Discover the Best Spanish Classes in Los Angeles
Spanish is one of the most widely used languages in the world. The spread of Spanish in the past has been largely attributed to Spanish conquerors and missionaries as they moved about the world. Now, globalization has further encouraged the spread of the language. It’s estimated that over 21 million people around the world are currently learning Spanish, either through school, classes offered by language centers, or independently through various resources like textbooks, the internet, and apps.
Like all Romance languages, Spanish is rooted in Latin. Many speakers of other Romance languages, therefore, find Spanish easier to learn than non-Romance languages. English and Spanish both have Latin and French influences, so many native English speakers have few difficulties in learning Spanish. The two languages share many words. However, native English speakers sometimes have trouble learning the rules of gendered grammar, which Spanish uses.
Los Angeles has the largest Hispanic population in the United States. If you live in the LA area and are interested in learning Spanish, you have plenty of opportunities to do so, whether you choose to take a formal class or learn by immersing yourself in the language as it’s spoken around you.
Why You Should Learn Spanish in Los Angeles
When you learn a new language, you must memorize vocabulary and grammar rules that might be unfamiliar to you. Storing this information and understanding how to use it in a grammatically correct sentence presents a challenge to your brain. This can help improve your memory and improve cognitive function. Speaking a new language as you learn it will also help you learn to think on your feet faster.
Although there is an emphasis on learning a new language as a child, when your brain is still developing, people of all ages can do so. Adults have wider vocabularies than children and understand how to study, which puts them at an advantage in learning a new language. Older adults who work to learn a new language could potentially slow down the development of dementia.
Over 485 million people in the world are native Spanish speakers. Of that 485 million, it’s estimated that around 40 million native speakers live in the US. Spanish is also the most spoken language at home in LA. If you live in the LA area, learning how to speak Spanish can provide you with the opportunity to communicate with more people in both your personal and professional life.
In-Person Spanish Classes in Los Angeles
In-person Spanish classes are offered in and around the Los Angeles area. In-person classes provide formal instruction and provide you with the chance to practice speaking Spanish with other students of the language. When looking for an in-person class to take, you’ll be able to choose based on your skill level.
Los Angeles City College, located in East Hollywood, offers several Spanish classes for students of varying skill levels. Their class Spanish Conversation & Pronunciation: Level 1 is a beginner-level class that will teach you the basics of communicating in Spanish. You’ll learn basic grammar and pronunciation. All class materials will be emailed to you before your first session.
You can follow up the beginner class with Los Angeles City College’s Spanish Conversation & Pronunciation: Level 2 and Spanish Conversation & Pronunciation: Level 3. Both classes are at the intermediate level. They will expand on speaking and writing in Spanish, with an emphasis on accentuation, pronunciation, and conversational dialogue. In each class, you’ll learn to expand on your vocabulary and more ways to conjugate verbs.
Los Angeles City College also offers a Spanish-language acting class. The class, Actuar en Español, is for fluent Spanish speakers. No prior acting experience is required. In the class, you’ll unlock your creative process as you work your way through essays, monologues, and improvised scenes. If Spanish is your second language, this class will provide a safe and comfortable environment for you to explore expressing yourself in Spanish.
You can sign up for a beginner-level Spanish class at Santa Monica College, located in Malibu. The first beginner class will introduce you to communicating in Spanish. The second beginner-level course will help you expand your vocabulary and knowledge of Spanish grammar. Both classes charge a materials fee. Check out the class page of each class for details.
Virtual Spanish Classes
If you can’t make any of the in-person Spanish classes being taught in the LA area, check out what virtual Spanish classes you can take. These classes are catered to a variety of skill levels. No matter the class, a fluent instructor will guide you and other participants through the class while encouraging you to confidently speak conversational Spanish. These classes are remote, so you don’t need to worry about commuting. If your office or home has a stable internet connection and is interruption-free, you can take your class from there.
Fluent City offers a variety of virtual Spanish classes. You can sign up for a beginner-level or intermediate-level class. Each class will teach you vocabulary and grammar rules of the language while helping to prepare you to hold conversations of different difficulty levels in Spanish. Fluent City also offers a Spanish crash course that will provide you with the basics of the language. This two-day workshop is ideal for someone planning to travel to a Spanish-speaking country.
RoLa Language’s class, Spanish Intro, provides participants with a beginner-level understanding of Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and tenses. Following the completion of this class, you can sign up for other Spanish classes with RoLa Languages that will expand your knowledge of the language.
If you’d like private Spanish lessons, check out the ones offered by ABC Languages. Before your first session, an advisor will reach out to you to discuss your learning needs, goals, and scheduling preferences. This information will be used to help them match you with an instructor who can fulfill your needs. Classes will also be tailored to your skill level and learning needs.
Private Group Spanish Classes in Los Angeles
Are you looking to book a Spanish class for you and your friends? Private group Spanish classes are a great way to learn the basics of the language before traveling to a Spanish-speaking country. CourseHorse can deliver private classes to you.
CourseHorse has a contact form on its website that you can use to reach out to them to discuss your group’s learning needs and goals. They’ll let you know what Spanish classes they can provide your group based on this information. When booking a class with CourseHorse, you’ll need to provide them with a headcount. It’s okay if you don’t know your headcount yet; CourseHorse will let you book with the minimum group size and update it before your class is to take place. If you’re unsure if a class will be right for your group, CourseHorse can provide you with a 20-minute demo of the class for $100. They’ll also let you customize your class for $150. Typical customizations include the addition of games.
CourseHorse offers a stress-free booking process. They don’t charge booking fees and you can cancel your class for free up to two weeks before the class is scheduled. They also allow reschedules 48 hours or less out from the class for a fee of $150. CourseHorse classes can be taken using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, or WebEx. Zoom is the recommended platform for best course delivery.
CourseHorse offers other private classes that may interest you and your group. For example, if you’re planning a trip to Spain or another Spanish-speaking country, they can help you prepare outside of language classes. Other private group classes offered are cuisine focused. You can sign up for a virtual Spanish Tapas class and a virtual Wine Workshop, which will include a tasting of a Spanish Rosé.
