Do you want your child to learn a new language? There are numerous language classes available in Bridgewater that are easily accessible. Let us show you some of our favorite local language programs for kids.

What Are the Advantages of Learning Another Language?

girl in purple and black long sleeve shirt holding black pen writing on white paper by Carl Jorgensen is licensed with Unsplash License 

Acquiring a second language has numerous lifelong advantages. Children who learn a new language are better equipped for the global job market and can positively impact their communities. Children can converse with individuals from different countries when they know a foreign language and develop a better understanding and admiration for other cultures. Additionally, it fosters respect for and knowledge of diverse cultural practices and perspectives.

You can reap these benefits at any age, but learning another language as a young child has even more advantages. Young brains are in their most flexible stage, making learning a new language simpler for the student. Compared to adults who are hardwired to consider grammar rules consciously, children find it easier to comprehend the complexities of language, including sounds, patterns, and grammar.

Learning a new language boosts your child’s brainpower, allows them to be more creative, and gives them skills they’ll draw on in school and beyond. Fortunately, you have many options if you’re looking for language classes for your kids close to home.

French Class at French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF)

Want your child to learn French? You have a great option close to Bridgewater. Besides the online options it offers, FIAF has a location in Montclair, so you can find a class that fits your family’s needs and schedule.

At FIAF Montclair, your child can join classes or go to a day camp designed to teach them French while they participate in fun activities. The institute created in-person classes and camps for toddlers, kids, and teens for various age groups, with programs available for kids ages 2 to 18. Programs are also available for every language level, from beginners to native French speakers.

If you’d rather not make the trip to Montclair, FIAF offers a range of online classes perfect for introducing your little one to the French language. Kids can connect with a FIAF teacher and other students on Zoom to participate in French lessons and creative activities. FIAF’s online classes for kids are also open to children at all French levels and offered for ages 1 to 18.

Mandarin Class at HudsonWay Immersion School

You can sign your child up for Mandarin classes at HudsonWay Immersion School, located close to Bridgewater in Sterling. The Mandarin language class for kids ages 4 to 7 teaches through arts and crafts, songs, movement, role-playing activities, and games. The after-school immersion class gives kids a setting to practice their Mandarin skills, including speaking, reading, listening, and writing, in a hands-on and interactive environment.

Kids ages 6 and older can also head to HudsonWay Immersion School for after-school Mandarin learning. The immersion model of this beginners Mandarin language class uses projects and themes to facilitate learning through interactive activities and small group practices so kids can discover Mandarin while having fun.

Spanish Class at HudsonWay Immersion School

Easy-to-reach HudsonWay Immersion School also offers similar programs for kids who want to learn Spanish. Hands-on, interactive learning makes delving into Spanish fun for young children. From songs to games and beyond, your child will always have an engaging activity to fire up their brain and get them excited about learning. As with the Mandarin immersion after-school program, HudsonWay Immersion School offers Spanish language classes for kids ages 4 to 6 and 6 and older. It’s a great way to jump-start your child’s language-learning journey without traveling far from home.

Spanish Class at Jump! Immersion

If you want to enroll your child in weekly Spanish classes that cover listening, speaking, reading, and writing, Jump! Immersion’s LEAP program is an excellent choice. The 2023/24 school year program is available for in-person classes at the East Hanover location, making it accessible for Bridgewater residents. The LEAP Spanish class is part of Jump! Immersion’s enrichment program. The Spanish program is ideal for building exposure to and proficiency in the language for children ages 4 to 11. The program lasts nine months, with classes taking place on Saturdays.

Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District World Language Program

If your child is or will be attending school in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, taking language classes when they’re younger will prepare them to excel in its world language program. The program runs from grades five through 12, allowing kids to explore five modern world languages — Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish — and one classical language, Latin. Kids start receiving Spanish instruction in grades five and six, learning foundational concepts such as days of the week, numbers, and greetings while getting exposed to the culture of Spanish-speaking people in various world regions.

As students progress to the seventh and eighth grades, they can continue studying Spanish or choose to learn French, Italian, or Latin instead, receiving daily instruction in their desired language. Students study that same language throughout their two years of middle school.

Once students reach grades nine to 12, they can continue studying the language they studied in middle school or switch to exploring a different language. Language options include Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, or Spanish. Whether your child begins learning a new language at a young age or in fifth grade, our local school district offers an excellent opportunity to aid in their language education.

Ready For Your Child To Learn Another Language?

Here at our Crème de la Crème facility in Bridgewater, we know the value of learning another language. That’s why our well-rounded curriculum includes a Second Language Library, which introduces students to Mandarin and Spanish. Our program lays the foundation for language learning in outside classes and for future learning in elementary, middle, and high school, giving your child a head start as they continue to learn and grow. Contact us today to learn more and sign up for a tour of our learning center.