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Discover the Best Language Skills Classes Near Me

Learning effective language skills empowers you to connect with people from all over the world, convey your ideas and opinions, foster understanding and mutual respect, expand your business, travel abroad, and develop relationships with individuals and communities. Both in your personal life and your professional life, your language skills determine how you convey your thoughts, emotions, and ideas. 

You might assume that to connect with speakers of different languages in your daily life would require you to live in a metropolitan area or in another country, but the internet makes it possible to connect with others around the world in real-time no matter where you may be. And while technology is improving translation apps and services, nothing compares to connecting with others directly by conversing together in the same language. Learning at least the basics of a foreign language is also extremely helpful to anyone looking to travel internationally. Researching the best language skills classes near you can help you find an instructor and community that will help you elevate your language skills.

Why You Should Learn Language Skills

Learning language skills offers benefits for both your personal and professional life. Becoming multilingual can benefit your career by opening new job opportunities or the chance to expand your business into new markets. Learning language skills can especially benefit professionals working in government positions, multinational corporations, and international organizations. Your language skills can also improve understanding and eliminate communication barriers with diverse colleagues and clients, which makes for a stronger, more productive relationship.

Developing language skills promotes understanding and engagement in multicultural communities and is essential for traveling in many parts of the world. The process of studying a new language can also foster cognitive development by improving skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and multitasking. Learning language skills can even delay cognitive aging and improve memory. According to Cambridge, having new experiences (such as learning a foreign language) forms new connections in the brain, which strengthens nervous symptom links. Taking a language skills class helps you to practice regularly, which helps to maintain the neurological links and connections formed by learning a new language. Beyond all this, learning a new language is interesting and fun, especially when you can learn from and practice with others.

5 Ways to Learn Language Skills

There are multiple ways to develop your language skills, and you don’t have to limit yourself to any single method. You can explore different options to discover the combination that works best for your schedule, learning style, budget and goals. 

Here are five ways to learn language skills: 

1. In-Person Classes: In-person language classes give you the chance to learn face-to-face from an expert instructor, ask questions, and to develop your reading and listening comprehension. In-person classes also help you advance your pronunciation and conversational skills. You can converse with classmates, receive feedback from your teacher, discover different methods and best practices for learning, and more. Additionally, taking an in-person language class offers the chance to form friendships and become part of a community. 

1. Online classes: Live online language classes work well for those who want to learn alongside others in real time, converse with fellow learners, and receive guidance from a fluent instructor without needing to commute to a physical location. Remote learning enables you to connect with your class from anywhere, so whether you prefer the comfort of home or want to expand beyond your local options, an online class can provide similar benefits as those provided by in-person learning.

1. Self-paced classes: Self-paced classes are a form of online learning that differs from live language classes in a few key ways. Self-paced language classes consist of pre-recorded and largely static material that you progress through at your own pace. The ability to learn at the time and location you want and to set your own pace provides flexibility for those with busy schedules. These classes are also very affordable, with many platforms selling classes for a flat fee or for a monthly rate. The biggest downside of a self-paced class is the lack of access to an instructor. Without a teacher, it’s difficult to know if you are pronouncing words correctly, nor do you have an expert available to answer your questions. Self-paced classes are also more individualistic, making it harder to develop speaking skills by conversing with others.

1. Foreign-language media: You can develop your reading and listening comprehension by engaging with foreign-language media. This can take the form of news videos and articles, or watching a movie or show in the language you’re learning. You can also listen to music by native singers. Reading the lyrics or transcripts while you listen can help develop your reading and listening language skills simultaneously. Finding activities that you already enjoy (such as watching shows or reading books) that also let you practice your language skills can increase the likelihood you will want to engage with the language regularly. 

1. Language Exchange: One way to develop your language skills and help someone else to do the same is to form a language exchange. You can do this in person or online depending on your preference. In a language exchange, a native speaker converses with someone who is learning the language, then the speaker does the same. For example, if your partner is a native French speaker who is learning English, you will have conversations together in English to help them improve. They will then return the favor by leading a conversation with you in French. A language exchange offers a chance to promote cultural exchange and understanding, develop a new friendship, and test your language skills with a native speaker.

You can take different types of classes to learn what options work best for you. You can also try a combined approach, for example supplementing in-person classes with self-paced courses that help you practice throughout the week.

In-Person Language Skills Classes

In-person language classes offer the chance to learn face-to-face with a fluent teacher and with classmates that share your interest. In-person classes are the most traditional form of learning, and for good reason. They are highly effective at building your reading, listening, and speaking skills and your teacher can offer immediate, personalized feedback and guidance. You will also have the chance to form new friendships with classmates, follow a structured learning system, and remain motivated and accountable as you learn. The number of in-person language classes available will depend on your location, with many options concentrated in major metropolitan areas.

In-person language classes in New York include classes from Learn Spanish New York and Learn French BK. Learn Spanish New York opened in 2013 in Manhattan with the goal of providing Spanish cultural activities and classes to teach the Spanish language and culture. Their instructors are native Spanish speakers who use proven, world-class teaching methods to help students master the Spanish language. Their Spanish 1.1 - Beginner Part 1 class in Union Square, Manhattan is intended for adult, beginner students. It has an average class size of 15 and costs $425 for five sessions. Learn French BK stands out from other language schools through its use of a full-immersion setting. This method will get you speaking French like a native and is the fastest method for learning a new language. Their Absolute Beginner French Level 1 class is $390 for eight sessions.

Los Angeles students can explore in-person class options through East Los Angeles College and Santa Monica College. East Los Angeles College’s Chinese for Everyday Life class teaches teens and adults modern Chinese vocabulary, skills for simple conversation, and language skills for work and daily life. The cost of this class is $95 for five sessions. Santa Monica College’s Beginning Spanish - Level 1 class in Malibu teaches adult students basic language skills for effective communication. The class costs $168 for six sessions.

Chicago’s Discovery Center offers beginner classes in Italian, Spanish, and more. 6 sessions cost $139. These classes are part of the Discovery Center’s mission to promote lifelong learning in a way that is fun and stimulating for adult students of all ages.

RoLa Languages in Cambridge, MA offers Boston-area, conversation-based language classes in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Mandarin, and more. The cost of these classes is $275 for eight sessions. 

The San Diego School of Languages is known as a top language school in San Diego County, offering classes in 20 languages. They offer classes for children and adults with options such as Learning Japanese and Kids Chinese.

Atlanta’s Oglethorpe University offers classes in Spanish, Swedish, and more, as well as other adult learning classes centered on art and culture. 

Virtual Language Skills Classes 

If you don’t live in a metropolitan area, you may have limited local options. Even if you do live in a city, local foreign language classes may not suit your schedule or goals. Online language skills classes taught by an instructor offer several advantages, many of which mirror similar in-person classes. These live online language classes give you many options regarding the language you want to learn, a schedule that works for you, and the flexibility to take classes offered from anywhere in the world without being limited by your location.

Here are some of the top benefits live online language classes offer: 

• Real-Time Interaction: Unlike self-paced classes, which consist of mostly static material, live online classes connect you to an instructor and classmates in real-time. You can ask questions, practice your language skills, and receive immediate feedback. Connecting with your teacher and classmates in real-time can also make learning more engaging and enjoyable. 

• Structured Learning: Live virtual classes typically follow a structured schedule and curriculum. This can help you to practice regularly and guide your progress. Experienced teachers also understand how to ensure you gain key foundational skills in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation to continually build your language skills.

• Accountability: Attending a structured class can provide a sense of accountability, which helps keep you motivated in spite of challenges that come with learning a new language.

• Personalized Instruction: In a live online class, the teacher can adapt lessons to the class’s needs and proficiency levels. Your teacher can provide personalized tips and feedback targeted to your goals and learning style. 

• Interactive Learning: Many live online language classes include group activities that help you build your listening and speaking skills. You can converse with your teacher and classmates to diversify your learning and build key language skills. 

Maybe you want to try an introductory course to a language before committing to an ongoing class. ABC Languages’ online “Intro Crash Course” sessions are an affordable way to try a new language and see if it’s right for you. Upcoming “Intro to Crash Course” sessions are available for Spanish, Italian, French, German, and more. These range in cost from $50-55 for the single-session class. ABC Languages also offers beginner and intermediate classes in a variety of languages like Russian, Arabic, and Chinese, and offers private lessons in Korean, Japanese, Persian, and more.

Another option for those interested in taking a beginner-friendly foreign language course are Level 1 classes from Fluent City. Fluent City offers live online Level 1 classes for Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, Japanese, and many more. The cost for each multi-session course is $399.

No matter what language or type of class you may be looking for, live online classes offer the flexibility and convenience of remote learning and are a good alternative when you cannot attend in-person classes.

Private Group Language Skills Classes

A private language skills class can be a fun way to explore a new language with your friends and family. A private language class also acts as a unique and engaging team-building activity for businesses and organizations. Employees can strengthen team cooperation and gain valuable skills for conversing with international clients, entering new markets, and advancing in a global organization. Live online group classes are especially beneficial for teams that work remotely or in multiple locations. 

CourseHorse can help you schedule private group language skills classes tailored to your group’s needs. You can also explore many different live online group events ranging from trivia battles to coding classes.

If you don’t see a class that fits your needs, you can reach out to CourseHorse via their contact form to arrange a custom language class for your group. Booking with CourseHorse allows you to change your group size after booking, in case your plans change. CourseHorse supports classes on multiple platforms, sends confirmation of your booking within 24 hours, and never charges a booking fee. 

What Will I Need to Learn Language Skills?

A language class may follow a specific textbook or workbook, but in many cases all necessary materials will be provided by the teacher or school. Your teacher may recommend supplemental material that will help you gain additional language skills. Such materials can speed up your learning, help you practice between classes, and allow you to reinforce lessons learned during class. 

Is it Difficult to Learn Language Skills?

Learning a new language is both rewarding and fulfilling in many ways, but the learning process comes with multiple challenges. Understanding these challenges and planning for them will help you stay focused and achieve your learning goals. 

• Time Commitment: Gaining new language skills requires consistent practice, which means setting aside time regularly. This can be challenging for those with busy schedules and other commitments. Taking a language class guarantees that you set aside some time each week for the class itself, but it also provides motivation in the form of accountability. 

• Pronunciation and Accent: Learning a new language means learning sounds and phonetics that may not exist in your native language. Speaking like a native takes time and practice. Having a teacher that can offer feedback on your pronunciation makes this significantly easier compared to self-study.

• Grammar and Syntax: Some languages have grammatical rules and structures that differ significantly from English. Hearing how words are used by natives in conversation and reading text in the language can help you better understand grammar and syntax.

• Vocabulary: It takes time to build a wide-ranging vocabulary and involves both learning new words and retaining those you learn. To gain fluency, you will also need to understand different scenarios and contexts in which words are used.

• Motivation: It can be difficult sometimes to stay motivated when learning a new language because of the challenges mentioned. Being part of a class gives you a supportive instructor and community with which to practice and can help you remain motivated as you learn. Having a language exchange partner can also help to keep you motivated.

Despite the challenges that come with learning language skills, learning a new language is well worth the effort. The more you learn, the more you can connect with other people and the more benefits you will gain. Joining a language skills class can connect you with an expert instructor, classmates that share your interest, and a community that will help you stay motivated and encouraged.