Couple shares love for language with Cy-Fair

Although Patricia and Horacio Pedraza opened Texas School of Languages to primarily offer classes in Spanish, in the past six years the couple has expanded offerings to provide classes in any language. "Texas School of Languages emerged from a need in our community to be multilingual," Patricia said. "We all need to know how to speak more than two languages today."

Patricia and Horacio combined several of their passions and talents when the time came to open their own business. Patricia previously worked as a journalist and bilingual teacher in Cy-Fair ISD, while Horacio worked in marketing and as an announcer for Univision radio in Houston.

"One day we decided to become independent and pursue our dream of becoming business owners, so we combined our talents together," Patricia said.

Classes at the school last 20 weeks, and students can take individual lessons or group lessons with three or four other individuals.

"If a student works in a small group, confidence comes faster," Patricia said.

Although the Pedrazas will find a qualified teacher for any language a student wants to learn, a few of the more popular languages are Spanish, English, French, German and Italian.

"We are serious about getting the right teacher in the classroom," Patricia said. "It's all about the passion they have for helping others learn about the language."

One reason the couple decided to open a language school stems from the growing need for individuals to be multilingual.

"It can open up a different world when you understand another language," Horacio said. "It gives you a chance to learn a new culture."

In addition to the possibility that being multilingual could open up new job opportunities such as working as a translator or for the government, it can also make one more confident and provide opportunities for learning something new at a later age, Patricia said.

"We have a lot of students over the age of 60," she said. "It's amazing how they appreciate the diversity."

There is no one typical student who comes to Texas School of Languages.Students who come to study abroad from Italy, South America and Europe come to the school to refine their English-speaking skills, while some local clients take classes with their entire families or Mommy and Me lessons at Texas School of Languages.

"If you have the passion to learn a second or third language, you can do it," Patricia said. "If you have a dream to become fluent in another language, this is the school to be at."

Special events

Various special and seasonal events take place throughout the year at Texas School of Languages.

• Cinco de Mayo — Each May, owners Patricia and Horacio Pedraza host a Cinco de Mayo party to give back to the local community. Guests can dance to Mariachi music, watch cultural dances or visit several booths on display.
• Summer camps — Texas School of Languages hosts various 10-week summer camps during which Spanish, French and Chinese are taught.
• Christmas festival — During last year's holiday season, the Pedrazas hosted a Christmas festival as an opportunity to donate toys to orphans in Haiti.

New opportunities

Owners Patricia and Horacio Pedraza recently began offering several alternatives to language classes.

• Yoga — Clients can take a yoga class in Spanish
• Birthday parties — Texas School of Languages hosts birthday parties in Spanish, French and Chinese
• Zumba — Spanish-speaking instructors also offer Zumba classes at the school

13700 Lakewood Forest Drive, Houston, 281-970-4911, www.texasschooloflanguages.com

• Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–9 p.m
• Sat. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.