Interested in exposing your child to world languages and culture other than American English? Lucky you! There are so many places in Oakland, Berkeley, and nearby that will immerse your child in Spanish, Mandarin, French, German, Hebrew, Arabic, and more! There are fully immersive schools (not listed here), free storytimes for little ones, after-school and weekend classes (below), and summer camps to reinforce language goals.
World language & culture classes for East Bay kids
Alliance Française de Berkeley
Sponsor
No prior French experience needed for after-school classes on Fridays from 4 pm to 5:30 for ages 7 to 10 years old. Sessions are about six weeks long. Next one is 4/12/19 for $239. Students learn language skills through games and cooking. Offering private lessons at your home for ages 7 to 18.
Grades: 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade
Bay Language Academy
Bay Language Academy in Alameda offers an array of classes in many languages including English as a second language (ESL), Spanish, French, Mandarin, German, Japanese, Arabic and Korean. Elementary level students are welcome 2, 4 or 5 times a week.
Grades: TK or bridge kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School, High School
Sponsor
California Tamil Association
Tamil language is an ancient South Indian Language with a long history and rich literature and comprehensive grammar. Sunday morning classes include music, dance, drama and any art form based on Tamil language and Tamil culture.
Grades: TK or bridge kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School, High School
East Bay German International School (EBGIS)
Extracurricular classes open to all students who would like to strengthen their German language skills. Focus on literature and drama in German.
Grades: 5th Grade, Middle School, High School
Éducation Française Bay Area (EFBA)
EFBA is a unique French school for children ages from 5 to 14. 90-minute after-school French lessons at several school sites throughout the East Bay which welcome children from non-attending schools.
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School
Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (EBI)
After-school full-immersion Spanish language classes for non-EBI students. Each class incorporates art, storytelling, games and music. Upper level students also learn written Spanish. 10-week sessions held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Grades: TK or bridge kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School
Hanwen School 瀚文學堂
Hanwen offers after-school Chinese program and Mandarin immersion summer camps for Chinese-as-Second Language and heritage language learners. They offer abacus, Chinese art, and other cultural activities.
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade
Hayward Kai-Feng Chinese School
Choose from a full range of Chinese language classes for children ages 5 to 18 on Saturday morning or Tuesday after school.
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School, High School
Kehilla Hebrew School
Kehilla Hebrew School is a kid-centered community of Jewish life and learning where students engage the cultural, historical, spiritual, intellectual, social, artistic, and religious dimensions of their growing Jewish identity. Joyfully Jewish begins in kindergarten.
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School
Netivot Shalom Ketzev
There will be a diversity of Hebrew knowledge among the Ketzev kids and the master teacher will meet each student at their level. Taught Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:45 pm to 5:45 pm during the school year.
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade
Russian Program
Learn Russian language and culture in age-appropriate classes on Saturdays. Sessions are taught during spring and fall semesters.
Grades: TK or bridge kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School
Su Yun’s Chinese Learning Center
Su Yun's Chinese Learning Center is an after-school and summer program that provides Mandarin language instruction along with hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) experiences to reinforce the language and culture.
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade
Viva el Español
Spanish Language and Culture Center serving children in the East Bay offering both a before- and after-school program to teach Spanish to young amigos ages toddlers through grade 8.
Grades: TK or bridge kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School
Yu Ying Learning Center
Yu Ying Learning Center provides a nurturing environment for school age children to foster academic growth, language skills, and social development through enrichment classes taught in Mandarin Chinese 3-5 days per week.
Grades: TK or bridge kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School
See our summer camp guide to find more language and culture camps around the East Bay >
[Photos by Escuela Bilingue Internacional (EBI) and Hayward Kai-Feng Chinese School]
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