Discover the Best Language Skills Classes in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the world’s most diverse cities with more than 200 languages spoken within Los Angeles County. The United States Census Bureau found that from 2017-2021, 58% of people over the age of five living in Los Angeles spoke a language other than English at home. Learning a new language allows you to connect with others that call the city home, further personal and professional goals, make new friendships, and become part of a language-learning community. Language skills refer to those skills used in mastering a language, including skills related to reading, writing, listening, and speaking. When learning a new language, it helps to have an instructor that can guide your learning, answer questions, correct your pronunciation, and provide personal feedback. Read on to learn about the best language skills classes in Los Angeles.
Why You Should Learn Language Skills in Los Angeles
Learning language skills in Los Angeles opens doors to new opportunities in your personal and professional life. The city’s diversity makes it an especially useful and immersive place to learn a new language. Here are a few reasons why you should learn language skills in Los Angeles.
- Immersion: An estimated 50% of Los Angeles residents speak a second language. The city’s diversity, including neighborhoods such as Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Little Ethiopia, Little Armenia, Thai Town, and more provide opportunities for you to practice a new language in an immersive environment, all without leaving the city. Immersion is critical to gaining fluency in any language, and being able to use language skills outside the classroom will help you retain what you learn.
- Diversity of Languages: With more than 200 languages spoken in LA, you can connect with native and fluent speakers of almost any language you wish to learn. The city’s multicultural makeup also means you are more likely to find classes taught by native speakers no matter which language you are interested in learning.
- Cultural Events: Festivals and events throughout LA provide an opportunity to hear different languages and deepen your understanding of the culture tied to the language. Such events are also a fun and memorable way to practice your language skills, socialize with others, and engage with the community.
- Practicality: Learning a new language is not only interesting and exciting, but highly practical in a multilingual city like Los Angeles. Learning a widely-spoken language can help you converse with clients, expand your business, and offer many professional opportunities. It can also enrich your personal life by allowing you to form connections with other locals.
In-Person Language Skills Classes in Los Angeles
In-person language skills classes in Los Angeles offer expert guidance from a fluent instructor and provide the opportunity to learn alongside classmates. In-person instruction is the most traditional way of learning a new language and one that remains extremely effective. This is because a fluent instructor understands not only the use of the language, but how to teach the language in a structured way. An instructor guides the class’s development of language skills by establishing foundational skills and building upon those gradually, taking students from beginner to fluency step by step.
In-person language skills classes also provide the opportunity to converse with classmates, form new friendships, network, and become part of a community that shares your interests. Working with classmates is an effective way of practicing speaking and listening skills, engaging in interactive activities, and studying with others.
Coucou Los Angeles teaches French classes in the Silver Lake area. Beginner-friendly classes include Intro to French and French 1: Débutant. The Intro to French class serves a shorter introduction to the language and the Coucou curriculum, consisting of four sessions. French 1: Débutant is a longer beginner’s course consisting of ten sessions. Small class sizes enable teachers to provide students with individualized feedback and make it easy to get to know your fellow language learners. In addition to classes, Coucou Los Angeles hosts social events that immerse you in the French language. Past events have included French book clubs, wine tastings, and their ongoing café conversations workshops.
If you are interested in taking a beginner-friendly Spanish course, Santa Monica College in Malibu offers a Beginning Spanish - Level 1 class for adult students. Spanish is one of the most commonly spoken languages in Los Angeles and there are several native speakers and fluent speakers. Spanish’s influence on Los Angeles dates back centuries to its founding as a city under the Spanish Governor Felipe de Neve and is evident in the city’s name, which is Spanish for “The Angels.”
Another language commonly spoken in LA is Chinese. Chinese citizens first arrived in the city in the 1850’s. Over time, the Chinese population in Los Angeles grew, forming a cultural presence in the city that continues to this day. East Los Angeles College’s Chinese for Everyday Life class for teens and adults prepares students for basic conversation by teaching modern Chinese vocabulary, helping students gain the skills to navigate everyday conversations and daily life in the language.
Virtual Language Skills Classes
In-person language classes come with many advantages, but aren’t always right for everyone. If you have a busy schedule, can’t find a class at a convenient location, travel frequently, or just want to skip the LA traffic, you may want to consider online language skills classes. Virtual language classes taught by an instructor offer similar benefits as those that come with in-person classes. Both types of classes provide structured learning from a fluent speaker, allow you to converse and engage with classmates, and offer real-time feedback and answers to your questions. Online classes also allow you to choose from classes around the world, giving you the flexibility to find a class that fits your goals, budget, and schedule. The one drawback to an online language class is that you will be connecting with students from different areas, so your class may not provide the local connections that an in-person class provides.
ABC Languages offers virtual classes for varying levels of proficiency. If you are interested in learning a new language, but not sure about committing to a recurring class, ABC Languages’ “Intro to Crash Course” classes are single-session courses that give you a taste of what a recurring class would entail. These courses are available in French, Spanish, Italian, German, and more and cost between $50-55 each. ABC Languages also offers private classes and online language classes in Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Korean, Japanese, Persian, and more.
Private Group Language Skills Classes in Los Angeles
Businesses and organizations looking to improve communications with diverse clients, enter new markets, or simply participate in a unique team-building experience can book private group language skills classes in Los Angeles. Learning a new language together can deepen cooperation and trust between coworkers while also teaching useful language skills. Live online classes are especially convenient for businesses with remote workers or employees in various locations.
You can book one of CourseHorse’s existing group classes or arrange a customized private language class by reaching out through their contact form. CourseHorse supports multiple platforms, allows you to change your group number if plans change, and does not charge a booking fee. You also get a prompt response, receiving confirmation of your booking within 24 hours. To learn more about private language class options, please reach out through CourseHorse’s contact form.