ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - WBFN

the home with their spouse or partner and they report increased savings and lowered tensionabout money matters in general. In addition, the online courses bring people from variousglobal regions into contact through the financial chatrooms facilitated on the e-platform.Members-to-MembersLanguagesAdvanced English/Introduction to LiteratureThis class, taught by Helen Maybury, meets once a week for two hours at Helen’s homein Falls Church, Virginia. Members take turns reading short passages, with occasionalbreaks to clarify difficult vocabulary. Helen provides a brief biography of the author underdiscussion as well as a lexicon of the more difficult words. Classes conclude with lightrefreshments.This year, the class read American short stories selected from the anthology “The OxfordBook of American Short Stories”, edited by Joyce Carol Oates. Helen spent an average of 3-4hours each week in preparation for the classes, and the most rewarding aspect was formingfriendships with women from many different countries.At the beginning of the year, seven or eight WBFN members expressed an interest in joiningthe class, although only five began to participate regularly. Helen looks forward to repeatingthe class next year.Intermediate FrenchThe Intermediate French Group meets weekly. Classes develop participants’ French languageskills.The group continued to meet throughout FY12, getting together every Thursday from10:00am to 12:00 noon. Catherine Gouarne continued as the group teacher.Advanced Spanish ConversationThe Advanced Spanish Conversation group has been meeting for over 20 years with thesame coordinator and the same core members. The group reads short stories written bywell-known Spanish-speaking writers and articles from newspapers and magazines. Eachyear, the group organizes a Christmas party and a picnic, to which spouses/partners areinvited.62 63