themselves too seriously, often providing some good comic relief! They are very experienced in teaching and guiding the development of others. Our instructors possess extensive knowledge of the Spanish and English languages, grammar and Latino cultures. They use creative techniques and modern, innovative instruction methods like TPR. Yet, public classes aren’t suitable for everyone. This may be the case for those with conflicting schedules or those who need customized lessons and vocabulary, for example people preparing for mission trips, vacations or work-related travel. Private lessons are designed for the needs of the individual student. Lessons are scheduled on a weekly basis at a convenient time and location, and if needed can be re-scheduled due to changing circumstances or events.

Corporate or Worksite Spanish & English Classes
Weekly classes are practical and geared for professionals. Role-play activities are designed for each client to simulate work-related scenarios. Generally, classes are two hours per lesson and twelve weeks in duration. They take place at a convenient time and day for the worksite and instructor. Lessons are open to all ages and class sizes normally range from 5-20 students. Ten to fifteen students is the ideal, ensuring ample contact and a comfortable setting.

Convenient! We work with you to set the training schedule.
Valuable! Cultural awareness creates sales and improves service.
Customized! Lessons include real-world work situations.
Necessary! The Latino population continues to grow in Indianapolis.

Tesimonials "I am now able to speak to them (Latinos) with better Spanish... I am able to assist my Spanish-speaking clients in feeling more accepted and this gains their trust." "…prior to taking Spanish if I came across a Spanish-only speaking tenant/family I would just return later with an interpreter or have an interpreter contact the family. Now I feel much more comfortable and have completed entire inspections without an interpreter in attendance."

Brenda Graves-Croom-President
Brenda Graves-Croom is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Sociology. Mrs. Graves-Croom spent several years in the field of Social Services, working in various community programs. During this time, she also privately consulted with organizations and businesses, conducted research at the university level and independently wrote for papers and journals. She also spent time in the field of marketing and public relations. In 2001, Mrs. Graves-Croom began her own company in Indianapolis, Indiana, called L.A.C.A., Latino Advocacy in Community Affairs. Mrs. Graves-Croom is the President of L.A.C.A., managing client services in language and communication endeavors, especially as they relate to the Latino communities.

Class Description

Beginning Spanish Level 1-This class is designed for anyone who wants to learn some Spanish. The focus of the class is basic language comprehension. The instructor provides a stress-free and fun environment to practice comprehension of the language by the method Total Physical Response (TPR). Students will learn a great deal by the end of the class, but it is only the first step towards achieving fluency. This class is designed to "wet the feet," so to speak, and ease the learner into the Spanish language. It is highly recommended that students continue onto Spanish 2 as well as pursue other means of learning the language if they want to become fluent. This class is 20 hours of instruction, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. Topics covered are the Spanish alphabet , numbers, colors, greetings and salutations, addresses, phone numbers, dates, months, days of the week, expressions of time, seasons, telling time, body parts, members of the family, formal commands, articles, adjective gender and number agreement, the possessive, prepositions, intonation, rhythm, and syllable formation. Approximately 30% of class is only Spanish.

Beginning Spanish Level 2-This class is a continuation of Beginning Spanish Level I. Students should have completed the beginning course or have at least a basic understanding of the Spanish language to enroll. The focus of the class is to move from basic language comprehension to conversation with more advanced techniques in TPR. At this level, students are a little more comfortable speaking the language and begin to do a lot of role-playing and scenarios. Students also work some on the internet in class guided by the instructor. Students complete some worksheets in class as well as play games.

It is highly recommended that students continue to pursue other means of learning the language as well. This class is 20 hours of instruction, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. Topics covered are present tense, present progressive tense, statements, action verbs and conjugation, questions and interrogative pronouns, prepositions, to be - ser or estar, travel vocabulary, reflexive verbs, demonstrative adjectives and pronouns, present tense stem-changing verbs and irregular verbs, gustar-like verbs or indirect object pronoun verbs, in addition to review of Level 1 class. Approximately 30% of class is only Spanish.

Beginning Spanish Level 3- A continuation of Levels 1 and 2 with an emphasis on the simple past tense. Since the indicative past tenses, the preterite and imperfect, are very challenging to students, many worksheets are completed in this class together. Students also work some on the internet in class guided by the instructor. Students also play games. It is highly recommended that students continue to pursue other means of learning the language as well. This class is 20 hours of instruction, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. Topics covered are building vocabulary like adverbs, conjugating verbs in the preterite tense and imperfect tense, learning the numerous irregular verbs and spelling changes in the preterite, understanding the differences between preterite and imperfect, and review of classes 1 & 2. Approximately 50% is only Spanish.

Beginning Spanish Level 4-A continuation of Levels 1-3 with an emphasis on the simple future tense and direct objects/indirect objects.

Students are encouraged to have more discussion in class to improve conversation skills. Students also work some on the internet in class guided by the instructor. Students complete some worksheets in class as well as play games. It is highly recommended that students continue to pursue other means of learning the language as well. This class is 20 hours of instruction, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. Topics covered are building vocabulary with antonyms and holidays, the future tense, direct object pronouns and indirect object pronouns, passive voice and review of classes 1-3. Approximately 60% is only Spanish.

Beginning Spanish Level 5-A continuation of Levels 1-4 with an emphasis on forming simple and compound sentences. Students are encouraged to have more discussion in class to improve conversation skills. Students also work some on the internet in class guided by the instructor. Students complete some worksheets in class as well as play games. It is highly recommended that students continue to pursue other means of learning the language as well. This class is 20 hours of instruction, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. Topics covered are those in classes 1-4, in order to make it all work together. Students learn to form simple and compound sentences, read short stories, listen to Spanish music, as well as watch and discuss a Spanish movie. Approximately 85% is only Spanish. For more information on Total Physical Response, go to www.tpr-world.com. Student Materials: Only need to purchase a language dictionary, binder with page separators and notecards. We recommend the Webster's Concise New World Spanish/English Dictionary (Barnes & Noble). Students can also visit the Publisher website for additional resources. Handouts provided.

Enrollment
Public Spanish classes are offered year-round and correspond with the seasons. All classes are held once a week only, most in the evenings from 6-8pm, Monday-Thursday, for 10 weeks. The winter term is January-March, the spring term is March-May, the summer term is June-August and the fall term is September-November. The enrollment period is always 30-40 days prior to the start of classes and takes place in December, February, May and August. Interested persons can request an email reminder be sent to them announcing the start of each enrollment period throughout the year. Before the enrollment period a tentative schedule of classes is determined, although it must be confirmed during the actual enrollment. This is because we attempt to be as flexible as possible to accommodate any changes in scheduling should the majority of students be available on a different day. As a result, we are able to keep down the number of canceled classes due to poor enrollment to about 1 out of every 20 classes, which is normally once a year. If you wish to participate, please be sure to read all of the attached registration packet, and complete the refund policy form and contact information form, and mail with payment. The deadlines are stated within this packet, including the deadlines for reduced fee payments.