WHAT IS THE LATIN ACADEMY?
A program that will educate younger generations about the complex beauty of Latino heritage and give them a strong sense of belonging, which will in turn create opportunities that can help foster a society of diversity and inclusion.
This workshop-based program for children and young adults reinforces the Spanish language and culture through cooking, music, travel, academics and community activities. And we are super emocionados!
WHY?
Because 50.5 million Americans speak Spanish
Because 2nd and 3rd generations of Latinos can’t talk to their abuelo’s in Spanish.
Because parents can’t just “speak Spanish at home” to teach them an language and culture…it’s not enough.
Because Latino ancestors are something to talk about.
Felicitaciones to Latin Academy’s first graduating class from a 2-week workshop program in Puerto Rico that included grammar instruction, oral presentations, rainforest excursions, horseback riding, surf and mucho más!
LATIN ACADEMY TRIPS - LOS VIAJES
We promote and encourage exploration of Latin American countries, and are excited to begin planning our next venture. In 2022, we spent time in El Yunque (the rainforest) of Puerto Rico and exploring the island and culture. This unforgettable group included kids that also lived in PR.
NEXT ON THE LIST?
MEXICO
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
COLOMBIA
ECUADOR
OUR TEAM
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MAESTRA Y MÚSICA
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MAESTRA Y AVENTURERA
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MÚSICO
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COCINERA AUTENTICA
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PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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CHEF
JOIN OUR SUMMER CAMP
Registration CLOSED
Our summer camp was a great success. Stay tuned for what’s next. Follow us on Instagram
OUR APPROACH
This is not just a Spanish class. This is full immersion program into Latin culture with a loving community… a more robust approach to providing Spanish cultural education that goes beyond language instruction, as well as catering to children who already possess a fundamental understanding of their heritage (i.e. children who speak Spanish at home and travel periodically to their native country.)
PROGRAM OFFERINGS
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LANGUAGE & GRAMMATICS
Teaching basic and intermediate level Spanish vocabulary and conversation skills through games, movement, dance, puppetry and LIVE music with bilingual teachers.
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CULTURE
Introducing Latin American culture and tradition with exploratory learning methods using maps, video, art and food. We touch on the following Latin American cultural themes: Music and Dance * Art, History & Heritage * Food & Agriculture * Ecosystem & Wildlife * Beliefs and Traditions * Latin America Today * Politics & Economics*
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EDUCATION & PRESENTATION
Encouraging children to learn more about Latin roots by producing and presenting a HERITAGE PROJECT on graduation day. The project is presented to our parents, friends and staff community and students work on this every session.
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EXPLORATORY LEARNING
Learning through exploration is our method to getting our members to connect to lesson. Trips to the supermercado, cooking dishes from Spanish language recipes, going on a tour to a museo or barrio….that’s fun learning.
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GASTRONOMY
Food is love…Food is Identity…Food is ahie part of Latin Academy’s education and critical in cultural exploration. We share meals and learn the recipes of our ancestors.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
My name is Melissa Aguilera-Rober and I’m the Executive President of The Latin Academy. My BA in Corporate Communication, and minor in Latin American & Caribbean Studies helped foster my growing curiosity about the Latino markets in the USA. Throughout the years I have been an active participant in Latin advocacy groups such as Latina Executives Magazine, Migente, Proud2BeLatina, LatinaSurge, and the National Association of Hispanics as a writer, presenter, event coordinator and creative consultant.
Since retiring from my Digital Marketing career and becoming a mother to my two daughters, I’ve learned more about the lack of Spanish education and support available to children. I’ve conducted workshops for children for 2 years, and currently provide Spanish education and instruction to small groups of children periodically. I am a native New Yorker, second generation Latina from Puerto Rico and married to a first generation Argentinian.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to immerse younger generations with cultural awareness from Latin America through programming, education and empowerment .
Why? Because we believe that children that can fully embrace other cultures, especially when it is their heritage, have a better chance to succeed in adapting a healthy attitude about who they are and the world around them.
LATINOS IS THE USA
Although there are more than 2 million Latinos living in New York City, the grand majority of the cultural/language learning programs available to children are for Hebrew, Chinese, Greek, Islamic and Indian. Courses in Spanish are available... but they do not provide the cultural experience or information that would challenge many children of Latino descent.
Programs for children that teach Latino heritage are scarce and unavailable.
Latinos living in the USA rarely speak both Spanish and English fluently. And although most Latino immigrants assimilate to American culture, it is evident that there is a desire to maintain constant connection to their Latino heritage and native roots. However, the birth of every generation creates a larger gap between Latino and American cultures; the cultural identity is blurred and Latin roots tend to fade. Languages and traditions become a textbook reference and folk tale.