Explore. Imagine. Grow.
The mission of Language U is to introduce children to world languages and cultures through a fun, engaging experience in a low-stress environment. By embracing positivity, imagination and magic in every aspect of our program, we destigmatize fears associated with new languages and people. We then replace negativity with open-minded and adventurous new worlds for our students to grow and share in.
"Spanish Through FUN" -- 101
Each class thoughtfully interweaves hands-on activities, original music, adventures and movement, so students are engaged and happy from start to finish!
Whether your children are seeing Spanish for the first time or you are keeping up with your children's language foundation, Language U promises to keep your kids motivated, entertained and learning, of course!
Lia Andrews
Director and Founder of Language University
She received her BA in French and English with a minor in Spanish from West Chester University. She has a Master's degree in French from Middlebury College.
In 2008, Lia began teaching French and Spanish to elementary and preschool students with an emphasis on education through music and hands-on interaction.
After studying abroad in France and backpacking through Europe in 2010 with her cousins and sister, Lia made it her life’s goal to create a program that would encompass different types of language skills and teach all kinds of people.
Lia’s favorite part of Language University is being able to create an open-minded and multicultural world for children.
Our Team
Paul Calvarese
Music & Video Specialist
Paul Calverese creates all of Language University’s music and videos. Before joining Lia in designing Language University’s curriculum, Paul had spent years looking for a way to combine his loves of language and music. Since 2009, he has taught Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, ESL and piano. As a founding member of LU, he helped develop the language and cultural material featured in Language U’s Spanish and Chinese in-class curriculum, and he currently produces the videos featured in the Digital Curriculum.
Paul studied languages and writing systems throughout his childhood, which led to his degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures from the University of Delaware. He also took courses at the University of Costa Rica and the Foreigners' University of Siena in Italy. He has a DELE certification (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) from Instituto Cervantes (Level C1), and several TEFL certifications. He is fluent in Spanish and Italian, and has a working knowledge of Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Mandarin Chinese.
Victoria Beth Andrews
Illustrator
Victoria is an illustrator for Language U. In May of 2019, Victoria, graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. During her time at JMU she discovered her love for illustration, traveling, and working with children.
After graduating, Victoria joined the Mickey Mouse in the Disney College Program where she would meet people from all over the world, while exploring the magic of Disney. At the same time, Victoria became an official member of team LU! Inspired by her surroundings, she began illustrating lovable characters and animals. Most recently, Victoria illustrated the comic book, “The Adventures of Espantapájaros.”
Mary Kay Davis Sweeney
Art Specialist
Mary Kay is Language University’s art specialist. As her Kindergarten teacher once said, “Mary Kay is small, but she is mighty.” Language U is incredibly lucky to have this mighty mom and “NeeNee” of two grandchildren (featured in picture). A former PTO parent and homeroom mom, Mary Kay is unapologetically thorough. Over the years, she has been a registrar for her boys’ soccer league, an office manager at William Wood Co, and a puppy trainer for Canine Partners for Life. She’s an avid gardener, cook, and baker. Along with sewing and hand-crafting Christmas gifts, Mary Kay has remained steadfast to her love of art. Taking after her aunt, she engrossed herself in making porcelain dolls and taking up china painting.
Since Language University began, Mary Kay has given it the same creativity, love and attention that she gives anything in which she is involved. She designed Language U’s characters, props, crafts and she illustrated, “Amigos Pingüinos.” With her self-taught Cricut skills, she also had hundreds of crafts printed, labeled, cut out, bagged and ready for students every week. She remains a wise and insightful mentor, and she can confidently answer questions ranging from bookkeeping to budgeting to raising chickens. The woman is non-stop. Mary Kay’s favorite part of Language U is witnessing Lia’s passion for her program, seeing students with her crafts, and being able to work from home with her dog, Wilbur.
CJ Andrews
Technical Consultant
CJ is helping to manage Language University’s website. Currently, CJ is walking the streets of Boston and studying design and computer science at Northeastern University. In Spring 2023, he will graduate with a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Interaction Design and Masters of Science in Experience Design. Known as “tech support” amongst his four older sisters, CJ is a natural when it comes to helping manage Language University’s social media and website. And he truly doesn’t mind receiving random questions about the above at any time of night.
In elementary school, CJ served as one of Lia's first students (or guinea pigs) for what would later become Language University. As a Spanish-learner himself, CJ was supposed to study abroad in Spanish, but luckily he did make it to Cuba prior to the pandemic. His favorite part of Cuba was experiencing Havana and its culture first-hand. CJ is proud to be able to assist his sister in bringing the magic of foreign language to the digital space.
