There are many benefits to learning a second language, like enabling your child to communicate with people in different languages and developing a better understanding and appreciation of other cultures. In addition, it can improve overall communication abilities, refine problem-solving and critical thinking skills, enhance creativity, and boost academic performance. That’s why Crème de la Crème of Maple Grove has put together this list of six places where you can get your children language classes in and around the Maple Grove area.

International Spanish Language Academy

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The International Spanish Language Academy is a local elementary school that offers Spanish immersion curriculum for kids in Kindergarten to 6th grade. While you can enroll your children in this accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) school, you can also sign them up for Spanish language immersion day camps during the summer. This program is a great way to enhance your student’s Spanish abilities, whether they have previous experience with the language or not.

If your child attends the school, they can participate in the full-day camp activities. But if your child does not attend the school and is an incoming kindergartner or 1st grader, they can join the half-day sessions. Each camp has a theme, such as animals, sports, and environmental conservation. All the while, they learn Spanish in an immersive atmosphere, thanks to the experienced teachers at ISLA, while also learning other fun concepts.

O’Neill Language Academy

The O’Neill Language Academy creates easy-to-use teaching materials for daycares, homeschools, and elementary schools, but they also host online virtual lessons through their family Virtual Spanish Membership program. With this program, you can access the fun, interactive weekly lessons for your kids to watch. The virtual classes include puppet shows, songs, games, and cultural activities you and your kids can complete at home. In addition, you’ll get access to downloadable flashcards and activity sheets to help keep your kids learning all week long between lessons.

Sylvan Learning Center

Sylvan Learning Center is one of the country’s best tutoring centers where your children can get extra one-on-one help outside the classroom in subjects that they may be struggling with. While Sylvan Learning Center is a great place for math and reading help, they also offer homework help and tutoring in both French and Spanish. 

However, your children should be enrolled in a foreign language class at school because the tutors at Sylvan Learning Center actually use the content of your children’s textbooks to structure lessons. The lessons primarily focus on helping students work on concepts and skills that are challenging to them, such as grammar, vocabulary, and verb conjugation, and complete tough homework assignments.

While the lessons are based on your child’s current curriculum, Sylvan Learning Center tutoring sessions can provide your child with much-needed one-on-one attention to keep improving.

Germanic American Institute

The Germanic American Institute is a local cultural organization in St. Paul that aims to promote the German language and culture in the community. This organization offers German language classes for both kids and adults at every level, so your whole family can learn German together, which helps everyone get more practice and better absorb the language.

The German for Kids class is for ages 10 to 16, and there’s a beginner class for kiddos with no prior experience with German and the advanced class for pre-teens who have completed the beginner class or speak some German. Then, there’s the German for Teens class, which is for students 13 years old and up. There are three levels for the teens: beginner for kids with no previous experience with German, intermediate for students with one to two years of German practice under their belt, and advanced for students who have been speaking German for more than three years.

If you have preschool-aged kids, you can access the Kinderstube German@home online enrichment program. This weekly program teaches the foundations of German language through fun, interactive activities and virtual recorded lessons. And you and your little student meet with an instructor to assess your child’s language skills to keep them on track.

Alliance Française Minneapolis-St. Paul

The Alliance Française is a local French cultural organization in Minneapolis that hosts cultural events and offers language classes to members of the community. Here, you and your children can both enroll in French language classes, no matter your previous experience with the language. 

Kids as young as 18 months old can take classes as this organization offers classes for three age groups: ages 1 to 6 years old, ages 7 to 9 years old, and ages 9 to 12 years old. These classes teach French using age-appropriate songs, games, stories, and other activities. Classes are offered on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings. 

In addition to these classes, your kids can practice their French skills by joining one of the organization’s clubs. Kids ages 4 to 8 years old can join Les Petits Penseurs, “the Little Thinkers,” where they read and discuss stories in French. Teens will love Les Djeunes where they have movie nights, game nights, cooking classes, and field trips with a focus on practicing French and having fun with friends. The organization also hosts free movie nights where they show kid-friendly French movies and give out popcorn.

Online Language Learning Options

You can use sites like Take Lessons and Thumbtack to find language tutors around the Maple Grove area who provide in-person and virtual lessons to kids and adults. These sites connect you with professional language teachers and tutors who work independently. View tutor and teacher profiles to see what languages they provide, what their experience and credentials are, and check that they’ve had a background check and completed a vetting process.

You can also sign your child up for small language classes through Berlitz. This language education company provides live virtual classes, virtual private tutoring, online conversation groups, and virtual summer camps. 

At Crème de la Crème of Maple Grove, we incorporate language learning into our curriculum, too. Your children can learn Spanish and sign language as well as improve their English with our language arts lessons. Contact us to learn how our daycare, afterschool programs, and camps can help your children thrive.