Passion for Languages Fuels Bruneau Academy
- by Jon Devin, Friday, November 9th, 2007
Ludovic and Katie Jordan Bruneau of the Bruneau Academy. Photo by Jon Devin.
Wie learnt Mann Deutsch oder andere Sprache hier in Amerika, wann Sie diese Kulture night verstanden? (How can you learn German or other languages here in America when you don’t anything about their cultures?)
Ludovic Bruneau and Katie Jordan Bruneau, owners and operators of the Bruneau Academy in Midtown believe that learning a new language is about so much more than “sprechen sie Deutsch?” By learning new languages, they help students explore entire cultures. The global perspective, you might say, is their signature.
Now in their third year of operation, the Bruneaus both report that they are having a lot of fun teaching students to speak new languages. In any given month they may have between 40 to 50 eager students learning French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Arabic, German, Portuguese, or Japanese. While most of the teaching is done individually, students of French and Spanish can also meet in small classes at the Bruneau Academy’s office at 895 S. Cooper in Cooper-Young.
It’s their passion for teaching and learning that makes it all fun.
“It s fun to teach people who are as excited about other cultures and languages as we are,” says Katie, who like her husband, graduated with a master’s degree in Romance languages from the University of Memphis. That’s also where they met.
After both had spent time in Europe teaching English and Ludovic had begun teaching French at White Station High School, the two eagerly hatched a plan to start teaching privately in Memphis.
“Teaching while being in graduate school motivated me to open a business that could adapt to anyone’s purpose for learning a new language,” says Ludovic. “I accumulated a lot of great experience while teaching in graduate school and in other public schools and universities locally and abroad, but I knew that I wanted to create a business that was more personal for each individual that walks through our doors.”
And their students really do get excited. Many need to improve their language skills for work, like one client, a local opera singer who had been trained to sing in French, but really had no idea how the language worked. For him, the Bruneaus provided a greater understanding of his work. Others are preparing for a trip to another country. That’s a strong point for Katie, who has known many to miss the best parts of a country’s culture because they were stuck with other English-speaking tourists, unable to break away on their own and explore.
“Knowing a language when visiting a foreign country allows you to get away from the tourists—even if you know just a little and are really trying, people will be happy to help you out,” she says.
Ludovic, who was born in France, agrees.
“Our classes successfully assist all of our students in reaching their goals as well as in gaining a better understanding of the culture. We want our students’ passion for languages and cultures to continue to grow,” he says.
If you are altogether new to foreign languages, you are in good company. Most of the Bruneaus’ students start as beginners, then lessons become more individualized as they progress. Ludovic stresses that he wants to teach things that are meaningful to students and meet their needs.
“And the lessons are self-paced,” says Katie. “Lots of students like that. If you only have a little time to study, it’s okay.”
In Memphis, people seem to be responding well. After they first opened for business, word seemed to spread quickly by satisfied students telling their friends. A couple well-timed news articles also gave them a push. In spring of 2005, Berliotz, which had the largest hand in foreign language teaching in Memphis closed, creating a void for instruction.
Most Bruneau students are adults, although the couple is willing to work with younger folks as well. In time, they say they have the capacity to double their current number of students, and would like very much to do just that. Also, they hope to implement informal social groups into their offerings so that students can practice what they learn casually among friends.
“I truly enjoy assisting people learning a new language because you can see the growth in each lesson as they learn to communicate in their new language,” says Ludovic. “Each learning experience is different for everyone, and I love seeing the excitement in students as they return from (trips abroad).”
Katie recalls living in France and being able to read both the French newspapers in addition to the American ones online. Needless to say there was quite a difference in perspectives. Seeing both sides is valuable, she says.
“I think you get a whole new insight into a culture by learning the language,” she says.
Helping someone see a new culture, is ultimately what they hope to achieve. Learn more about the Bruneau Academy at www.bruneauacademy.com or call 901-272-0644.