I've wanted to learn French for years. It always seemed out of reach. I took Spanish in high school…read moreand thought the only way I could learn another language was in a "traditional" school setting. Wow was I wrong. I have one week left in my Beginning 1A French class with Freestyle Languages and feel like I've already learned more than I did in all of high school. I am able to talk about myself, the weather, what I like and don't like to eat, the sports I play, my hobbies - how cool is that? My ultimately dream of becoming fluent in French and moving to Paris doesn't seem out of reach anymore. If you're wanting to learn another language, I HIGHLY recommend Freestyle Languages.

I self-studied French on and off for two years before deciding to take a formal class. I don't live…read morein Austin, but I was aware of Freestyle through an Instagram account they run (@frenchphraseoftheday), and checked them out after they started offering virtual classes because of covid. I had a pretty large vocabulary but really wanted to improve my speaking and understanding of different tenses. I've gotten both of those things and a lot more. We're about halfway through the semester and I'm already sad at the thought of it being over!! My teacher, Gloria, is patient and encouraging, and I really like the other students. My speaking has gotten a LOT better and more colloquial. The classes are held twice a week with an optional practice "café" on Saturdays. Every week is focused on a different theme: food, giving directions, etc. The classes are on Zoom, which means there is the occasional technical glitch, but mostly they run smoothly. The only drawback is that it's clear some of the fun events they now have to hold virtually, like movie screenings and happy hour, just aren't the same online. But I'm glad I get to attend them at all, because I couldn't if they were held in person. It's been a lot of fun and I look forward to every class and conversation.

Los Amigitos is absolutely magical. The combination of nature, Spanish, music, community and values…read morereally couldn't be better. Plus, the team is so thoughtful about the curriculum, pushing the kids to learn in creative, authentic ways. My son comes home every day exhausted. When I open his lunchbox, I am always surprised to find a new object or new type of dirt in there. To me, that variety signals a variety in experience and a freedom to explore. His Spanish skills have blossomed since joining the school, he does some pretty advanced yoga moves, and he is now an expert on olive trees (due to his recent presentation on the topic!) Overall, I feel so grateful that this place is in my community and that it's part of our life. If you have the chance to send your kid here, you really shouldn't miss it.

After researching, interviewing, and visiting almost every Spanish immersion preschool/kindergarten…read morein the Central & North Austin area, we finally settled on Los Amiguitos. One year later, we know we made the right decision and feel lucky to have been part of such an amazing school. Lila and her staff approach early childhood education from an emotional intelligence standpoint that aligns with our attitudes and understanding of how every child deserves to be treated. This approach fosters creativity and autonomy in children, while also supporting their budding relationships with both people and nature. The classroom education at Los Amiguitos is only used to enhance what is learned in the outdoor classroom. Our son, who has a natural need to move while learning, was able to remain in-tune with what his body was feeling and to not suppress it in order to follow arbitrary classroom etiquette. We also believe this improved his ability to recognize and communicate his own boundaries while interacting with classmates and teachers. Childhood safety was addressed early and maintained throughout the year. This was very important for us. Not surprisingly, the community that gravitates towards Los Amiguitos is full of like-minded parents, who value the same pedagogical preferences for their children. After 15 years in Austin, we made more friends in the one year that our son was at Los Amiguitos than we did the 14 years previous . We credit this to the fact that, not only did the school attract like-minded parents, but it also provided activities that gave us the opportunity to meet and interact with the school's families inside and outside of the classroom. The highlight activity of the year for us was a campout trip that most of the school took. We did nature walks, campfire sing-alongs, potluck cookouts, and star gazing. We found that the children mostly spoke English to each other at school, but every child-teacher interaction takes place in Spanish. This means that, although Spanish production isn't the primary emphasis of the school, Spanish intake and comprehension remained consistent, which enables our son to converse more or less naturally when spoken to in Spanish. Seeing our child flourish in nature while building up his social skills, especially after coming out of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, was exactly what we needed and we found it in Lila's school. We are very grateful to her and to the wonderful teachers -- Natalia, Gabriela, Andrea. We highly recommend Los Amiguitos to parents looking for an excellent nature-based, Spanish immersion school for their children.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this privately owned and locally operated French School…read moreof Austin - École Jean-Jacques Rousseau! This school is truly a hidden gem in the Austin area. From the moment you step onto the campus, you feel the warmth, structure, and passion that the teachers and staff bring every single day. Furthermore, the wonderful owners of this school are incredibly engaged, very hands-on, and extremely committed to the academic excellence of each student. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the academic contributions that EJJR continues to provide to my children, day in and day out. The curriculum is top-notch, blending rigorous academics with a nurturing environment that allows children to thrive. This French immersion program is absolutely incredible -- my child is picking up the language so naturally, and it amazes me to hear them switch between French and English with ease. On top of that, EJJR even offers the option to learn a third language -- Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin -- which is such a rare and valuable opportunity for young children! What I love most is the personalized attention this school passionately demonstrates. The teachers truly know each child, their strengths, and where they can be encouraged to grow. The small class sizes make a huge difference, and the community feels like family. Parents are engaged, and you can tell that everyone -- staff and families alike -- takes pride in being part of this school. The extracurriculars are also fantastic! From chess club, to piano, violin and cello classes, to STEM learning workshops -- EJJR is constantly adding new and unique educational offerings. They continue to grow and evolve in alignment with the needs and requests of the students and parents attending the school. Altogether, there are just so many enriching activities to stimulate the young minds attending EJJR. It's incredible to see children challenged academically, while also being encouraged to explore their creativity and physical development. If you are considering a bilingual education in Austin, look no further. The French School of Austin offers an authentic, world-class education in a supportive environment that sets children up for long-term success. We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this community! Feel welcome to check out EJJR's dedicated website to gain more insight into this incredible school. And -- what's most exciting -- they just opened up 15 new slots for student enrollment in various grade levels! I suggest setting up a consultation today to see firsthand how amazing this school is. We were absolutely enthralled after our very first consultation and applied immediately before slots filled up. That said, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly with any questions or feedback. As a parent of two attending students at EJJR, I understand we only want the best education for our children -- and that's exactly what you will get at EJJR. https://www.frenchschoolofaustin.org

Bro the amount of times I got put on rouge is crazy. I would like to apologize to all the teachers…read morewho had me in their class. I didn't actually act up that much, but there are still some moments that will live in my head until I die. Great experience here except for that one kid that bit me that one time. Seeing the classrooms in those pictures really brought back the memories. It's unfortunate that I have forgotten 90% of the French I learned here, but that isn't the schools fault. Really nice little school. Will always cherish the great (and bad) memories I made here.

We have great peace of mind when our 3.5 year old son is at school (M-F extended day). The staff is…read morecaring, attentive, and nurturing. Petite Ecole Internationale has been wonderful for our family.

I am reviewing Petite Ecole Internationale for the second time as my second kid is in the program…read morenow. She is thriving under the staffs warm and supportive language program. Although we don't speak French at home, I can tell her French is improving daily when she talks about what she is learning.

Emilie has been teaching our son Spanish in a very sweet and fun way! She uses music and games and…read morekeeps him interested, which can be a feat when you're talking about eight-year-olds! We look forward to Emilie's visits every time!

Emilie is an incredible instructor and person, and we're so grateful to have her as our daughter's…read moreSpanish teacher. She is a patient guide and expert of Spanish language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. In addition to years teaching Spanish to non-native speakers, she's also a professional musician and infuses her lessons with original songs, crafts, and kinesthetic activities that make the language stick, and that our daughter loves. Our young language learner has progressed quickly in Spanish, and more importantly has gained the tools needed to find a way to communicate in the language even as a novice --- but not a novice for long, thanks to Miss Emilie!

I have been working with Alisa for one year. We meet, on average, about 2 hours a week. As an on…read moreline American Sign Language student, it is critical for me to supplement my learning by interacting with people in the Deaf community. Alisa provides me with this integral piece of my education in a patient, fun and effective manner. Alisa is committed to my education beyond our 2 hours, as evidenced by her frequently informing me of activities in the Deaf community in and around Austin, sending me links to videos and other on line resources and thinking of creative ways to interact, for example, her frequent game nights, played in ASL. Alisa's rate are very reasonable and she is very flexible with scheduling. I highly recommend Alisa to anyone wishing to learn ASL, at whatever level they are at!!

Echoing another reviewer who compared this to Habibi's Hutch--only in my opinion better: way…read moresmaller (Habibi's Hutch has grown to massive enrollment), homier, calmer. AP is owned/operated by the most loving, caring, warm couple who are native/long-time Austinites. After only nine months my 2.5yo, who had no prior Spanish exposure, is speaking entirely in Spanish to them. AP is casual, with no strict dropoff or pickup times, and with long hours to accommodate busy parents. Kids are outside almost all the time playing in *shaded* space (surprisingly rare among preschools we toured), and they come home a little dirty and covered in paint, just the way I'd want it.

Academia is a wonderful Spanish immersion daycare in Austin that feels like a home away from home…read morefor our son! The teachers are incredibly caring and create a safe, warm environment where children feel free to be themselves. They really let the kids explore and play outdoors, making nature a big part of everyday learning. It's a place where kids can get messy, try new things, and develop a love for discovery--all while picking up Spanish naturally. Academia is a gem for parents who want a nurturing space for their little ones to grow and learn!

I had such a good experience with Amazing Stars Academy's virtual Spanish program!! I started with…read moregroup lessons (which were actually fun and not awkward lol) and then switched to one-on-one when I needed extra help, and that made such a difference. Professor Torres is amazing, super patient, and explains things in a way that actually makes sense. She also switches up her teaching style depending on what you need, which I loved. The whole vibe is very chill but you're still learning a LOT. Like it didn't even feel like a class half the time 10/10 recommend!!