"Communication," Ms. Tongues said. "It is not just about words. It is about understanding. Context. Nuance. A gesture can mean a thousand words."
Alex sat at his desk. He was looking at a phrasebook.
Italian for beginners.
He already knew Ciao. And Pizza. And Scudetto.
"Mr. Finch," Ms. Tongues asked. "How do you say 'victory' in Italian?"
Alex looked up.
"Vittoria, Miss," Alex said.
"Correct," Ms. Tongues smiled. "And how do you say 'defense'?"
"Difesa."
"Excellent."
Mark sat next to Alex. He was wearing a fake mustache and holding a baguette (again).
"I speak fluent French!" Mark announced. " Omelette du fromage!"
"That is from a cartoon, Mark," Ms. Tongues sighed.
"It is a classic!" Mark argued. "Also, I can speak Spanish. Hola! Fiesta! Nachos!"
"Mark," Alex whispered. "We are going to Italy. You need Italian."
"Italian is easy!" Mark said. "You just wave your hands like this!"
Mark started waving his hands wildly, knocking over a pile of dictionaries.
