Some sounds spoken in the American English language are not very clear for other language speakers…read more For example, for some Latin language speakers, usually words such as "bad / bed" and "sheep/ ship" sound literally the same. As a Latin language speaker myself, one can imagine the kind of misunderstanding some conversations I had would cause, right? I had tried taking classes with several teachers before finding Sheila, and none were able to help me understand the difference of these sounds, much less teach me how to repeat and imitate these sounds myself. Then, I finally met Sheila. Sheila was able to help me recognize the differences of many english sounds which I didn't know how to tell one from the other, and she also helped me recognize sounds/words I was mispronouncing without even knowing it. She also helped me repeat these sounds myself, and it amazes me how her knowledge is so broad when it comes to english in all aspects! During our classes, she would explain to me the positioning of the lips and the tongue, the opening of the mouth and where I should "feel" the sound coming from when saying vowels and consonants sounds out loud. She knows a level of detail about pronunciation that I didn't even know existed, and even though it took a while for my ears to get trained and recognize these different sounds, I can see my accent is getting more natural (and smooth!) by the day with our classes! What's also incredible about Sheila is that, additionally, she has so much English knowledge that goes way beyond pronunciation. She has been teaching me and my husband some advanced grammar rules that sometimes we'd overlook and make mistakes. She has also been helping us with our "flow" when speaking and reading, showing us how English speakers add rhythm to the phrases, which words to emphasize, how to pronounce some words we were mispronouncing, amongst so many other things! And to keep the classes interesting, we have even read books together, and discussed not only the grammar and vocabulary of those books, but also some deeper literature topics and discussed the interpretation of what we had just read! She has deep knowledge of the English language in so many different aspects that I get amazed and surprised at every new topic she finds for us to cover in our classes. I have been taking classes for a few years now, and I know I still have a long way to go before losing my accent and sounding more like a native speaker, but I can also see how far I have gotten since I started taking these classes. As one of the most knowledgeable teachers I've seen, I definitely recommend her classes to any level of English speaker!

It's worth for the class! I took 10 classes with Sheila , she is very experienced, she knew what's…read moreyour weakness, and left homework to practice, next class will review your homework and recording, and she is responsible teacher,you will improve fast if you follow her instruction, some Americans said my accent is good, take her class, you will not regret. .

I took Tagalog 1 with Rhya in summer 2023 and Tagalog 2 with Nicky in summer 2025. Both times I…read moreopted for Hybrid courses, since I would be back in the Bay part of summer, and I definitely recommend adding that option if you learn better in-person. I was typically the only student who came in-person since most students take the class remote, but being able to be in the same room as the instructor helped my motivation during class immensely. Rhya and Nicky are both so kind and knowledgeable. You can tell that they are not only experts in the language (as native speakers from the Philippines) but in pedagogy. As a community college professor myself, I admire how organized the class was and how welcoming they are. The other students in my recent class were highly motivated and excited to learn Tagalog for various reasons. Some like me grew up with Filipino parents but never learned Tagalog, while others are in relationships with Filipinos/Filipino Americans and want to engage more deeply with the community through language. Overall, SJLC has been a positive experience, and I am excited to take the next (and last) level of Tagalog 3. The current rates for Tagalog (7 weeks, weekly meeting for small group) is $399 remote, $419 in person, and $449 hybrid -- note: this is a "Prime" class, so it is priced a bit higher since the instructor is a native speaker with 5+ years of teaching experience).

SJLC (San Jose Learning Center) has a great number of language classes - online, hybrid, or…read morein-class - and a variety of schedules, esp. for busy adults. The instructor that I had, Keiko is great. She is very patient and always willing to help. (The courses can be fast though depending the language and the books being used). The other people there are always very polite and helpful as well. The facility, while basic, is clean and conducive to learning. They seem to use a mix of media (e.g. slides, Quizlet, etc. which is good). FYI - it is near SJC - San Jose Int'l airport and the jets taking off can be somewhat loud at times.

As a former student of CalCC, I want to write a review on how the language skills I learned from…read morethe school had helped me a lot in getting admission into MBA program at CSU East Bay. Just like many other ESL institutions, basically you will learn English. However, what makes the school different from others is the effectiveness of the program. All the grammar, listening and reading skills, and writing techniques are practical, easy to learn and sufficient for you to use daily and academically. You might doubt it at first, but believe me, after just about 1 year of studying at the school, I was able to get TOEFL score of 90 at my first try. A score of 80 is a standard for a master degree. It could reach 100 at some highly competitive universities. But I want to emphasize the importance of your self-practice also. You need to use it in some way even though there is no homework or an assignment. Your self-practice is important for you not to forget what you have learned. Another special thing about the school is the devotion that all instructors have to their students. They are willing to help you as long as you need their assistance. You can ask them to write recommendation letters, or ask them about other tests that you cannot study at CalCC. I studied GRE myself at the same time I took English classes at CalCC. I can say that all the help from knowledgeable instructors had helped me get high enough score on GRE examination to get admission into my MBA. Obviously, the program itself and the constant assistance from instructors provide you more than enough English competency to survive and succeed in higher education environment. Last, the school offers affordability and friendly environment. Tuition is relatively competitive I can say. The class is friendly and interactive. There is a kitchen for you to cook occasionally, but you will need dean's permission for it. Frequent field trips give you chance to interact with classmates and other people, help you to review what you learned, and relax your mind with some enjoyable food. All in all, this will be a right place for those who are looking for an ESL institution where they can learn, practice, interact, and even enjoy.

Calcc is a really good language school option..Especially if you want to transfer after one year…read moreand go to college or university..I'm very happy to have stayed here for one year..And I met a lot of amazing people here..The stuff is amazing and always available to help us

The best place for French culture in Silicon Valley. Friendly way to acclimate yourself with French…read moreway of life. Exceptional teachers, by far the best in the Bay Area.

This is an excellent place to learn or brush up on your French. Studied French for many years in…read morehigh school and college, but I have forgotten a lot of it. I signed up for a 4-week class, and the teacher quickly helped me to get up to speed. Class was small (5 people), so we all had lots of opportunities to ask questions and speak French. I have signed up for a 10-week class with the same teacher because I think it'll be a really good learning experience. If you are a beginner or an advanced French speaker, I highly recommend the AFSV!

Javier was my teacher at a language school in Los Angeles, and I didn't know how great he was…read more until his sub showed up! So via Skype, I followed Javier to his current location. His tremendous teaching ability, humor, and patience have given me the way to learn this beautiful language. The pace and material covered is always geared to situations I will most likely encounter. And when I went to Spain we still had class and he gave me this terrific sheet with great phrases. He really is beyond awesome. You'd be so fortunate to have him as your teacher!

From the owner: Spanish tutoring and lessons. HIgh school, AP and SAT. All levels. Private and Small group classes…read more Online or face to face lessons.Adult conversations.Corporate Instruction and curriculum development. Professional Vocabulary development and practice (medical, construction, legal, etc)

My daughters went here for K-1 and 1-2 at the Campbell and Hamilton campuses. They were both in…read morethe mandarin immersion program and I was pleasantly surprised on how much they learned both reading and writing in Chinese. By the end of their first year, they ere able to easily read short books in Chinese, and write short messages (like thank you cards) all in Chinese. We don't speak mandarin fluently at home but we're still able to somewhat help with homework. Their math program is also very advanced, and now that my kids are set to go to public school, I'm confident Springbridge is at least a year ahead in their math program. The teachers in both K and 1st grade (and 2nd grade, where my oldest attended) are all very caring, attentive, and communicate well with the parents, which was appreciated. They worked with us to figure out ways our kids could grasp concepts they had trouble learning. Their detailed reports for parent teacher conference showed they were deeply involved and interested in my children's education. In addition, the community and camaraderie of the parents and teachers is another factor in why we loved the school.

Springbridge International School is a place where my two children are receiving a high-quality,…read morebilingual education. They have been at Springbridge since 2016 and both love the school. The school curriculum in is offered in English, Japanese, and Mandarin, and is delivered in such a way where students learn meaningful lessons, in two languages, that stress academic, cultural, and personal development. The faculty are passionate educators who embrace the mission of developing young minds in ways that are interesting and challenging to the students. After some issues with the facilities in the early days (such as locations, size, access to good sunlight), the facilities we have now are now top notch - secure, with good light, plenty of room, and large playground areas for the kids to get out and RUN and play!!! The administration has done a very good job through the COVID pandemic. They were able to rapidly transition to remote learning and despite some minor hiccups (which we all experienced at first) the learning continued - with the added benefit of my wife and I having the opportunity to see and hear what and how our girls were learning. It was at this point we truly understood and appreciated that our hard-earned dollars were being spent wisely and to great affect. Last year when the school reopened for in-person learning, the protocols set in place were adequately strict and strictly enforced. Classes were held outdoors and the kids were maintained in cohorts to minimize the risks of any widespread exposures. The use of masks was mandatory without exception even when on spacious playgrounds. The rules were/are clear and uniform for all grades. With the recent surge in Omicron, we are voluntarily back to distance learning until the surge passes. As parents we are responsible for providing our kids with every opportunity we are able to provide. My wife and I are not rich. We're working class people from working class families. Financially we'd be far better off if our kids went to public schools and in our area of San Jose there are some well-rated schools. While we toil away and struggle at times, we know we are doing what is best for our kid's future. They are both bilingual, in touch with their Japanese and American cultures, and are receiving advanced level education from this fine private school. Added Note: When I use Yelp I usually look at the most recent reviews...but always find myself drifting toward reading the negative reviews too. I did that for Springbridge as well. There are a couple of negative reviews and I think I know one of them. Everyone has a different experience and that's fine. Not every student and not every family will have the same opinion, nor will they have the same experience if there is a misalignment in key areas like respecting the rules, embracing the mission, or you or your child having a disagreeable outlook or personality. This school is a community and your child and my children are not special, they're members of a tight knit community where learning is the priority, delivered by trained and caring people, in clean and secure facilities.

We cannot recommend Emersen enough! My son's confidence in math has completely turned around, and…read morehe is currently doing the best he has ever done in the subject. Emersen has a remarkably calm demeanor and a gift for breaking down complex topics. They have a knack for pinpointing exactly what my son is having trouble with and helping him totally nail it. In fact, my son told me that his sessions with Emersen are far more helpful than his actual teacher at school. If you want a tutor who truly understands how to teach and connects with students, Emersen is the one!

Overall, the tutoring service was helpful and effective. Concepts were explained clearly, and the…read morematerials provided, such as worksheets, were useful for practicing and reinforcing learning. The sessions helped improve understanding of the subject

Language Connection makes learning a second language interesting and fun. It's not a typical…read moreprogram as there is not a class or lesson with definite start or stop date (like a class at the university). You can 'roll into' an ongoing group lesson or take individual lessons. The instructions are pretty reasonably priced and they offer you a lot of different language options. I took private French lessons prior to traveling to France and found the instruction very useful for my trip. I would gladly take lessons in the future when traveling abroad ( I think they teach Spanish, German, Chinese, etc). I also enjoyed that the speakers where 'native' speakers and gave useful information about the culture in addition to the lessons. Overall, I would recommend that you check them out.

I highly recommend the Language Connection and Sophie Fritz, if you would like a fun environment,…read morewhere you learn French from a native speaker. I have had several teachers and have enjoyed previous French lessons, but I must say that Sophie makes the class especially enjoyable and one learns a lot. The classes contain a variety of subjects and methods of teaching. This keeps them quite interesting! There is a mixture of conversation, vocabulary, grammar, listening to French movies and written exercises. She explains things well and never makes you feel stupid! Sophie tailors her class for working people, as well as folks with more time to study. I don't hesitate to recommend her classes, for those wanting to learn to speak French.

The owners and instructors at Tavan have all the qualities you could ask for: knowledgeable,…read moreprofessional, accommodating, and best of all, nice! Maryam especially deserves a shout-out for juggling schedules of students and instructors, especially when vacation time arrives and everyone is away. They're extremely patient--not only in scheduling, but also in teaching. My sons were beginning piano players, and they know everyone struggles at first. Never do they get frustrated with slow progress--they always encourage their students and motivate them to become better musicians. For advanced musicians, the instructors can help them get to the next level, as demonstrated by their twice-yearly recitals. I also like how they don't sell stuff in their studio--I kidded them about that because it seems every place that offers lessons also has a supply store. Amir, one of the founders, said that's just not who they are. My two boys have been getting great instruction and learned to love music even more!

My son is lucky to have Amir as his piano instructor. He is able to connect with him and chat…read moreabout sports and then shift to the piano instructor mode and make learning how to play fun and cool. The school is a gem and I highly recommend it.