HISTORY:

Hola La was founded in September 2005, when two sisters, Teresa Burke and Colleen Staszak, shared ideas as well as common interests to produce a Spanish program that would be as fun for children as for their caregivers!

After a short pilot program, Hola La was quickly formed with an offering of 2 classes in NY and 2 classes in Boston. Because of tremendous interest in and growth of Spanish language opportunities everywhere, Hola La is proud to offer 25 designated classes in NY & MA at the present time. We continue to add to a growing list of preschools, daycare centers, after-school programs and the like.

We thank our many Hola La families and institutions who have provided us the opportunity of teaching their children, as well as given their invaluable feedback in helping to make Hola La the fun and multi-faceted (but still research-based!) program what it is today.

HOLA LA FORMULA:

In summary, children learn best when they are having fun. At young ages, children like practical jokes, physical movement, music and social interaction, among other things! Hola La incorporates all of this into their research-based curriculum, and it is a formula that works! Puppet shows are entertaining, children sing and dance together, and stories and "adventures" encourage imagination and "silliness".

PHILOSOPHY:

Aside from research promoting the many benefits of early language learning, Hola La feels that children are innately curious, fun, adaptable and smart! Hola La encourages children's natural tendencies and abilities so that Spanish is a memorable addition to their regular playtime and school time. Before they know it, they are hearing, understanding and speaking Spanish. It is rewarding for parents, caregivers, educators and Hola La to witness the ease with which children adopt vocabulary, phrases, sentences, chants and songs while having so much fun doing it.

TEACHING STYLE:

Just as children learn to crawl, walk and say first words using different learning styles and timeframes, they learn 2nd languages the same way. Over time, using repetition, various mediums (stories, games, songs, imaginative adventures, etc.), patience and providing exposure whenever possible, children will also learn Spanish. Hola La uses a "spiraled thematic approach" in its curriculum in which each new class builds upon content previously introduced.

HOLA LA TEACHERS:

Hola La is proud to work with some of the best and brightest teachers in the Greater Capital Region of NY and Greater Boston area of MA. We know this because not only do they receive significant training prior to and during Hola La sessions, but they are evaluated by many Hola La families following each session. Our teachers love Spanish language and culture, love children, and each contributes his/her particular style to our program. We expect a great deal from our teachers, and we are so fortunate to work with such a dedicated, fun and talented group. If you would like to join us, please let us know!

HOLA LA FOUNDERS:

Teresa worked for six years as a bilingual education (Spanish and English) teacher in the Greater Boston area. She has an M.A. in International Development with a focus on education from The American University in Washington, DC and a M.A. in Applied Linguistics from UMASS Boston. Teresa studied in Granada, Spain during college and worked as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher for two years in Madrid, Spain. Teresa's education, hands-on experience in teaching as well as her work with NGOs in Latin America, have been invaluable in creating a curriculum that we are very excited to teach. Teresa is married with two children and resides in the Greater Boston area.

Colleen was licensed with the NASD and spent 11 years in the financial services industry, most recently as Regional Vice President for one of Fidelity Investments' institutional companies in Boston. Colleen studied Spanish and Economics at the University of Vermont, and also spent a semester in Granada, Spain during college. Colleen also has a musical background in violin, piano, and voice. Colleen uses her musical background to help create the music for Hola La's curriculum, and continues to use her business background to aid in the operation of Hola La, LLC. Colleen is married with two children and currently resides in the Northern Virginia area.