- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Boston Center For Adult Education
Rating Details »
Category: Adult Education [Edit]
122 Arlington St(between Winchester St & Isabella St)
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4430
- Nearest Transit:
-
Arlington (Green)
Ne Medical Center (Orange, Silver)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
12 reviews for Boston Center For Adult Education
WARNING: This review comes with a Spoiler at the end. Marked with an *
So last year I tried to take a French I class at the BCAE (old location). People were nice. Teacher was nice. But OH MY GOD WAS IT BORING! It was worse than high school (cuz at least there my teacher was drunk sometimes and,like, entertaining). We did basic exercises from the book and when I asked if we were going to be speaking, which to me is the useful part of learning a language, she said "No, that's for Level II." So I dumped it after two classes, but the Nice Administrative People (NAP) let me roll over the $ I didn't spend as credit.
A year passes and the BCAE moves into this state o' the art building not far from Arlington green line station, and it's a really nice building, but strangely has no water fountains. I get an email from the NAP telling me that it's time for me to use or lose my credit. So I look at the extensive, brightly colored, catalog and decide that the Singing Workshop fits my schedule.
Despite my glory on the karaoke mic, I am terrified to sing in front of people in any kind of serious, non drunk, audience over the age of 6 way. And now I am, if not cured, able to sing a medly of Carole King songs to the 10 people who took the class with me.
The teacher, Jane is AMAZING. She has 30 years of experience of basically being incredibly nice to people and making them feel fine about their (terrible) voices. It's this uberpositive, feel-good space, and you have piano accompaniment and nobody judges you (except yourself, but in the presence of Jane even my inner judge felt thinner and clear-skinned and light and frothy).
The class was a mix of people, the age range was like late 20's/ early 30's and then jumped to 70something, and I'm not gonna lie when I say part of what I learned was to look at my feet and breathe so I didn't succumb to one of my classic giggle fits when 89 year old falsetto man did his thing. But now I feel a little bit better about my voice and if I ever get enough $ for a class again might try another.
***************************SPOILER: SKIP THIS SECTION IF YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THIS CLASS AND LIKE SURPRISES****************
A secret that I hope doesn't scare you away: you have to get up and sing by yourself the very first class! Ack! There is not too much pressure, and you can bow out if you feel super wussy, but oooh, it's scary, and, for the adrenaline head rush you get, worth it.
I have only taken one class here. This is the only reason that I am trying to avoid jumping to conclusions and giving it only 1 star. However, I took the World of Chocolate Class. Here is the course description:
"The most elegant and tantalizing chocolate desserts are all the more decadent when prepared with high quality chocolate and cocoa. Work with some of the finest chocolates and cocoas in the world as you prepare delicious chocolate desserts. The menu may include chocolate creme brulee, chocolate souffles, chocolate mousse, and chocolate cheesecake or molten lava cake."
My intention was to learn about different types of chocolate to enhance my recipes. I also wanted to learn about using chocolate in different forms.
The instructor did nothing more than have us follow recipes that used chocolate. Only one kind of chocolate was used for all of the recipes, and the instructor couldn't talk about why this chocolate was so great except that he really liked it.
I tried to ask questions about using different forms of chocolate, and the most he could tell me was that different kinds of chocolate have different sugar contents. He couldn't even point me in the right direction when I asked where I could learn more about different kinds of chocolate.
I admit that it was fun to bake in such a nice kitchen. But I never would have paid $54 just to follow a recipe.
I am going to be a voice-over artist and according to my instructor, possibly in voice mail systems. "Press 1 to hear your choices!" Or, if things take an awesome turn I will live out my dream to do cartoon voices or phone sex. Hooray! So keep your ears open for me.
I recently took a class at BCAE in how to get into voice-over work. It was a great class, very informative and worth the $50 price tag. It was super easy to sign up for on the http://bcae.org website. They offer tons of classes in a variety of fields. I think I was looking for a chocolate class and then I found the voice over one. Yippee!
The building that houses the classes is lovely and ornate and conveniently located in the Back Bay. The actual room my class was in looked like a study with many old books on the shelves. It was set up a little weird with three plastic fold out tables. One was quite askew such that you couldn't really sit at it. Also there was an air conditioner cranking away in the window, which made it a little hard to hear some of the low talkers.
It was a super hot day so the rest of the building was quite warm. When I took a trip to the ladies room I noticed a distinct smell permeating the upstairs. Eww gross, not that. It smelled as though a tray of fruit and assorted cheeses had been left out in the heat. Rotting canteloupe and soggy crackers filled my nose. Oh, the bathroom was a bit dirty too.
The only actual BCAE staff member I saw was a woman who sat in the lobby area. I asked her where my class was and for directions to the ladies. Both times she pointed me in the right direction, but without a smile or any sort of anything.
Aside from the minor unpleasantries, I am very glad I took this class. The class itself was super. BCAE has tons of offerings with convenient times. My class was a one time seminar but they also have classes that meet over several weeks. Whatever your pleasure. The prices are affordable and it is easy to sign up.
I need to do more adult things. Teach me!
I took a French Bistro Cooking class over the last two Monday nights. There was some good, and there was some bad. And there was a LOT of bacon.
First, I love love love the space. The converted house is amazing and I would love to come here everyday and learn languages and salsa dancing and all kinds of delicious food making. It has the old school Boston flavor that I love so much. One day, Comm Ave - you WILL be mine.
Moving on.
The cooking class was a lot of fun. I was a little disappointed. (Disclaimer: I am about to utter the most hated words on Boston Yelp). When I was in New York, I took a mocha class where we each had our own stations and made our own food and took it all home. Here it was one big kitchen and the teacher pretty much did the work. If chopping or sauteing needed to be done, someone would do that, but she ran the main ring. And then we all had a small serving of everything we made. It was kind of like an interactive cooking show. Nice, but I would have loved a room with 15 stoves and oven burners. Ah well. It was also only $65, so you get what you paid for.
The food was amazing. The teacher def knew her stuff. Some of the recipes I had already made (which made me feel smart) and the rest was really enlightening.
I would take another class here in a heartbeat. It is near work and the T (right at Arlington and Comm Ave), there are a ton of classes from which to choose. I lean towards cooking, but they have everything under the sun.
If you want to meet some people and learn some skills (no, not the bowstaff variety) check out the catalogue. See you in class!
oh - just a quick add. as soon as the chef noticed that i didn't eat anything with bacon, she started making some bacon free dishes so i could partake, i thought that was incredibly nice, since she certainly did not have to do that. snaps to considerate teachers!
Last year, soon after graduation, I suddenly had the harrowing realization that, being both 21 and a college graduate with a real job, I was all out of excuses. I was an adult.
I wasn't really sure what to do about this. I didn't know much about being an adult. I didn't really eat vegetables, or clean the house, or take out mortgages or whatever it is adults do.
So I checked out the Center for Adult Education.
They were not offering classes in how to be an adult. Nor did they mean adult in THAT sense. But they did offer classes about numerous topics that I would imagine are of interest to adults. Some of them were interesting to fake adults like me as well.
I really wanted to learn more about being an adult. But after considering more tame subjects like cooking or yoga or writing (they really do have classes in, like, everything), immaturity got the best of me. I decided to combine learning with booze and registered for a wine tasting class.
The registration process was easy and the cost reasonably affordable, even for a fake adult like me.
My class was far more fun than I expected adult stuff to be. I learned tons about wine -- how to taste it, how climate and geography affect the grapes, how types of wine are made, and what wines I like and don't like. I also managed to get lit every Tuesday afternoon, since we got to try about 11 wines per class and I am a rather cheap date. In fact, most everyone in the class got a little giddy, including the teacher.
I did not learn much from my wine tasting class about generally being an adult. I still get a little nervous around vegetables and stuff. But I figure as long as adulthood does not preclude drinking on Tuesdays, I can get used to it.
I love BCAE!
It makes me sad that they're moving from the Gamble Mansion on Comm Ave it is part of the charm of all the classes that I have taken there. I enjoyed exploring a new classroom in the beautiful building.
My husband and I took the MA Real Estate Salesperson's Course here. Neither of us became realtors after taking the class, even though that was the original intent, but we looked forward to the class every week. The instructor, Norman O'Grady, was hilarious and very smart. We may not be realtors but next time we go to buy property we will be well educated!
I also took the Stress-Free Weekday Meals course with a friend. It was such a great way to spend the night. We got to eat a lot of food, enjoy wine and got some great new recipes.
The best Christmas that I ever received was a gift certificate for two classes at the BCAE. Now the challenge is figuring out what course I'm going to take next!
Learning is a lifelong process. Boston Center for Adult Education helps you on your journey! I have taken a Cape Verdean Creole class, Spanish class and a swimming class through the BCAE. There is a great selection of classes and they are reasonably priced. Add this to your bucket list, take a class though the Boston Center for Adult Education.
If you're looking to learn something new in a social setting on a Friday night, you can look beyond the MFA and Museum of Science options, both of which my friends fondly refer to as meet markets. A more relaxed approach may be to try one of the Friday night classes at the BCAE.
I can vouch for the Friday Night Wine Tasting. If you hope to become thoroughly educated on wine, this is not the class for you. But if you want to learn some tips from a knowledgable instructor and share a few bottles of great wine with new acquaintances, you'll really enjoy this event.
Plus, if you sign up for one of the Friday night classes, you'll be invited to the BCAE's complimentary cocktail reception, held from 5:30-7:00 every Friday in its beautiful building near the Public Garden. Not sure I needed a glass of wine before taking a wine tasting class, but I really needed the snacks!
While I was there I realized some other people were taking a science class. I immediately thought chemistry and couldn't imagine who would want to do that on a Friday night, but it was actually a class called Ghost Science: Behind the Scenes of a Paranormal Investigation. (I think I know what I'm taking next time.) You'll want to check the schedule to see what classes are offered each week, but some others last night included choreographing your wedding, Indian cooking and shiatsu massage.
The prices are reasonable, the building is beautiful inside, the teachers I've had have all been great and the class sizes are small.
I love the BCAE. It is one of my favorite things to do. I've taken four cooking classes here (try and detect a pattern): Pasta Sauces I, Pasta Sauces II, Rustic Italian, and Tapas. Unfortunately there is not yet a Pasta Sauces 3. I keep telling myself that maybe next time I will take something besides cooking, like a language, dance class or pottery or something, but the cooking classes are so much fun that I never do. Maybe next time.
Classes That You Are Unlikely To See In BCAE's Catalog:
WHAT'S FOR DINNER? ENDANGERED SPECIES!
In our desperate attempt to fight the natural selection of mother nature (and inevitable destruction by mankind), we've lost the knowledge of generations' past for preparing some truly delectable meals! Did you know that African Elephants taste like chicken while Blue Whale has a distinct flavor somewhere between beef and pork? Or that the Florida Cougar can only be eaten in small amounts because of the toxic mercury content in their meat? Students will learn the basics of skinning animals like Tigers and Alligators, how to best season and prepare the meat of Pandas (sautee in butter with a little cilantro!) and Rhinoceros (BBQ!), and what best accompanies a dish like Grilled Whooping Crane (potatoes au gratin) or Fried Siberian Sturgeon (its own eyeballs, fried). Time permitting, we will also cover the theory in how to prepare and serve dodo, including which wines best accompany the meal!
ZOMBIE ATTACKS, ADVANCED COURSE
Students are taken beyond the basics of zombie lore and survival tactics to learn how to aggressively attack and destroy the zombie hordes that are descending upon us! We will cover the basics of using flamethrowers safely, a variety of guns and knives, and how to calmly establish - in a life or death situation - whether your loved one has become one of them. We will also discuss strategies for creating and maintaining a stronghold against the undead army, including how to fortify the location, govern the survivors, ration your food and weapons, and determine who can (and should) be sacrificed for the greater good. Students are encouraged to have survived the Beginners' course at least once, preferably twice.
TOXIC WASTE AND LANDFILLS! A WALKING TOUR.
Thirty years ago, the residents of Love Canal discovered their peaceful little Boston suburbia was built over several tons of chemical waste, the ghosts of which plague current and former residents to this day. Boston's colorful industrial history has ensured that if you look hard enough, you can find waste anywhere in this area! Our historical tour will begin with the layers of PCBs at the bottom of the Charles and work its way out to Woburn, MA! Bring a bag lunch, face mask, and a geiger counter, if you have one. Please also wear sensible walking shoes - we've got a lot of ground to cover!
FRIDAY NIGHT - LET'S TASTE ALCOHOL!
Can't tell the difference between a glass of Chablis and a shot of whiskey? (Or don't need to?) Not sure what to mix them with, and whether it's appropriate to mix them at all? Want an excuse to hang out with a bunch of other drunk 20- and 30-somethings and maybe score a date (or more)? Come join us as we explore the wonderful world of alcohol: the variety, the sights, the smells, the tastes, and most importantly, their impact on us! The tuition includes a materials fee for our bar. Please bring enough for cab fare home!
LEARN TO FINGERPAINT
Join us in this supportive, learning environment! We'll join the ranks of 2 year olds everywhere as we learn, first, how to paint on every surface in the house and then not to wash our hands before eating dinner. We'll eventually graduate to using paper and refine our strokes until we are creating recognizable shapes and landscapes. Note: our first class will cover primarily theory, but students are encouraged to wear old clothing or bring an apron to class. You will receive a materials list in the first class; expect to spend about $40 on supplies.
DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE!
It's the fitness trend that's sweeping the nation! If you've never run around in a circle trying to catch the guy who's "It," you've been missing out your entire life! Come realize the laughter of this exercise and practice your skills in running and tackling in a safe and encouraging space. We will cover the rules of "Duck, Duck, Goose" and its many variations, and play the game while forgetting the stresses of our everyday lives! Wear comfortable clothing, running shoes. Kneepads will be provided.
I highly recommend taking a class at the BCAE. I took Intro to Wheel throwing (pottery) and it was amazing. I am a poor grad student so I even got a scholarship, making it a no brainer. The other classes look interesting...and if I had the money I'd be taking alot more of them. I plan on coming back for more pottery classes for sure.
I've taken a variety of courses here: Indian Cuisine, Cheese tasting, career and personality type stuff, meditation for people on the go (not the exact title, but never mind. It was a completely useless course and I don't see it on the current schedule), Italian, Alexander technique, and yoga. 4 stars because I can't give it a 3.5. The Italian class really wasted my time. Together with the aforementioned meditation class they were bombs. The Alexander technique class was merely OK and came with a free personal consultation but to get the consultation would put me on the commuter rail to some suburb- forget that. I really enjoy the yoga classes taught by Portia. She's really alert to your sensitivities and provides alternative stretches to help. In a perfect world, I'd do the cheese tasting class hosted by Formaggio Kitchen, yoga, and some other healthy mind/body class every time the course catalog comes out.
