Watch CBS News

NYC's 7 Best Places To Learn A Foreign Language

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
New York Public Library
(credit: New York Public Library)

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.

Baruch Collge
(credit: Baruch College)

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.

Studying Japanese
(credit: Hills Learning)

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.

Learn Hindi like a native
(credit: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan)

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.

Classes at the Cervantes Institute
(credit: Cervantes Institute)

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.

Family Saturdays at the French Institute
(credit: French Institute)

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.

American Sign Language
(image courtesy of Sign Language Center)

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.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.