Let's Talk Journey
Founded on a vision of accessible language education for all ages, Let's Talk Language School began as a community initiative,
led by Gina Coppens and Steve Bachsbaum in 2003.
From its home on Temple Street in Waterville, ME, the school welcomed learners from across the state — offering small-group language classes, ESOL programs for local communities, and partnerships with nonprofits to celebrate the diverse cultures of Central Maine.
Closed in 2012, Let's Talk Language School reopened in 2026, over a decade later, with the same passion for knowledge sharing and new ambition: to foster a vibrant hub for multilingual learning in Central Maine once again.
We are committed to creating a welcoming space where every student can thrive — and where language brings us closer together.
Our Why:
message from Managing Director
I grew up in Saratov, Russia, where I studied English, Spanish, and German before moving to the United States to teach Russian at the University of Missouri. Later I went on to teach English at a charter school in Austin, TX, worked as a project manager for a couple of design companies in Florida and San Francisco, and earned two Master's degrees — one in Literature and one in Art History.
My husband, Jose Martinez, is a Colombian-born musician and composer. We moved to Waterville in 2021, following Jose's appointment as a professor of music at Colby College. He is also a fellow Let's Talk board member! Together we are raising our trilingual daughter Olga, whose love of Spanish, Russian, and music fills our lives with purpose.
For us, Let's Talk is both a family endeavor and our way of serving this community. As educators and parents of a multilingual learner, this is our answer to the need for more accessible language education and culture in Central Maine.
This initiative is built by people who know firsthand what it is to learn a new language as adults.
Katya Shevchenko, Managing Director
Get in Touch
info@letstalkwaterville.com
Phone
+1 (207) 579-4635
Location
74 Pleasant St, Waterville, ME 04901