I am thrilled to have recently joined the French Library as the Youth Programs Manager. I am coming to the Department of Education with years of experience in education and a deep passion about the process of second and third language acquisition at all ages. I was drawn to this role because I view childhood and adolescence as formative years that have a long-lasting impact in one’s life. My own experience growing up in a multilingual environment - speaking French, English, and Spanish - has shaped my belief in the transformative power of language learning.
In my new role, I work closely with our dedicated instructors, education team and support staff to provide high-quality educational and cultural programs in French. I am grateful to be part of such as close-knit and passionate team, where collaboration is key to creating an exceptional learning experience for each student. While the pandemic has undoubtedly changed education in many ways, it has certainly not slowed learning chez nous! I see this every day in our virtual classrooms where I am continually impressed with our students’ engagement and progress. Our fully online Spring session will continue to allow our students to access unique lessons, practice their French, connect with their teachers, and interact with peers in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
As we begin transitioning back to in-person classes in our newly renovated Center (more on that soon), my goals in the upcoming months are continuing to support and mentor our teachers, as well as relaunching some of our outreach programs and initiatives. I am also particularly excited to co-lead with Dr. Karnoub (Director of Education), our signature Summer in French Program (SIF), which will return in full swing, and in-person format, this year. Located in the heart of Back Bay, this vibrant program offers children and teens an engaging and immersive environment to begin or continue their French journey while building meaningful connection with peers. Research consistently shows, that successful language learning depends on rich, consistent and continuous exposure. The SIF program serves as an ideal bridge between our regular sessions, reinforcing learning in a fun and impactful way.
As an educator and scholar, I know learning French is both a complex but deeply rewarding journey. Progress is built through consistent support, encouragement, and collaboration between families, instructors, and program leaders. Whether you are a prospective or returning parent, thank you for choosing our Center as the place where your child will learn, grow, and thrive.
I look forward to meeting you, welcoming you back to the Center and sharing the many exciting initiatives ahead!
Sincerely,
Alan Gómez
Youth Programs Manager
Department of Education
Alan Gómez
Manager of Youth Programs, Corporate Outreach & Exams
With over a decade of experience in education, Alan Gómez serves as Manager of Youth Programs, Corporate Outreach, and Exams. He holds an A.M. in French Studies from Brown University and an M.A. in Francophone Studies from CSU, Long Beach, and brings expertise in second language acquisition, foreign language pedagogy, and program development.
Prior to joining the French Library, Alan was a lecturer of French and Spanish at Bryant University where he taught language and culture, critical thinking, and writing and composition. Co-author of the innovative textbook, Juntos: French for Speakers of English and Spanish (2015), his recent scholarly contributions include the chapter Intercomprehension of the Romance Languages in the L3+ Classroom [...] (2020).
