It’s said that a child is born with the ability to pick up any language in the world. The younger, the better, so if learning a major European one is your child’s calling, keep reading for our scoop on the city’s best, fun-packed, immersive lessons in French, Spanish, German or Italian.
Want your child to learn a major European language? Whether you’ve recently relocated from Europe and want your child to embrace your native tongue, or you’re simply raising a bilingual whiz who’s set to be a global citizen, look up these European language classes in Singapore for French, Spanish, German or Italian lessons. Bonus: These classes are packed full of games, songs and activities, and spell wicked fun for the kiddos.
GENERAL LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
Eurolingo
Award-winning Eurolingo is the first and only language school in Singapore specialising in European languages. Its team of native and experienced teachers have taught over 3000 satisfied students – hardly a surprising feat, considering the school’s got all the right traits: small class sizes, great learning facilities, and emphasis on conversation so kids will learn to jabber away like locals.
Eurolingo, 220A Upper Thomson Road #02-00, p. 6455 6518, e. [email protected]; www.eurolingo.sg
inLingua School of Languages
Conveniently located in the heart of Orchard Road, inLingua is a global name with over 300 centres worldwide. While the Singapore branch holds regular classes for adults, it also caters to young learners with its fun summer holiday courses. Designed to make language-learning fun and engaging, these feature role-play, puzzles, games, songs and pop quizzes. What we love best? The school takes learning beyond the classroom with after-hours excursions and extra-curricular activities.
inLingua School of Languages, 51 Cuppage Road, #10-12, Singapore 229469, p. 6737 6666, e. [email protected]; www.inlingua.edu.sg
Agape School of Education
Agape School of Education has long been hailed as the go-to for varied language classes, which cater to everyone from the casual learner to the career-minded adult. For your tinies between three to five years old, the school offers French and German playgroup classes where kids will learn language phonetics and basic vocabulary through fun activities such as games and quizzes. Lessons are also available for kids of primary or secondary school age, with the ultimate goal of discovering not only the language, but the culture as well.
Agape School of Education, 153B Goldhill Centre, Level 3, Thomson Road Singapore 307607, p. 6222 2331, e. [email protected]; www.agapeschool.edu.sg
FRENCH CLASSES
French Studio
With loads of fun ways for children to learn French – including fun songs, games, craftwork and activities – French Studio’s courses for kids focuses on conversation before progressing to reading and writing. The clincher? The school also organises field trips so your kids can practise what they learn in class. Just recently, the little enfants went on a trip to the supermarket where they had to name all the groceries in French. Adorbs!
French Studio, 81 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428785, p. 9499 9527, e. [email protected]; www.frenchstudio.sg
French Language Academy
This MOE-registered school offers various types of French lessons, including private and group tuition for kids and teens. The children’s French lessons for kids from six to ten years old uses children’s natural linguistic abilities for easy interaction within a fun and cheerful atmosphere. To help the tinies feel at ease to interact in French, lessons are carried out in a structured routine, with role play, arts and crafts, rhymes and stories thrown into the mix to keep learning fun and lighthearted.
French Language Academy, 452 AMK Avenue 10, #01-1793 (2nd Floor), Singapore 560452, p. 8339 7286, e. [email protected]; www.learningfrench.sg
Alliance Francaise
Our fave hideout for cult French films and adorable French flicks for kids offers classes for tots as young as one years old. These Pre Zous-zous classes begin with an immersive, multisensory approach, while other classes will introduce kids (up to five years old) to a French-speaking world with group activities, games and songs. The school also offers holiday camps with thematic workshops and activities like storytelling, yoga and even sports.
Alliance Francaise, 1 Sarkies Road Singapore 258130, p. 6737 8422, e. [email protected]; www.alliancefrancaise.org.sg
SPANISH CLASSES
Las Lilas School
At Las Lilas Kids, early learning of the Spanish language goes beyond the desk: it also includes music, art and drama. Playgroup classes for two to three year olds feature experiments, songs, games and dramatised stories. Curriculums differ for native and non-native speakers, with objectives ranging from learning to use everyday Spanish vocab to effortless fluency.
Las Lilas School, 180B Bencoolen Street #08-01/02, The Bencoolen (Office Tower) Singapore 189648, p. 6333 3484, e. [email protected]; www.laslilasschool.com
Spanish Studio
Hola! At Spanish Studio, kids’ classes focus on expression, speech and grammar through craft, songs, artworks and games in a cosy, welcoming environment. Lessons are kept small to maximise individual attention for students and are available for all levels.
Spanish Studio, 81 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428785, p. 9499 9527, e. [email protected]; www.spanishstudio.sg
GERMAN CLASSES
Goethe-Institut Singapur
Goethe-Institut teaches German as a second language for children from seven to 11 years old and cater to different levels of proficiency. To maximise focus, classes are small with a good child-to-teacher ratio. The team of native, experienced teachers do not rely on a course book, but use different sources and materials from Germany.
Goethe-Institut Singapur, 136 Neil Road Singapore 088865, p. 6735 4555; www.goethe.de