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Cambridge Center For Adult Education
Rating Details »
Category: Adult Education
Neighborhood: Harvard Square42 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6789
- Nearest Transit:
-
Harvard (Red)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
25 reviews for Cambridge Center For Adult Education
I am taking Spanish and Grant Writing right now and both classes are excellent. The teachers really know their stuff, and the staff at CCAE are incredibly friendly and helpful. The classes are so cheap--this is an excellent value.
If you've been thinking about brushing up on whatever language you took in high school, go here--it's a quarter of the price of other area language schools and personally I know I've learned more than my friends who went to one of them. I'm definitely going to keep up with Spanish and take some cooking classes to boot!
Based on the one class I took, The Complete Indian Dinner, I am very dissapointed with the quality of classes from the Cambridge Center for Adult Education.
For $92 per person (I paid for my mom and I, so nearly TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS!), we were given recipes, split into groups, and told to cook with one another. There was no teaching whatsoever, which resulted in someone using five times the amount of salt for a dish and completely ruining it. While I knew there would be some hands-on cooking, I also expected a good amount of demonstration. Not so- the teacher just wandered around and told us what to chop, how to turn on the oven, etc. Not to mention the appliances and cookware was old and dirty feeling.
Complete rip-off. Never again.
If I had the money, I'd take several classes each term easily. So far I've taken an asian fusion cooking class with Walter, and a banjo class. Both have been exceptional, fun learning experiences. And the prices are super affordable!
I can't wait to take more cooking classes here, especially. I'm very amazed/impressed by everything they have on offer; really rich variety in such a multitude of subjects. The instructors are knowledgeable and friendly; very enthusiastic about their specialties. As a lover of learning, I constantly check on updated course offerings and their Friday cooking series. I love this place and look forward to future educational experiences!
CCAE is fabulous! There are still 20-30 classes that I would love to take but haven't had opportunity to yet. The classes that I have taken have been wonderful. So far I've indulged in singing, writing, dancing, business and kick-boxing classes and intend to take sewing, cooking, wine appreciation, photography and more.
The prices are great, the teachers are knowledgeable and fun and my classmates also have been fantastic.
I've been taking classes here for about 3 years and I highly recommend CCAE, it's convenient and fun! It's also great for those who want to learn something but don't want the pressure of tons of homework and grades. After grad school I'm done with that for awhile. CCAE rocks!
I signed up for two summer term classes this year because I was feeling overly ambitious. I went online and signed up for a CSS and a Python class.
My CSS class was great, probably because I didn't feel like an idiot in that class because I have some idea what CSS is and use it everyday at work, but don't really know the ins and outs. There were people in that class that range from around 25-50ish, men and women on all levels. Then there was the Python class. I was definitely the stupidest person in that class, no doubt about it. I managed to make it to maybe 3 classes and had to drop out because I my eyes would get all glassy, nothing was sinking in, and I would ask stupid questions like "Um...where's the Command Prompt window?" Plus, the guy who taught the class would ask me at the end of every class, "Was that okay for you? Did you need me to explain things more?" Maybe if he talked s-l-o-w-e-r, I would understand things better.
This really annoyed me because I paid almost $200 for the class and it stated that it was for Python users of all levels. I routed around their site to see if there was any chance of a refund and I just have to fill out a class evaluation sheet and write a letter explaining my dissatisfaction with the class. A few days later, I get an email stating that they refunded my full tuition fee to be used as course credit.
So now instead of learning Python, I'm taking a yoga class. I'm not so much worried about being the dumbest one in my yoga class. I'm more worried about being the gassiest one.
Great courses and reasonably priced. I took beading and had a blast.
Art classes: Dave Andrus. He's great - maybe not everyone's cup of tea but I like him. I'll pretty much take just about anything he's offering.
Also check out figure drawing on Sundays. It's a great session, several hours, come and go as you please, but beware - it gets very very crowded.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/10/2007
UPDATE: still taking classes all these years later. I feel strongly compelled to mention that the… Read more »
I have not yet taken a class here but they have so many interesting offerings and I've heard really good things about their classes. The fact that Boston has so many great adult education options is one of the main attractions for me. I love the location in Harvard Square and I love that the building has a restroom that you can just walk in and use. They have everything from art classes to writing classes to cooking and physical education. You can pick up a booklet out front.
--update. I have so far had two classes I signed up for here get cancelled. So, be aware that this is a possibility and have a backup plan. It was pretty annoying because I was very excited about both classes.
I've taken a bunch of writing classes here, and I keep coming back. Most were great; a few were really really really bad. As for the good ones, I thought instructors Amy Clark, Madeline Marget and Sheila Rice were fantastic. Organized, kind and knowledgeable.
The OTHERS, the bad classes, were usually really unorganized, filled with egos who looooooooooooved to hear themselves talk. No time management. Once in a while I would come across a class filled with bored, middle-aged women who wanted to use creative writing classes as a way to work through their divorce or big '5-0' as if it were group therapy instead of 'Advanced Non-Fiction.' That was frustrating--entertaining sometimes--but mostly frustrating.
If you're a sweaty person, I wouldn't recommend the summer courses. The classrooms are smelly, tiny, poorly air conditioned sweat boxes. It gets gross. So why the four stars? Because most of the students and teachers are really fascinating, talented people, and you're lucky to meet them.
I'm happy to report that CCAE's registrar did take action following my post, and stated that she had spoken with her staff and apologized for what happened. I'll chalk it up to a learning experience.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/17/2009
The one cooking class I took was fun, due to the other students more than anything else. The… Read more »
I felt a little like a whimsical old lady when I decided that I finally had enough free time and motivation (an upcoming trip to Paris) to learn French, and honestly expected to be the only young person among other whimsical old ladies in the class. But I was happy to find that people who take classes at the CCAE are normal folks of all ages who just want to learn something new. In my class, there is a Harvard undergrad who didn't want to clutter her schedule with full time French, a research assistant sick of science (kind of like me), an older Brazilian gentleman - I don't know why he decided to learn, but he's funny, - a dentist who already speaks Spanish (like me), and wants to know another language, and me, a young doctor with 1 year and 1 year only to do what she pleases before real life begins.
In general, at the CCAE, the possibilities are many. Foreign languages, ballroom dancing, kabala, yoga, bistro cooking, even a weekend seminar on making Coq au Vin.
The building (I am at 56 Brattle) has a distinct village schoolhouse feel, as in, it's wikked old and creaky, painted an odd green color, and has actual chalkboards with actual chalk (in your face, dry erase marker and powerpoint!).
Learning French is completely different from learning medicine, and SUCH a pleasure!! And so cheap and so worth it!! Check it out: "Je suis Americaine, je suis petite et ne suis pas assez grosse." !!
I'm so happy, I might sign up to learn something else. Creative writing? Massage techniques? Baroque painting for beginners? Just some ideas....
I am a fan of adult education centers, namely CCAE. I have taken a bike riding class (don't ask...I was traumatized as a child) and an exotic dance class there. They offer an array of classes, most are very reasonably priced. I believe that learning is a lifelong process..."an idle mind is the devil's workshop" he he. CCAE makes learning fun!
"Painting as Self-Expression"? Well, it turned out to be more like still life oil painting for beginners but it was still a great class. One of many that they offer here for between 100 and 200 dollars for 10 or so weeks.
Sign up people! Expand your repertoires, increase your life skills and give yourself outlets of artistry. Not once did I feel burdened to get to my class and it never felt like being back at school again. I'll be back in summer to see if I can improve on my tulips-in-vase masterpiece.
Josh and I took two semesters of salsa lessons and loved it. We stopped due to time constraints - that, and we just weren't that good. Well, he was, I sucked.
The teachers were amazing. They broke down the steps well, were very clear and were amazing dancers. But they also made it incredibly fun. Javier has such a wonderful sense of humor, that even when we were all frustrated or confused, he fixed what was wrong with a joke.
Class outing to Grendel's and student organized salsa nights only added to the camaraderie we already felt.
I would recommend this class to anyone - inherent talent or no. Watch out though, you switch partners every few minutes, so don't expect to be dancing with the person you came with (if you signed up as a couple), since that will not be the case.
The CCAE itself is well run and the website is easy to use.
I held off reviewing CCAE until my Advanced Spanish Conversation course ended. In hindsight, I admit that my expectations were too high for such an inexpensive course.
First of all, attendance was fickle- the class started out so full that I could barely speak for eight minutes a class and then dwindled to barely a handful by the end. I'm sure every student in my class had the best intentions to improve their Spanish but the class was not enticing and productive enough to make them come back. Although the instructor was upbeat and engaging, the class was not well organized and I did much more listening than speaking.
I would consider taking another course at CCAE but would probably try something I've never done before... maybe Intro to Belly Dancing... Glassblowing... Authentic Chinese Feng Shui...
I think the Cambridge Center takes a bit of a back seat to it's bigger colleague, the Boston Center. That's a shame. The CCAE is a lovely place. They offer lots of great classes and have a funky, laid back feel even while being well organized and thorough.
I've been around the Center for my whole life. My parents have volunteered there for as long as I can remember, I have taken classes, my kids have taken classes, and most recently I've even done some teaching there myself.
I think maybe the center has a bit of a reputation of being stodgy or for old people, but that is really not the case, and I totally suggest checking out the catalog at http://www.ccae.org
Signing up for classes was very easy. The staff have been very friendly.
I am taking French classes and I love my teacher. Or rather J'Adore ma professuer de Francais. At least I think that's right.
It's conveinant for me after work to get to the classes.
They also offer up some great fun topics for classes, or seminars.
Great selction of classes, everything from cooking french cuisine and sampling wine to brushing up on investing and studying for the GRE. Need physical activity? Try Brazilian dance or jiu-jitsu.
Definitely sign up for the ground fighting class. Rhonda is an amazing instructor and we need more women in the class. Everyone is super nice and you'll feel super strong after each class!
This is a fun place to take fun classes! Meet people-- the mix seems to be about half college-age and half ' real adults'.
Take sign language with Hartmut Teuber-- he's great. Nothing like having a deaf teacher to really give you that kick you need.
The classes are reasonably priced, and very well worth it!
I took the beginners wine tasting class. Although the selection of wines chosen by the instructor were very good, in that he tried to cover as much varieties as possible in the budget he was given, I thought his style of teaching was very dry. He could've been the wine consultant for the class and someone who's more enthusiastic to teach could've been teaching the class. For instance, I'd have loved to get more printouts, resources, maybe a small textbook or reference on wines (a pocket one, to remind me of the complicated italian/french grapes), and just more TEXT. I also wanted to know little more of the economics behind wine.
Rentention of material is what was poor from the class. A few mnemonics would've helped.
I'd definitely suggest taking the class but you have to put your own time and resources into figureing things out. This is just a starting point to be able to recognize stuff on a wine menu.
For some reason, the instructor wasn't too warm also. Like he didn't maintain an email address for teaching and wasn't too receptive to the idea of getting emailed on questions we'd want to ask. Would've helped if he maintained a website on the wines he was going to present during class.
In short, let down in some ways, good in some others....
I'm taking an acting class here now and thought I'd chime in. I've taken dance, public speaking, and photography classes in the past as well. They've all been pretty different, but not a bad class yet. Plus, you meet really cool people and the instructors are interesting--you can tell they are teaching because they want to.
i wanted to plug the class i'm taking now: Acting 1: Anyone Can Act with Stan Edelson.
stan is the cutest little old man ever. the class is like acting, but also learning to live more fully, and group therapy combined. stan is super supportive, open-minded and creative, and continually encourages us to challenge ourselves to let go, be more aware, and have fun with it. (in case you can't tell, i'm in love with him). like the description states, it's a great way to meet people- it's the sort of class that forces you to interact and get to know each other, and people seem to be open to hanging out outside of class if you're interested in that. the people in my class are mid-20s to mid-30s, but it just depends on who signs up. not bad for $200 for 10 3-hour classes that meet once a week.
this is my first acting class and i love it. other people who have some acting experience agree he's a good teacher. you can tell he loves what he's doing. it warms my heart, and hopefully by the end, i'll be less socially-awkward.
this is my first ccae class so i can't comment on the others, but the variety looks interesting.
CCAE's classes are great. I've taken a Chinese cooking class, art classes, and a finance class. The prices are very reasonable, and all the instructors I've had have been great. They offer tons of courses for whatever interests you at all times of day.
This review is for the Sunday morning figure drawing sessions.
I've been to a bunch of different figure drawing sessions around Boston, looking for the best place to continue my practice since graduating from art school. This place is the best I've found so far. The studio feels exactly like the old studios I'd draw in back at Ringling. The space is large, with easels, tables, and plenty of chairs, so no matter what medium you use, you're likely to find the furniture you need to set up properly. They also have a sink, which is very useful if you're painting or using inks and brushes. I'm not sure yet if the place is properly ventilated for heavier/ more toxic mediums (besides just opening the huge windows, but what with all of the seasons here in lovely Cambridge, that isn't always an option), but I would imagine so, as there's a lot of oil paint everywhere. The dude that runs the sessions is very friendly, and the regulars are generally older folks, whom have all been very nice so far.
The only less than ideal factor in scoring this review would have to be the lighting situation, as one wall is entirely made up of windows, there tends to be pretty even lighting. It'll take a bit of inventing to get any sort of strong chiaroscuro effect in your drawings.
The sessions start at (I believe) 9:30am, and go until 1:30pm. They cost $11.
I had great experiences taking salsa class and photography class here. The tuition is very affordable, the instructors are knowledgeable, and my classmates are awesome!
