Language Courses in San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with more than 100 languages spoken in the homes of its citizens. Since it was founded in 1776 by Spanish colonists, the city has received massive waves of immigration from all over the world. Today, San Francisco’s diverse immigrant communities amount to 35% of the population, according to the 2010 census, and the city supports pro-immigrant policies and services, with the most-spoken languages in the city being English, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, German, and Tagalog.

Those who would like to connect with these diverse communities should certainly learn a second language. Also, this skill will also come in handy when it comes to communicating with tourists who come to San Francisco. Tourism is the single-largest economic sector in San Francisco, receiving the fifth-highest number of international tourists of any city in the U.S. (about 16 million visitors a year!). The top five markets for visitor volume in 2018 were Mexico, China, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, according to the San Francisco Travel Association. If you work in the tourism industry, learning the language of these visitors is a great way of making them feel welcome, meaning they are likely to come back to San Francisco again and again.

Where to Practice Foreign Languages in San Francisco: When you are learning a new language, it is crucial to be able to practice it outside the classroom, and there is no better way to improve your pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and listening and speaking skills than by talking to a native speaker. So, if you would like to put your new language skills to use in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, there are many meet-up groups where you can interact with foreign-language speakers in San Francisco. One of them is SF Bay Area Language Lovers, with more than 5,000 members who are looking to connect with other language enthusiasts and to learn about other cultures, and most importantly, have fun! Another option is the SF Babel: International Language & Culture Exchange group. People from around the world (and locals, too) have joined the group since 2013 to make friends, practice speaking languages, share their culture, and have fun together. This group organizes two meetings every week around the city, so you will certainly be able to join them and further practice what you learn with us at Language Trainers!

Where to Study Foreign Languages in San Francisco: People who are studying to get an advanced level of proficiency and obtain a formal certificate can find many institutions that offer them around San Francisco. Some are higher education establishments, such as the University of San Francisco. This university has several programs, including minors and majors in languages like Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish! Another prestigious option is the City College of San Francisco, whose language department offers full-schedule courses in nine languages. And if you are not interested in obtaining a language degree but still would like to learn a foreign language in the city, there are many language schools and programs that can help you achieve your goal, such as the Language Trainers Preparation Course. This is a program that will guide you to fluency and will help you achieve the proficiency level you require to take an official language exam, so you can start an academic or institutional course or apply for a job or visa. We have native-speaking, professional trainers that will prepare individual classes tailored to your needs, learning style, and schedule. For example, we can help you prepare for an international exam that proves your level of the language you are learning, such as the DALF French government exam which can be taken at the Education Francaise Bay Area on Davis Street.

Language Jobs in San Francisco: After taking a reasonable number of lessons with us, you will be able to use your language skills to get a new international job in San Francisco. The region has a reputation for innovation (for example, it is a world leader in biotech and biomedicine research) and entrepreneurship. Many international companies have their headquarters in the city, such as Hallmark Aviation, SoundHound, Massdrop, Adroll, Twilio, and Lufthansa, and they are always looking to hire bilingual speakers, so knowing a second language will help you stand out when compared to other monolingual candidates. San Francisco also has many international chambers of commerce, including Korean, Spanish, German, and Chinese, that can provide you with opportunities to network with other international entrepreneurs and to connect with foreign businesses in need of employees/partners who can speak the language you have learned.

Language Culture in San Francisco: But the opportunities that come with learning a new language are not only related to business or making new friends. Being a diverse and multicultural city, San Francisco has a lot of themed-cultural events, such as festivals and social activities, that will allow you to discover more about the community that speaks the language you are learning. If you are studying Chinese, for example, you can visit the Tin How Temple on Waverly Place, the oldest Chinese temple in the USA. And if you are learning French, the Alliance Française on Bush St. regularly hosts cultural activities, like film screenings, conversation nights, concerts, conferences, and more! One of the most popular events is French Movie Night, held every Tuesday. And those who are looking to buy books in foreign languages can visit Libreria Pino on Union Street. It has one of the largest collections of foreign language books in San Francisco! Because they buy used books, their selection is continually growing and changing. Immerse yourself in the language you are acquiring by browsing their amazing stock!

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us at Language Trainers today! Booking lessons with us is simple and convenient. Our professional language tutors can go to your home or office, or you can even take your classes in a public place if you prefer. Some options are San Francisco Public Library on Larkin St., Weaver's Coffee & Tea on Market Street, or Atlas Café on 20th St.

And if you do not live in downtown San Francisco but are based in the surrounding areas and still want to learn with us, don’t worry. Our tutors can come directly to you no matter where your location. We have language teachers ready to meet you in Concord, San Jose, Stockton, Cupertino, Santa Rosa, Fairfield, Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, SunnyVale, Santa Clara, Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, and Antioch.

Send us an inquiry today or take one of our many language level tests, so we can assess your current ability and offer you a language package tailored to your skills and requirements!