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It is common for most people to learn a new language at some point in their lives. For much of Western history, language learning meant studying Latin or Ancient Greek. Latin used to be the language of law, literature, and the Christian religion, though educational standards would shift in the 1700s and 1800s when more modern languages started to be taught. For much of the history of language education, students were instructed to memorize grammar and vocabulary, and language classes were less concerned with imparting a sense of the culture, place, or history behind specific languages.

These days, people learn new languages not only in school but for their careers, to travel, or to develop a new interest or hobby. Modern language learning will also focus on teaching students important grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary along with giving learners plenty of practice reading, writing, and conversing with others in the language being learned. Because today’s learners have more diverse needs, one can find a greater variety of classes that will teach languages for specific purposes. One can find classes that will teach medical professionals how to become conversant with patience in a certain language, for instance, or that will give travelers important phrases, words, and culturally specific information they need to adapt well to being in a new place and interacting with the local population.

Why Learn a Language?

There are many reasons why someone might pursue learning a new language. Many people need to learn a new language to progress or succeed in their careers. Those who want to work in diverse communities with multilingual people often need to become conversant in another language. This is true of medical professionals, for instance, who need to be able to communicate with a variety of patience from different walks of life as well as those in social work, retail, or customer service who may also need to converse effectively in other languages to do their jobs well. Additionally, professionals in business or sales may find themselves transferred to another country and need to learn the local language to succeed in their overseas office.

Outside of professional reasons, many people learn a new language for personal reasons. It is common for those who want to travel to new places to consider learning another language. This can help someone to navigate a new place and to converse with the locals they will meet while traveling. Learning a new language can also become a new interest or hobby. Even for those who do not have a specific intended use for learning a new language, it can be fun to learn about another culture and another form of communication. It can even help someone to become a better speaker of their native language, as language courses will teach students to identify parts of speech and language structures, in general.

Learning a new language can also be something that individuals pursue to maintain links to their ancestry or communicate with others around them. Language is an essential part of culture and community and many people seek out learning a new language to maintain or renew ties with friends and family or to explore an aspect of the culture of their ancestors. In the US, many cities large and small are mixed-language communities and it is common for someone who wants to meet new people or join a new community to learn a new language as part of this process.

What You’ll Learn in a Language Class?

While what one learns in a language class will depend on the specific class, most language classes will teach the basic grammar and structure of a language, common words and phrases, and correct, region-specific pronunciation. Beginning language classes focus on making the underlying structure of a language’s parts of speech and grammatical rules clear to learners. Students will work on learning basic and common vocabulary so that they can understand and begin to communicate with others using short, declarative sentences. If one is learning a language in a non-Roman script, like Mandarin, Arabic, or Cyrillic languages, one can expect to learn how to write out letters, sounds, and phrases in this new script and alphabet, as well.

Often, those in a beginning language course will also be learning pronunciation, as learners will practice speaking or writing out sentences during the class. In instructor-led classes, students will be writing in a new language and practicing speaking the language with partners and in small groups. This practice will allow one’s skills to develop over time and it will also provide learners with a framework that they can use to study their new language outside of the class. Learning to become proficient in a new language or even to become fluent will take a lot of dedicated time and effort, so students should expect to practice words, phrases, regular and irregular grammatical structures, writing, and speaking both in and outside of class.

Many beginning and intermediate classes will often focus on teaching learners to become conversational in a specific language. These classes will likely focus on getting learners to practice speaking and speaking in a way that would be recognizable to a contemporary population in a specific region of the world. Conversation-focused classes are more likely to allow learners to speak about real-world situations and can be useful for those who want to use their new language in daily life or to travel to a new place and speak with others who know the language. By contrast, one can also find reading-only language classes where the focus is not on speaking or pronouncing works correctly, though these classes are mainly for those working in academics or other professions where one’s research might involve encountering and needing to read another language.

In addition to the language itself, language classes will strengthen one’s communication skills. Language is communication and learning a language will allow someone to learn new ways to communicate with others both in the class and outside of it. Learning a new language can also allow one to learn more about a new culture or way of living. This knowledge will also sharpen someone’s communication skills as they can more easily communicate with those who are already a part of that culture, making it a very useful skill for frequent travelers or those living in diverse, mixed-language communities.

How Long Will It Take to Learn a Language?

How long it takes to learn a language depends on your skill level, how often you practice, why you’re learning a language, and which language you are learning. Those who are only interested in learning basic phrases, greetings, directions, and important vocabulary for travel purposes can learn enough in a few weeks or months to be able to make traveling and speaking to others easier and more manageable. Adults who are learning a new language should expect that it will take between six months to a year to become proficient and generally conversational in a language. One will need to frequently practice speaking, reading, or writing in the language to gain a basic understanding of it. To become a fluent speaker, one should expect to spend at least two to three years studying and practicing a new language.

There are certain conditions where it can take less time to learn a new language. Those who already have some experience with the language (from previous classes, traveling, or interacting with others who speak it) will have an easier time becoming proficient. Some languages are also easier to learn than others. Languages like Dutch, Italian, French, and Spanish are considered easier to learn because they have more consistent and easy-to-understand grammar and structures in comparison to other languages such as Arabic, Russian, or Hindi.

What Are the Advantages of Taking a Language Class?

One of the main advantages of taking a language class is the ability to learn from an expert speaker who is fluent in the language you want to learn. Learning from native or expert speakers allows students to benefit from guided, hands-on training in a new language. In-person and live online language classes will also allow students to hear the correct pronunciation from a fluent instructor. This is especially useful for those hoping to learn how to speak with others in a new language, as pronunciation can be hard to decipher from just reading words on a page and will vary by specific region.

Language classes will allow learners to practice their skills and receive individualized feedback. This is an important benefit to enrolling in an in-person or live online language class, as students need to practice a language to learn it effectively and be able to use it. Taking an instructor-led class will offer learners the opportunity to test and practice the vocabulary and grammar they are learning and receive feedback on their skills. These kinds of classes should give learners a good idea of what they need to continue to practice on their own or during the course of the class and they allow participants to keep improving upon and building their skills over time.

Taking a language class also allows one to learn a language in a more structured way and alongside other students engaged in the same endeavor. It can be hard to find the right learning materials when teaching oneself a language, which is why it can be useful to take a class that is teaching students based on tested and proven course materials. Enrolling in a class with other students will not only allow students to learn in a supportive environment, but it can keep students motivated. Learning a language on one’s own is more difficult because there is no one pushing you to stay on track and complete the course, as there would be during an in-person or live online language class.

Best Language Classes in All Areas

One of the top language-learning courses in New York City is ABC Languages’ French—Total Beginner class. ABC Languages is an independent language school based in NYC that also offers classes in San Francisco and online. This French class is great for those looking to learn basic grammar, vocabulary, and conversational French. Expert French instructors will guide students through the grammar and structure of the French language while allowing students to have ample time to practice conversing with others in this small class so that they can practice skills, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Classes will be held for 90 minutes over the course of eight interactive sessions. After completing French I, students will be able to move on to other levels of French if that is desired.

Beautiful Mandarin offers private, two-hour tutoring sessions for adults in their Adult Mandarin Class. This NYC-based school aims to offer a variety of private and group-based Chinese Mandarin classes for adults and children. Their Adult Mandarin Class is a private, two-hour class session where participants can receive personalized instruction in Mandarin based on their skill level and needs. This private tutoring session is a great option for both beginning Mandarin learners and more advanced learners. Beginners will find it useful to receive an individualized introduction to this language while more advanced learners can practice conversing with a native speaker or receive more specialized instruction tailored to their personal or professional needs for learning Mandarin. Those interested can sign up for singular private sessions offered on various days and times.

Los Angeles City College offers language classes for those in Los Angeles like the Spanish Conversation & Pronunciation (Level 1) class. Los Angeles City College is a public community college that also provides individual language classes for anyone interested in learning a new language. This level 1 Spanish class aims to provide learners with a solid foundation in the basics of Spanish communication. An expert instructor will teach students Spanish vowel sounds, the alphabet, numbers, common phrases, and formal versus informal speech constructions. This interactive class takes place over five Saturday class sessions that are two and a half hours each, giving participants time to learn important features of Spanish and practice them with other students. By the end of the class, students should expect to have learned everything they need to know about grammar and pronunciation to hold simple conversations in Spanish about one’s daily activities.

Another top language class in the Los Angeles area is Coucou Los Angeles’ Intro to French class. Coucou is a French language school in the LA area that aims to teach French language and culture to learners at all skill levels. This Intro to French class is designed for those with little knowledge of the French language or language learning, in general, and it is a more paired-down version of their standard level 1 French course. In five 90-minute sessions, this class will cover some French basics like greetings, simple phrases, numbers, and days of the week but will not cover French grammar in a detailed way. Someone looking to become familiar with French in preparation for traveling to France or other French-speaking countries would find this course particularly useful. Those looking for more intensive, comprehensive, or higher-level classes should consider enrolling in one of Coucou’s standard curriculum French classes.

Language learners in Chicago should consider classes offered by the Discovery Center such as their Italian Language—Beginner class. The Discovery Center is an adult education program in Chicago that offers a variety of classes and workshops for those looking to start a new career or pursue a new hobby. Their Italian Language—Beginner course is geared towards immersing students in Italian over the course of six 90-minute class sessions. An expert instructor will guide students through learning Italian grammar, vocabulary, and conversation skills in this intensive class. Both those looking to travel to Italy and those looking to learn Italian for fun will be interested in this class. Participants will need to pay a materials fee at the start of this course and will receive course materials during the second session of the class.

Those in the Denver, Colorado area will be interested in courses offered for beginners and more advanced learners by the Colorado Free University such as Spanish Language 1. The Colorado Free University is a lifelong learning school that offers many classes on a variety of topics with their Spanish Center being their most popular language program. In this conversation-focused Spanish class, students will have a chance to practice and reinforce important aspects of Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This class is an intermediate-level course, meaning that students should have already taken Spanish 1 and 2 or have an equivalent level of knowledge as they will need to have a working knowledge of present tense verb endings and ser and estar verb conjugations. An expert instructor will guide students through interactive lessons over five sessions that are each 85 minutes long. The cost of the course is inclusive and students will receive a workbook and audio files for use in practicing their Spanish skills.

Live Online Language Classes

One of the top live online language learning options is Hyperfluent’s Spanish 1 Fundamentals class. Hyperfluent is a language learning school that offers a variety of classes for learners at all levels. This Spanish 1 Fundamentals class is a private beginner-level tutoring session where students will work one-on-one with an expert instructor to learn Spanish basics. Students can expect to learn common greetings and how to discuss hobbies, food, directions, and time. Tutoring sessions will focus on reading, writing, and pronunciation skills, depending on the learner’s goals and needs. Hour-long tutoring sessions can be scheduled in the mornings, afternoons, or early evenings and there are discounts available for those who purchase class packages of 5,10, or 15 sessions. Along with enrolling in this course, participants will attend a free 10-minute consultation to discuss their language learning needs.

For those looking to learn about a language and its culture, consider the French Institute Alliance Française’s regular French A1 Beginner Level 1 class. French Institute Alliance Française, now known as L’Alliance, is an NYC-based French cultural center aiming to promote the French language and culture in the US. This A1 level 1 class is geared toward those with no experience speaking French who want to learn more about the language and culture of France. Native speakers will guide students through the structure of the French language so that students can become conversational in everyday French. Students can expect to learn common phrases, greetings, and vocabulary as well as how to discuss one’s self, one’s family, and one’s daily activities. In addition to learning the language, those in this class will learn about French customs, personality traits, and the French lifestyle. This 20-session course is the non-accelerated version, so learners will not feel rushed when spending 30 hours learning French as a new language.

Another great remote learning option is ABC Languages SF’s Turkish Total Beginner class. ABC Languages SF is the San Francisco location of ABC Langauge’s independent language school, a school that offers both in-person language classes in California and live online options that anyone can enroll in. This Turkish class is for those with no experience or background speaking Turkish. Expert instructors will teach students basic Turkish grammar, important vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation skills. Not only will students be learning how to hold basic conversations in Turkish, but students should also expect to receive an introduction to writing and reading in Turkish. Class sizes are kept small in this beginner class and one can expect to learn alongside two to six students over Zoom. Classes with two students will be held over eight 60-minute sessions and classes with three to six students will take place over eight 90-minute sessions.

Those working in healthcare will be interested in the more targeted live online Spanish for Medical Professionals class offered by Los Angeles City College. Los Angeles City College is a public community college with both in-person and live online courses on a variety of topics. Those looking to have better communication with their Spanish-language patience will be interested in this class which covers not only Spanish grammar basics but how to take patient registration information and label human anatomy in both Spanish and English. An expert instructor will guide students through learning Spanish and practicing how to speak with patience in realistic, healthcare-related situations in this class. This class takes place over 12 two-hour-long sessions scheduled in the evenings to accommodate working professionals.

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Learn More About Language Courses

Why Learn a Language?

What You’ll Learn in a Language Class?

How Long Will It Take to Learn a Language?

What Are the Advantages of Taking a Language Class?

Best Language Classes in All Areas

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