Where to take foreign language classes
They'll still make fun of you, but at least you'll know you tried.
Have you ever wished you would have kept up with the four years of Spanish you took in high school? Have you ever wanted to impress your significant other by ordering a crepe in French? Have you ever wondered what that cute foreign guy was really saying about you?
Well, wonder no more.
Here are some local language schools to get you started on your way to impressing everyone with your worldly sophistication.
Albany Adult Continuing Education
What:: Spanish I, Chinese I
Where: Albany High School, 700 Washington Ave.
Kids: No
Registration: You must register in person. Fall registration is on September 10th and 11th from 6:00PM-9:00PM at the high school.
Contact: 518-462-7292 - The Adult Learning Center or visit http://www.albanyschools.org/ (under Albany Adult Continuing Education)
Note: If language is not your thing, the AACE offers a myriad of other courses like jewelry making and tango lessons. All classes are held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Language Learning Institute
What: French (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Private Tutoring, Intensive, Young Adult, and Mommy and Me)
Italian (Beginner, Intermediate, Private Tutoring)
Kids: Yes
Website: http://www.languagelearninginstitute.com/index.php
Registration: Online.
Contact: Nancy Scarselletta, Director 518-346-7096 or info@albanylanguagelearninginstitute.com
Note: The classes take place in church or community center rooms around Delmar, Albany, and Colonie
Capital Region Language Center
What: Currently offering classes in Spanish, French, German, and Portugese with the possibility of Arabic, Russian, Chinese and ESOL; Group and private classes; Children and adults; Beginning through advanced; Enrichment and tutoring.
Where: Two locations: Ballston Spa and Albany.
Kids: Yes
Registration: Online
Website: http://www.crlcalbany.org/index.aspx
Contact: Phone: (518) 884-HOLA or info@crlcalbany.org
Note: There will be an open house at the Ballston Spa location on Sept. 11 from 6-8pm. They also offer classes for homeschoolers.
Hola La
What: Spanish classes for young children ages 1-8.
Where: All over the Capital Region.
Kids: Yes
Registration: Online.
Website: http://www.hola-la.com/index.htm
Contact: Visit their website. Everything is done online. Specific locations have contact information.
Note: There are sibling discounts and adults and caregivers are free. (If you don't have your own kids, bring someone else's and get a free Spanish lesson!)
Spanish Immersion Workshop
What: Spanish immersion classes for young children ages 4-8.
Where: Loudonville
Kids: Yes
Registration: Online
Website: http://albanyspanishimmersion.biz.nf/
Contact: ad_mendez@yahoo.com
Note: There are sibling discounts and the website is...uh... interesting.
Hudson Valley Community College/Schenectady County Community College
What: Sign Language
Where: At their respective campuses.
Kids: HVCC - No SCCC- Yes
Registration: Online.
HVCC Non-credit course listing: https://www.hvcc.edu/communityed/fall/index.html
SCCC Non-credit course listing: http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/courses/schedule/fall/noncou.html
Contact: Visit the website.
Note: There are plenty of other classes offered here. I suggest the Wilton Cake Decorating Course. Education you can eat.
Chinese Community Center of the Capital District Chinese School
What: Russian...(ok.ok.. Chinese. Just checking.)
Where: Chinese Cultural Center - 11 Avis Dr, Latham
Kids: Yes
Registration: Print out a registration form online.
Website: http://www.albanychineseschool.org/
Contact: principal@albanychineseschool.org
Note: If you have ever wanted to learn Chinese, this is the place to do it. It seems that most of the (27 or more!) classes are geared towards families who speak Chinese already, but there are a few classes for children and adults who are non native speakers. There are also a whole lot of culture classes being offered... although most are for kids. They do offer a drumming course for adults.
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
Also check with your local school district. I'm signed up for a Conversational Spanish course with South Colonie this fall, for example; it's weekly in the evenings for adults.
If you don't want to go to a class, I *highly* recommend the Pimsleur series of audio lessons. Rosetta Stone is popular but I've never seen much value in it; I've heard that Tell Me More is a better approach for learning reading/writing/speaking/listening all at once.
BBC has some language resources online, and of course nothing beats good old flash cards (search the web for pre-compiled sets at various levels).
... said Ellsass on Sep 9, 2009 at 3:44 PM | link
Fantastisk! Dette er veldig nyttig. Jeg har altid oensket aa kunne laere andre spraak, og naa kan jeg gjoere det. Kan du fortelle meg om hvor jeg kan finne en klasse aa laere engelsk?
Tusen takk!
... said Mr. Snappy on Sep 9, 2009 at 4:15 PM | link
Whoa...hold on there viking. Norwegian is a dying language, isn't it? :-)
... said Dawn on Sep 9, 2009 at 4:44 PM | link
Does anyone know a school/institute/center where foreigners can learn English in Albany (or nearby)?
... said Lydia on Mar 27, 2010 at 6:43 AM | link
anyone know about Hebrew classes?
... said daf on Oct 26, 2013 at 11:59 PM | link
There are Irish Language classes at 5:30 on Thursday nights at the Celtic Hall on New Karner Rd! We have a group of about 15 regulars, and we do beginner up to intermediate it's super fun!
... said Bríd on Jun 21, 2018 at 12:03 AM | link