Do you want your child to grow up bilingual? Trilingual? Here’s your chance by enrolling her/him now in the International School of Tucson, 1730 N. First Avenue, at the southeast corner of E. Lester Street. Bi-lingual classes in Chinese, French, German, and Spanish are offered to students ages 3 to 9.

“The School’s philosophy and pedagogical approaches encourage students to investigate topics without being restricted by traditional compartmentalisation or methods of instruction, and thus allow the learner to develop global understanding.” This is from their website, www.internationalschooloftucson.com. They also have an international faculty of “native speakers who are also able to transmit their cultures, values, information and beliefs.”

New Zealander Robert Young is the driving force behind this school, started here in Tucson in August 2005. He has a degree in Linguistics and English Lit from the University of Auckland, and a Masters in the “Goverance of Education” from Oxford. Plus he’s done language work all over the world (Argentina, Kenya, England, Austria, etc.)

Having grown up in multi-cultural Hawaii and studying four languages over the years –Spanish, Japanese, German, and Hawaiian (though fluent in none), I am an advocate for knowing another language. Travelling in Europe with my native German husband is easy since he speaks several languages.

Learning a foreign language is a big step towards international globalization, community, and understanding of other cultures. Call the International School now at (520) 406-0552 to enroll your child for the fall semester. Website: www.internationalschooloftucson.org.