Polyglottist Language Academy
Quality small-group and individual language classes for adults in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, and everywhere else online.
Polyglottist Language Academy offers practical, conversation-focused classes in Russian, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch, Korean, Tagalog, Mandarin Chinese, and other languages depending on instructor availability and student demand.
Our small classes are designed for adults who want personal attention, clear structure, and a supportive place to actually speak the language. We offer complete beginner, low beginner, high beginner, intermediate, and more advanced options depending on the language and current schedule.
We are also continuing to expand our programs, with Vietnamese and Thai planned for the future.
Read more about PLA, our mission, and our modern approach to language on our Facts About PLA page.
Please choose from one of our languages/classes below and click on it to proceed.
Welcome to Polyglottist Language Academy
2161 Shattuck Ave, Suites 234-235, Berkeley, CA
Polyglottist Language Academy is a small, independent language school in downtown Berkeley offering in-person and online classes for adult learners. Our goal is to create a more personal, engaging, and culturally rich alternative to large classrooms, apps, or one-size-fits-all language programs.
Our greatest strength is our team of experienced instructors. Many of our teachers hold advanced degrees in languages, linguistics, literature, education, or related fields, and they bring years of teaching experience to their classes. They do more than teach grammar and vocabulary — they help students understand how the language is actually used in real life, including cultural habits, humor, etiquette, social expectations, and everyday communication.
Our classes are small, structured, and conversation-focused. Students work on pronunciation, listening comprehension, speaking, reading, grammar, and vocabulary, but the main goal is practical communication. Whether you are learning a language for travel, family, work, culture, literature, or personal enrichment, we want every class to help you feel more confident using the language.
At PLA, we believe that learning a language is also a way to understand another culture and connect with people. Our classrooms are friendly, intellectually engaging, and supportive, giving adult learners a place to study seriously without feeling intimidated.
New classes are added throughout the year based on student interest and instructor availability. If you are ready to begin, explore our current schedule and choose the class that best fits your level and goals.
We are located on the second floor.
