This directory is to help families find in-person language and world culture programs for East Bay youth.
Interested in exposing your child to world languages and cultures 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
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, Italian, 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
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
Sponsor
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, Middle School, High School
Inspire Behavioral Learning Tutoring and Classes
Student-centered tutoring for Pre-K, TK, K-12, and older students in English Language Arts. Inspiring joy in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Executive function tutoring also helps students improve study skills and self-management to attain mastery and independence. Additional subjects, too
Grades: TK or bridge kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School, High School
Kumon Math & Reading Program
Kumon helps children actively develop critical thinking skills while progressing independently through a carefully crafted curriculum. The Kumon Math and Reading programs cover everything from counting to calculus, and phonemics to Shakespeare for ages 3+. In-person or online.
Grades: TK or bridge kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School, High 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]
