Austin, Texas is a dynamic and culturally rich city, perfect for travelers and language enthusiasts alike. Its unique blend of cultural diversity, music, and educational opportunities makes it an ideal place to immerse oneself in new languages while enjoying all the city has to offer.
Austin is well-known for its live music scene, which plays a crucial role in the city's cultural fabric. With countless venues hosting performances ranging from country to jazz to rock, visitors can enjoy music almost any night of the week in Austin.
Another highlight is Austin's culinary landscape. The city boasts a wide array of food options, from famous BBQ joints to trendy food trucks serving international cuisine. This diverse food scene offers a perfect complement to the cultural experience of learning a new language.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, Austin Texas provides plenty of opportunities to explore nature. Lady Bird Lake is a popular spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking along its scenic trails.
Barton Springs Pool, a natural spring-fed pool, offers a refreshing escape from the Texas heat. Visitors can swim, relax, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while practicing their language skills with fellow visitors.
Austin is home to several prestigious educational institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin. The university’s presence enriches the city’s intellectual environment, attracting scholars and students from around the world.
Language learners can take advantage of the university’s extensive resources, including libraries, cultural events, and language exchange programs. Additionally, the city offers numerous language schools and cultural centers dedicated to teaching a variety of languages.
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The Language House in Austin offers conversational Spanish for many levels, starting with Beginning 1 and all the way up to Advanced Topics. With a focus on immersive learning, the school provides an interactive and engaging environment for adult students (age 21 and up) of all proficiency levels. The instructors at The Language House have extensive teaching experience, ensuring that students receive high-quality instruction and authentic language practice. The director of the school, Virginia Talley, Ph.D., believes that her team's passion, experience and love for Spanish language and culture is the reason they have brought together such a large community of Spanish enthusiasts over the past 5 years.
The curriculum at The Language House is designed to develop all aspects of language proficiency, including speaking, listening, reading, and vocabulary. Group classes are small (maximum of 10 people per class), allowing for personalized attention and ample opportunities for students to practice their language skills in a positive, fun, and effective learning environment. The school also offers private classes for students who are looking for a more customized approach to work on specific goals and contexts at their own pace.
In addition to regular classes, the school offers a number of social events, including weekly informal coffee and conversation groups on Saturday mornings, happy hours, and other special events. They’ve also hosted special events such as a Mexican slang workshop, a cuss words event, cooking classes, game nights, trivia, wine & chocolate tastings for Valentine's Day, holiday parties and more.
The Language House also emphasizes cultural immersion as a key component of its language programs. Students learn about the culture, traditions, and customs of the countries where the language is spoken, enhancing their overall learning experience. The school plans to offer its first immersion program in Oaxaca, Mexico, starting summer of 2025. The program will provide students with the opportunity to learn more about the culture, take classes at a local language school, and practice their language skills in a real-life context.
Live the Language is dedicated to providing high-quality language instruction through immersive and interactive learning experiences. The school offers courses in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Mandarin, catering to students of all ages and proficiency levels. The instructors at Live the Language are native speakers who are passionate about teaching and sharing their culture with students.
The curriculum at Live the Language in Austin is designed to help students develop practical language skills that they can use in everyday situations. Classes are small and personalized, allowing for individualized instruction and plenty of opportunities for students to practice speaking. The school offers a variety of courses, including general language classes, conversational language classes, and specialized programs such as business language and exam preparation.
Live the Language also places a strong emphasis on cultural immersion. Students learn about the culture, traditions, and customs of the countries where the language is spoken, enhancing their overall learning experience. The school organizes cultural events and activities, such as cooking classes, cultural workshops, and language exchange programs, providing students with additional opportunities to practice their language skills and gain a deeper understanding of the culture.
Austin Eco Bilingual School (AEBS), established in 2007, offers high-quality education through the Reggio Emilia approach, a student-centered methodology that uses self-directed, inquiry-based, and experiential learning in environments that encourage relationships. "Our creative program enriches young learners' minds through hands-on experiences, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.", says Mrs. Adriana Rodriguez, School Director.
AEBS serves Nursery, Preschool, and Kindergarten students. Their teachers are native speakers who promote language acquisition through a fun and nurturing environment. AEBS holds the highest accreditations, including IB PYP, NAEYC, and Texas Rising Star, and has partnerships with AISD and United Way.
AEBS fosters efficiency in language acquisition, offering an excellent opportunity for students to develop a sense of connection with their community and environment. Their curriculum is enriched by cultural diversity and attends to the individual needs of each student. They offer a Spanish immersion program until age 4, and for children aged 4 to Kindergarten, the program becomes dual immersion in Spanish and English, also integrating French lessons once a week.
The objective of Austin Eco Bilingual School is to broaden educational horizons through multilingual education (Spanish, English, and French), fostering positive attitudes towards language diversity. Their mission is to develop open-minded global citizens who appreciate multiple cultures, promoting mutual understanding within the school community.
The HOFT Institute in Austin offers a wide range of language courses designed to meet the needs of students from diverse backgrounds. With a team of experienced native-speaking instructors, the HOFT Institute ensures that students receive high-quality language education in a supportive and engaging environment.
The programs at the HOFT Institute are designed to help students develop their language skills in a variety of areas, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The institute offers both full-time English classes for students on an F-1 visa in the US as well as part-time English classes for those who don’t need quite as intensive of an environment. This school is also the only one in Austin that offers a class specifically for non-native speakers interested in entering the medical profession: English for Health Sciences. They also offer test prep for TOEFL, IELTS, and DELE exams.
HOFT understands that cultural immersion in language learning is essential. To foster a sense of community in the school and further immerse students in American culture, the institute offers events and activities such as cooking classes, film screenings, and cultural outings. Not only do these social programs offer students a way to practice the language in real-time, but it also allows them to form relationships with their fellow classmates.
Aston International Academy provides a variety of both English and Spanish language courses designed to meet the diverse needs of each and every student. With a team of experienced and dedicated instructors, Aston International Academy in Austin ensures that students receive high-quality language education in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Aston International offers English programs to meet all needs and schedules. You can choose from intensive, daytime, evening, or weekend programs, or specialized courses for working professionals or exam preparation. The Spanish courses are similarly flexible, as you’re able to choose which days per week you want to attend for a wallet-friendly hourly rate.
This language school in Austin also holds events in the city so that students can meet, mingle, and practice their language skills with other learners in a more casual environment. For example, they’ve put together an “Austin Bucket List” with 30 must-dos across the city for students to explore together.
Austin Spanish Academy (ASA) offers group and private classes for students of all ages and skill levels, taught by professional native Spanish speaking teachers. All classes (group and private) are offered online via video conference with their live teachers. They also offer a few in-person private classes for those who prefer a more customized learning path with an in-person dedicated instructor.
"Our curriculum is based on Immersion, where we work on creating and developing concepts and memories (cognitive and acoustic) in Spanish, as opposed to relying on translation for the acquisition of the language. This is essentially the way we learn our first language, and is the most effective way for lasting language acquisition when you practice and apply your newly acquired Spanish skills." says Ana Wallace, School Director.
For new students, the program typically starts with a brief interview over the phone or video conferencing, where ASA teachers assess the student’s Spanish language level and find the best class match. After trying out the class, ASA follows up with students to make sure the class is the right fit, and make any changes that are needed.
Group classes are small, with no more than 5 students per class and are structured and instructor-led, with focus on personalized interaction. Private classes are one-on-one, and designed to work with you at your own pace and focus on the areas where you need help to advance towards full fluency. Austin Spanish Academy’s classes are taught in Spanish, using English only by exception when it makes sense to clarify a concept.
The English Language Center at the University of Texas offers high-quality English language instruction to students from around the world. The center provides a variety of courses designed to meet the needs of students with different levels of English proficiency, including general English, academic English, and exam preparation courses for TOEFL and IELTS. The instructors at the English Language Center are experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping students achieve their language learning goals.
The English Language Center at UT has two main program offerings: the general English Language Program (ELP) and the Academic English Program (AEP). The ELP is designed for any student or professional who wants to advance their career and academic goals, or simply improve their day-to-day communication in English. The AEP, on the other hand, is a more intensive program designed for students looking to pursue a graduate degree at an institution within the US. They also offer customized programs and CELTA prep.
As part of their offerings in each program, you will attend both core courses and electives, so you’ll be learning things that are actually useful to you. The English Language Center also schedules regular events such as info sessions and “Talk Time” so students can interact with their classmates and practice their skills outside of the traditional classroom.
The American Accent Program specializes in helping non-native English speakers improve their American English pronunciation and accent. The program is designed to cater to individuals from all backgrounds, including professionals, students, and anyone looking to enhance their spoken English skills specifically. The instructors at the American Accent Program are experts in linguistics and phonetics, providing students with personalized instruction to address their specific needs.
The curriculum focuses on key aspects of American English pronunciation, including vowel and consonant sounds, intonation patterns, stress, and rhythm. Students engage in a variety of exercises and activities to practice and refine their pronunciation skills. The program also includes individualized feedback and coaching to help students make significant improvements in their spoken English.
In addition to pronunciation training, the American Accent Program offers courses in public speaking, presentation skills, and communication strategies. These courses are designed to help students build confidence and improve their overall communication abilities in professional and social settings.
New Way Spanish offers innovative and immersive Spanish language courses for learners of all levels. The school’s approach is based on the principles of communicative language teaching, which emphasizes the importance of practical language use in real-life situations. The instructors at New Way Spanish are native speakers who are dedicated to seeing their students succeed in all areas.
The curriculum at New Way Spanish is designed to focus on effective learning strategies, and therefore is divided into 12 different proficiency levels to ensure you’re getting the attention and going at the pace that you need. Before you book your actual classes, students are typically asked to book an intro class with the school director to assess your current level and to learn more about the school’s methodologies. Class sizes are small, with up to 2 students for core classes, so you’ll be getting the individualized approach that you need to succeed.
New Way Spanish also places a strong emphasis on cultural immersion. Students learn about the culture, traditions, and customs of Spanish-speaking countries, enhancing their overall learning experience. The school organizes cultural events and activities, such as cooking classes, cultural workshops, and language exchange programs, providing students with additional opportunities to practice their language skills and gain a deeper understanding of the culture.
Olas Spanish Immersion School is dedicated to providing high-quality Spanish language instruction through immersive and interactive learning experiences. The school offers courses for students of all ages and proficiency levels, from beginners to advanced learners. The native-speaking instructors at Olas Spanish Immersion School bring a wealth of knowledge and passion for teaching.
Most of this language school’s offerings are geared towards children, with different program options for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids of elementary, middle, and high school age. But they haven’t forgotten about the adults! Olas Spanish Immersion School offers a Mommy and Me class (which is also open to fathers and caregivers) so infants can be introduced to the language in a safe and engaging environment. Adult courses are also available at the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels in the afternoons on weekdays and on Saturday mornings.
Olas Spanish Immersion School also emphasizes the importance of cultural immersion in language learning. All of the classes for young learners are complete immersion classes, meaning no English is spoken at all. Their adult courses use a variety of cultural elements, such as Hispanic films, literature, and photography, to support Spanish language learning.
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Enjoy Austin!
Marc Bolh
Founder, VidaLingua
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