ROCKLAND — For 32 years, Penobscot Language School has brought the world to Maine by serving as a language and cultural learning resource in the Midcoast area, as well as hosting students from around the world. Classes for as many as eight upcoming languages and cultural events may be tracked on the website www.penobscot.us.

Language Lunches are open to the public, whether or not you are a student at the school, according to a news release. Join fellow language speakers for any one of the brown bag lunches:

Almuerzo: A Spanish lunch, Tuesdays, 12 –1 p.m., with Billy Smith starts February 6.

Pranzo: An Italian lunch, Wednesdays, 12 –1 p.m., with Erika Nessi starts January 24.

Café Français: A French lunch is not yet scheduled.

Spanish classes include:

Primeros sonidos: Spanish for Beginners  with 13 weekly-classes on Mondays, 5 - 6:30 p.m., from February 4 to April 29. New learners will begin with the sounds and one hundred most frequently used words, placing them in phrase and sentence formation.

Subiendo la montaña: Intermediate Spanish will engage learners in practicing what is necessary to leave a beginner’s level and engage firmly and flexibly in the language. Classes will meet Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 a.m., over 13 weeks from January 29 through April 30.

Nivel avanzado: Advanced Spanish, meets on Tuesdays, 5 – 6:30 p.m., during the same 13 weeks from January 29 to April 30, and will engage learners in conversation about varied subjects of interest to them while advancing vocabulary, reading, speaking and structures of the language.

All Spanish classes will be taught by Billy Smith, who annually visits family in Republica Domenica. He will assist students in becoming clear and accurate speakers.

French classes will be taught by Owen Page, an experienced instructor raised in Brittany, France, who shares his love of the French language and culture at all levels.

French for Beginners will introduce the language for everyday interactions with the goal of making the student comfortable at speaking as soon as possible, using basic pronunciation, idioms and easy verb structures. It meets for 12 weeks on Thursdays, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., January 24 through April 11.

Advanced French focuses on polishing speaking skills in a conversation-based class exploring culture and personal interests while engaging personal language objectives. It meets Thursdays, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., also for 12 weeks, January 24 through April 11.

A French cooking and language class will be scheduled with details in the near future.

Why language learning? To prepare for travel, revive rusty language skills, explore the richness of reading literature of other cultures, enjoy speaking from the different perspective of that language, enhance brain health as you build neuronal connections for a language other than your native tongue, and have fun with others in a learning context.

Scholarships are available.

Join a class by calling 207-594-1084 or toll-free 1-855-344-0414; contact by email director@penobscot.us; or visit online at www.penobscot.us.

Penobscot Language School is located at 28 Gay Street, Rockland, ME, 04841.