10 Classes to Learn a New Language in NYC

Speaking more than one language can prove to be particularly useful, not only when traveling, but also when applying for jobs, so we wanted to take a look at some classes to learn a new language in NYC.

There are so many uses to learning new languages, of course, although the two above are quite important. Think of it this way: you go to an interview and they ask if you speak any other language than English because the job would work really well for someone who also knew French or Spanish. Or perhaps you’re already working somewhere and a job opportunity opens up abroad, paid very well, and yet you don’t know the language. Or perhaps you have a foreign business partner that you’d impress by speaking their language.

Whatever the reasons you have to want to learn a new language, this list of the best language classes in NYC should do you good. You might also be interested in taking on these 6 Armenian language classes in NYC if that’s something you’d like to learn.

In order to create our list today, we took a look at Class Curious, a site where you can find all types of classes, from cooking to arts, from photography to languages. We also used good old Google to search for more classes, looking for the best and most varied selection. From the best Spanish classes in NYC to everything else, we tried to bring you a diverse list of programs. In the end, we split the tuition cost by the number of hours per each course to see how much learning that foreign language actually costs per hour, and then ranked them all by that.

Without further ado, here are 10 classes to learn a new language in NYC.

10. SLC

Tuition: $250
Language: American Sign Language
We thought that among all the foreign languages you might be interested to learn, sign language would also fit. It’s not what would first pop into your head when thinking about this topic, but it’s certainly something that could prove useful.

The Sign Language Center offers multiple courses that will have you learn the American Sign Language and Deaf Culture, develop ASL Structure, syntax, and grammar, learn numbers and other things that will help you communicate with other people using the same language.

The 6-week course costs $250 and you’ll also have to pay a $25 fee for online notes. If you want to enroll for multiple semesters, you can do that too and there are incremental discounts for it.

Private classes are also available, but the tutoring fees are a lot steeper, running at $100 per hour for single sessions, and coming down to $75 per hour for 18 sessions. The Sign Language Center is located between Madison and Park Avenue.

9. Italiano Italia

Tuition: $525
Language: Italian
Over in Manhattan you can find the Italiano Italia classes, which offers not only group courses, but also private lessons, tutoring and so on, covering all language levels.

An 8-week Italian course costs $525, plus $10 for materials and registration. Each class only hosts 5 students so you’ll get to have a lot more help than you would in a larger class. Once you have a bare minimum knowledge of the language you can take part in workshops on art, literature, fashion, music, gastronomy, cinema, psychology, and so on. These all cost $65. The best part, however, is that you’ll engage in actual conversation, which will improve your skills.

8. Hills Learning

Tuition: $379
Language: Cantonese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai

How about something a little more oriental this time around? Over at the Highly Interactive Language Learning Services (Hills), located near Grand Central station, you can learn Cantonese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Thai.

They have classes for different levels, and they all cost $379. The course lasts for 8 weeks, meeting for 1.5 hours every week to learn the languages. Classes generally take place in the evening, but there are also morning and afternoon options for Saturdays. There’s also a textbook you need to pay for that’s not included in the tuition.

Classes have a minimum of 3 students and maximum 7, which means you’ll get to learn quite a bit since there are so few people in the class.

7. CitySpeak

Tuition: $395
Language: French, Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, Arabic
Over in Manhattan, there’s CitySpeak, which offers classes in multiple languages, such as German, Mandarin, Arabic, or French, to name a few.

Each class lasts for 8 weeks, 2 hours dedicated each week to class and costs $395. The classes are tailored to everyone’s level of knowledge and are generally held in the evening hours so you can attend even after you’ve left work. There are two locations in New York City you can choose from, so make sure to pick the one most convenient for you – one in Raleigh, one in the Upper West side and one in Midtown.

If you want, you can even take a few trial class and see if this is something that might suit your schedule and your needs. Private and corporate lessons are also available for those who need them.

6. Brazil Ahead

Tuition: $552
Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Planning a trip to the wonderful country of Brazil? Then you should probably brush up on your Brazilian Portuguese or start learning it from scratch, depending on the situation.

The location offers classes for English or Spanish speakers. Each program consists of four courses, each lasting for 12 weeks and taking you from tourist-level to citizen-worthy skills.

Each course costs $552 and involves 24 hours across eight weeks of classes. Once that first “tourist” class is done, the next ones only last for two hours each week. There’s also an additional $75 fee for materials.

5. Turkish Connexion

Tuition: $330
Language: Turkish
If you’ve ever wanted to learn to speak Turkish, this is your chance. Over at the Turkish Connexion on West Broadway, you can learn how to speak the language in no time, as well as to read and write.

Group courses spread over 8 weeks, with each class lasting 2 hours, and costing $330. Private lessons are also available for $60 per hour if you want to take on even more.

4. Fluent City

Tuition: $399
Language: Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Hebrew
If you want to learn one of many languages, such as Russian, Japanese, or Italian, you can choose Fluent City.

Here, you’ll find group classes that have you attending for two hours once a week, for 10 weeks, for $399. There are also intensive classes, with two weekly meetings for $699. If you’re unsure of your skill level, you can take an easy online test and see where you stand.

There are multiple locations across New York City available, such as SOHO, Midtown East, Williamsburg, Times Square, or Downtown Brooklyn.

3. French Language Salon

Tuition: $360
Language: French

Over at the French Language Salon, you can learn how to speak the language of love to perfection.

They offer courses fit for any skill level, starting with beginners and building up to experts. Everyone can choose if they can attend one class week for 10 weeks or two classes per week for five weeks, depending on how much free time you all have. There is also the option to attend twice a week for 10 weeks and pay $660. Otherwise, the other type of classes cost $360.

2. Learn Spanish

Tuition: $320
Language: Spanish

Over at Learn Spanish New York, you can, obviously, learn to speak this very old language, directly from native speakers. They follow a method where each class is spoken only in Spanish so you can learn faster. As they say, the fastest way to learn a language is to travel there.

Courses last 20 hours spread over multiple days and cost $320. There are also other classes where you’ll learn specific things you may be interested in, such as numbers, family notions and descriptions, or another where you’ll learn to do proper greetings and offer basic instructions.

1. Tenri

Tuition: $200
Language: Japanese

Finally, at the top of our list we have Tenri, the Cultural Institute of New York. This is a nonprofit organization hoping to help people learn not only the Japanese language but also more about the culture, playing host for cultural programs.

The place also offers language lessons, with classes lasting 2 hours and going on for 7 weeks. The tuition reaches $200 for the 14 hours amassed in the classes. You start off with beginner lessons, build up to the basic level, intermediate, and advanced.

There are also classes for children for the same price. The tuition doesn’t include materials or registration fees, so you’ll have to take those into consideration too.

That being said, these have been 10 classes to learn a new language in NYC.