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NYC’s 7 Best Places To Learn A Foreign Language

March 14, 2012 8:59 AM

(image courtesy the Cervantes Institute)

We’re all “New Yorkers,” but we come from every imaginable place on earth – and speak more than 138 languages. Maybe it’s time we learned more than just one. Here are a few places to apprender, 學習, or учиться a new language. By Sherry Mazzocchi

NYCs 7 Best Places To Learn A Foreign Language

(credit: New York Public Library)

New York Public Library

Mango Database

New York, NY

www.nypl.org/collections/articles-databases/mango-languages

Anyone with a library card and Internet access can learn a new language with the New York Public Library’s interactive online Mango Database. It has lessons –including English as a second language — in more than 38 languages. You can even download a free app for easy access.

(credit: Baruch College)

Baruch College Continuing and Professional Studies

55 Lexington Ave

New York, NY

www.baruched.com

Not only does Baruch College offer a center for learning English, they have classes in over a dozen modern languages. Make small talk in Arabic, chat about food in German and immerse yourself in Portuguese.

(credit: Hills Learning)

Hills Learning

380 Lexington Ave

New York, NY 10168

212-551-7903

Interested in learning Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Thai languages? Then go to Hills Learning. Hills emphasizes a SWIRL technique–Speaking, Writing, Intonation, Reading and Listening. With classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced students, this is a great resource.

(credit: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan)

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA

Institute of Indian Culture

305 7th Ave., 17th flr.

New York, NY 10001

212-989-8383

www.bhavanus.com/courses.php

Not only does Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan offer classes in Hindi and Sanskrit, they also teach North Indian classical music, Indian folk and classical dance. Come for the classes and stay for the concerts.

(credit: Cervantes Institute)

Instituto Cervantes

211-215 East 49th St.

New York, NY

(212) 308-7720

nyork.cervantes.es/en/courses_spanish/spanish_courses.htm

Spanish in New York’s unofficial second language. At the Instituto Cervantes, students not only learn a language, but also get a chance to explore different aspects of Hispanic culture. And if your Spanish is already fluent, explore Spain’s other languages–Catalan, Basque and Galician.

(credit: French Institute)

French Institute Alliance Francaise

22 E. 60th St.

New York, NY

(212) 355-6100

www.fiaf.org/

FIAF has native teachers and its small and inexpensive classes are designed to have you speaking French in no time. Like all great language centers, students can supplement their learning with the wide array of cultural events FIAF offers–movies, lectures and — best of all — wine tastings.

(image courtesy of Sign Language Center)

Sign Language Center

39 E. 30th St.

New York, NY

www.signlanguagecenter.com

Learning sign language is the best way to bridge the gap between hearing and deaf people. SLC’s “native” deaf instructors also give students an introduction to deaf culture. They also offer private one-on-one tutoring for adults, children and babies.

Mandy

Have you checked out Fluent City? Casual, fun classes that are affordable and offered in Manhattan and Williamsburg! Choose from French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Mandarin and Arabic. http://www.fluentcity.com