Best language schools in California: find options near you

I’ve had a wonderful experience taking Japanese lessons at the San Jose Learning Center! The classes are engaging, well structured, and welcoming to students at different skill levels. My instructor is patient and supportive, and does a great job explaining grammar and encouraging us to practice speaking. I’ve gained a lot more confidence in my Japanese and genuinely look forward to every lesson. I would highly recommend SJLC to anyone interested in learning Japanese!

I’m really enjoying my classes at San Jose Learning Center. The atmosphere is welcoming and supportive, which makes learning a new language much easier. Profesora Clara is amazing, she is so sweet, patient, and encouraging. She creates a comfortable classroom environment and makes every lesson engaging. I always look forward to class and would definitely recommend studying here if you want to learn a language in a positive and friendly setting!

I’ve had a wonderful experience with the Italian classes at San Jose Learning Center. The teacher is incredibly kind, supportive, and encouraging, creating a welcoming environment for learning. Lessons thoughtfully blend grammar instruction, cultural insights, and engaging conversation practice. I especially love the small, intimate online group setting. It makes participation easy and personal. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn Italian in a structured yet warm and supportive way!

I have been taking the Mandarin Prime courses for a few months and I have seen a large improvement in my understanding and knowledge of Chinese. The classes have been fun and very rewarding. Each class introduces enough vocabulary, grammar, and new information that afterwards I am left with plenty to study or go over for the week until the next class. I highly recommend taking classes here if you are interested in learning a new language. The schedule is accommodating for students and those of us who work full time and the price has been well worth it for the value I have gotten out of the lessons so far!

I started taking Level 1 Japanese lessons at SJLC and have really enjoyed it thus far! I love the hybrid options which allow for flexibility to learn from anywhere but also take advantage of the benefits of learning in person when you can. From my experience, both the staff and teachers are very helpful and commited to providing a pleasant and effective learning experience. I am excited to continue on to Japanese level 2 at SJLC!

I’m currently studying beginner-level Russian with Professor Olga at the San Jose Learning Center, and I absolutely love it! The class sizes are small, so you get plenty of personal attention and support. My classmates are wonderful, the lessons are engaging and fun, and I genuinely look forward to each class every week! I’ve already signed up for my second course and plan to continue until I’m fluent. Highly recommend if you're looking for virtual language learning!

I've been learning Japanese at the San Jose Learning Center for more than half a year. I've enjoyed the online lessons that are taught over Zoom meetings in small groups. I can have plenty of opportunities to practice during the class to get the best result from learning a new language; the turn-in homework every week is also carefully planned so as not to overwhelm students who usually are working adults. My teacher is very understanding and accommodating, and I feel free to communicate with her on all things that are about the curriculum, schedule, or just personal mishaps on missing homework deadlines, and she always responds as soon as possible. Not to mention the absolute value of learning from a native Japanese speaker, who would tirelessly answer all of your questions about the Japanese culture.

From April 2025 to July 2026, I studied English for one year, and my English improved a lot. All of my teachers were kind and supportive. Some taught speaking, while others focused on grammar, and the lessons were well organized. I also made many friends from different countries, which made my learning experience even more enjoyable. I’m very thankful for this wonderful year.

The teachers and staff are so kind and supportive! I think this is a great environment where I can improve my English as much as I want, depending on my own effort.

Mentor is fantastic English school. Teachers are very professional. I had a lot of fun these two weeks. I hope I can come back again one day.

I learned a lot from here and everyone is so nice. the teachers are great

I made a lot of friends and really enjoyed learning English here! The teachers are great and the staff are incredibly kind and supportive. I love this school so much! I don’t even want to transfer. Thank you💕

It is a great place to learn and practice English!! I took a class for improve my English, and I had a very good experience!! Teachers are very motivating and dedicated, in special Mercedes and Lisa, that "bend over backwards" for their students.

I loved studying here ! Teachers are great ! Students are welcoming ! The location is great !!!

Poly has an amazing team! I am so grateful for their support. They helped me with a complicated situation and even reopened my case to make sure everything was completely resolved. Their customer service is truly professional, kind, and helpful when you need it most. 100% recommended! Five stars!

I would like to leave a warm review of your language school. I truly enjoyed studying with you. Special thanks to my teacher, Jonathan — he explains the material clearly and thoughtfully, creating a comfortable and supportive atmosphere in class. Thank you for your professionalism and care for your students! I will gladly recommend your school to others.

Great language school experience. The classes were really good and everything was well organized. The staff is very friendly and helpful, especially Kalynn who was always there to support me. Highly recommend😊

My advisor Maggie is the main reason I chose POLY, and she is truly the best person I have met since coming to the United States. She responds to every message promptly, and even when I contacted her on weekends due to urgent situations, she always made an effort to help me. As an international student arriving in a completely new country and unfamiliar environment, having an advisor like Maggie made an enormous difference. Maggie provides highly professional support, not only with school-related matters, but also by generously dedicating her time to guiding students through important adjustments when studying in a new environment. Her guidance is thoughtful, practical, and always student-centered, which made me feel supported, understood, and not alone. Because of Maggie, my experience at POLY has been warm, positive, and reassuring. She makes me feel like this school has a heart. I truly enjoyed my time at POLY, and I am very grateful to Maggie for everything she has done. If you are looking for a language school, I highly recommend talking to Maggie first. You will understand why so many students trust her.

This is a really amazing school. Maggie is really nice and she is always there when I need help regarding to my visa issues. Teachers create a welcoming atmosphere for student to talk and express yourself. You can not only learning book knowledges and teachers will also teach you slangs.

This is my second time in Los Angeles, and I couldn't help but choose POLY Languages ​​again for my exchange program. The school has excellent facilities, qualified professionals, and is always creating opportunities for students to interact with people from various backgrounds and languages ​​at their parties, allowing for a truly immersive cultural experience. It's fun and very interesting.

I highly recommend this school! They helped me so much with changing my status and made the whole process way less stressful. Everyone here is incredibly kind, supportive, and always willing to help. The atmosphere is amazing — very welcoming, positive, and friendly. You can really feel that they care about their students and want everyone to succeed. I’m very grateful for all their help and support!

I can’t tell what’s better, whether their customer service or the system they use to teach, but one thing I know for sure is that one of the best services I have received is from Poly Lenguajes in every aspect. From the first call that I made to the full integration into the course, they walked me through every step, even with the parking. They made the process seamless, I am so grateful to find them. One thing to mention, among many I could say, is that the catalog on their website is so detailed that I didn’t even have the necessity to search for any other schools. Thank you, Lilian, for being so professional and diligent. Also, Annah and her teammate who were involved assisting me in the process—I couldn’t catch her name, but I noticed her diligent participation as well, everyone was professional and knowledgeable. And of course, my first teacher, Vaughn Robbins—he is a great professor. If I may add, I got the best classroom, the view is just incredible!

I would most definitely recommend Poly Languages if you want to improve your English. The teachers are very supportive and knowledgeable. The staff was incredibly helpful throughout the whole process of admission. I really appreciate Lilian’s help with the SEVIS procedures and documentation.

My teacher is amazing, all classes focus in my real issues to improve in a good way, really understand my needs and put in practice to explore my vocabulary and form to explain my ideas in a better pronunciation and speech! I have already studied with Trina for 3 months and I’ll expect to continue the entire year.

Poly Languages Institute …I consider them my second FAMILY because they teaches me good words like my family does, This is where I learned to speak English, which I only knew a few words before I’m not good enough but I consider this is one of achievement that I got when I came here in the US that’s why I’am I sincerely thank everyone who formed the Poly Languege Institute. Ms. Lilian, Ms, Onna Ms Jenn and to all the teachers thank you so much I am happy that I was able to learn native English from you. God bless and more power Poly Language Institute from Lorna A . Aka L.A Philippines

I’ve been studying at Poly Languages for over a year and it’s been a really great experience. The teachers are good and the staff is very friendly. Special thanks to Lilian for making students’ lives easier—she’s always willing to help and welcomes everyone with a smile.

I practiced my English a lot with people from other countries, and the people here are very friendly. Eman and Quiana are the best they alwayes here to listen and help if you need anything. I’m very gratful for them and for my trip to kaplan westwood

My time at Kaplan was amazing, like it so much! I improved my English and found so many friends who became an apple of my eye 🤗😍 strongly suggest to study there 👍

I really recommend this place to anybody who wants to learn english. The teachers are very nice, you can really tell that they love what they do! You can meet soo many different and cool people there! I was only there for 2 weeks, I would recommend 4 weeks to anybody who wants to enjoy the City. Also the staff people are very nice too and they will help you with anything. Big shoutout to Iman! It was the best experience I‘ve ever had so far in my life! I hope I can return some day!

Eman is so nice and helpful and supportive. She always cares about us. Quiana is amazing too. She always does activity and bring beautiful energy in a school🤍🤍 I love Kaplan !!!!!!!

I liked studying at Kaplan a lot. All the people are very nice and pay attention to helping you learn English. If you would like to improve your English, it’s a very good place for that!

I was with teacher Alberto, he is so attentive, has great sense of explaining everything. Just a wholesome human, with great vibes. I would honestly recommend this school, no matter the situation you got stuff will try their best to help you in every way possible. There are no negative people here, school director is a hilarious man, he jokes all the time, at the reception there is Quiana who is the sweetest calmest girl, other schools I’ve been to won’t even compare to this place and if you are coming here, Enjoy your time cause you’ll have every chance to do it.

This is one the best experience of my life. If you want to improve your english, discover new culture and meets new friends from all around the word. This is the perfect place. The staff and the teachers are all good

A language school with a great location, skilled teachers, and helpful staff. What I liked the most was that they organized activities every day. The learning environment is also excellent, with a dedicated space for self-study. It’s a place where you can meet students from different countries and learn English together. Thank you for all the support and encouragement!

I had a great experience at Kaplan Berkeley and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their English skills in an international environment. The teachers were professional, helpful and cared about every student’s progress. I had been there for 8month, I could improve my English level from Intermediate class to Advanced class because of teachers!! The classes had a lot of activity such as pair work, group discussion and something like that which was so much fun! The school atmosphere was very welcoming and multicultural. I met people from many different countries, and it was easy to make friends. Thanks to school, teachers and friends, I not only improved my English skills but also I gained unforgettable memories and friendships.

I made so many internationally diverse friends during my time at the Kaplan. All the people I met were such great people and came from different backgrounds. I even became friends with amazing adults I would never have met if I were just attending a regular university. I also made many friends my age, and on weekends we went to amusement parks, water parks, and more. Every moment was incredible. The classes at Kaplan helped improve my English significantly. In particular, Francis, the C1-level teacher, was professional and made the lessons really engaging. Thanks to that, I could feel myself improving in every area of English. The staff had great energy and were always happy to help, which made a big difference. The afternoon business class was also very useful for university students like me. It was a valuable opportunity to learn about topics like finance, consulting, and other business-related fields in English. Kaplan was more than I expected.

I am currently enrolled in a program at the Barkley School. The classes have been incredible, but unfortunately, my customer service experience has been abysmal. My first advisor, Sara Sanabria—an excellent salesperson—vanished when I tried to make a change to the program; I was then assigned to Natalia Clavijo, and it was even worse. They don't answer messages and they ignore you—and for me, respect and communication are more important than the course itself.

Studying at Kaplan Berkeley has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. From day one, the staff—Robert, Kat, Olivia—and especially my teacher Francis made me feel welcome and comfortable. Francis is full of energy, always smiling, incredibly skilled at explaining things, and his experience of speaking several languages and traveling widely made every lesson engaging and inspiring. The whole team works with passion and is always ready to help with anything you need. The teachers are carefully selected and deliver their lessons with excellence, making every class motivating and effective. I also loved meeting classmates from all over the world and joining the school’s weekly activities, which made learning even more fun. Berkeley is a safe and vibrant university town, perfectly connected to San Francisco while surrounded by stunning nature like Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and other beautiful places. This location made it easy to enjoy different experiences after school or on weekends. I will cherish these memories forever and highly recommend Kaplan Berkeley to anyone looking for a top-quality, truly international learning experience.

The past two months at Kaplan Berkeley have truly been wonderful. The staff members—Robert, Kat, Olivia, and especially my teacher Francis—were all so kind and friendly. Francis, who was my main teacher, was incredibly smart and helped me study at a higher level of English. I also enjoyed spending time with friends from different countries and taking part in the variety of Kaplan activities that were updated every week. Having lived in both Santa Barbara and New York, I could clearly see the advantages of Berkeley. 1. A quiet and safe university town – Compared to bigger cities, it was more peaceful and secure, while still being well connected to San Francisco by public transportation. This made it easy to enjoy different activities after school or on weekends. 2. Close to amazing nature – Being near trendy natural landscapes such as Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and Mount Shasta made it one of the best cities for someone like me who loves traveling. I want to keep the memories I made here for the rest of my life, and I would definitely recommend Kaplan Berkeley to anyone considering studying 🙂 abroad.

Studying here it was incredible and wonderful. Since the first they the staff made feel at home. Everyone made this environment incredibly welcoming, so that during lessons and beaks I was able to improve my English so well. I am glad I chose to come here. I suggest Kaplan to everyone, especially here in Berkeley which is an unforgettable city.

I’ve been taking classes at Just English with Robert for the past 4 months, and this experience genuinely helped me so much. I improved not only in my English, but also in my confidence while speaking and expressing myself. Robert has been incredibly supportive, patient, and encouraging throughout the whole process, and that made such a difference for me. Learning here always felt comfortable, positive, and motivating, and I’m really grateful for everything I’ve learned during these past months 🤍

The friends I've made here are awesome, they make my exchange so much fun! I love the field trips we do with the school, like this one to the bowling alley. Also, the classrooms have big windows with nice views, and we use projectors for lessons. All the class materials are digital, which is really convenient.

Harvest English Institute is the best place to learn English! The teachers are friendly and supportive, the classrooms are comfortable and well-equipped, and the activities and events make learning enjoyable. I'm grateful for the friendships I've made and the progress I've achieved.

I can't say enough good things about Harvest English Institute! The teachers are dedicated, the facilities are modern and well-equipped, and the activities and events make learning English both fun and rewarding. I'm so grateful for the skills I've gained and the worldwide friendships I've made during my time here.

Switching to Harvest English Institute was the best decision ever! The staff is super friendly and always goes above and beyond to assist you. I love the flexibility in class schedules—they have morning, afternoon, and evening options. Thankful for all the friends I made here ❤️

I really like studying at the Harvest English Institute! The teachers are super dedicated and pay attention to everyone. The school plans some field trips around Los Angeles, and it's really cool to learn English like that. I'm learning English much faster by studying and living here in the United States. It's been a great exchange experience! Thanks Harvest team ❤️

During breaks, we play foosball! Serious championships go down here, with Brazil always winning! 😜Jokes aside, I love this school, and this is just a small part of why I love it! The teachers are fantastic and dedicated, the friendships you make here are incredible, and the reception staff are very kind and helpful.

My experience at California Learning Academy has been fantastic from start to finish. The staff are always friendly, welcoming, and accommodating, making every interaction pleasant and stress-free. The teachers are highly competent, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to helping students succeed. They create a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and confidence. One of the highlights of my experience has been my classmates. Everyone has been kind, respectful, and friendly, making it easy to feel comfortable and enjoy the learning process. Overall, California Learning Academy has provided an outstanding educational experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a supportive school with excellent teachers, an amazing staff, and a positive learning community.

Great school to be at! Teacher Krysel is absolutely the best! You can tell how much heart she puts into her classes. She is very patient, supportive, understanding, and caring. Students of any English level will definitely improve with her guidance. Anyone who comes to study here should request to be in her class. CLA is a great place to learn English and experience life in Los Angeles.

I am extremely disappointed with my experience with California Language Academy. My friend from Kazakhstan enrolled at CLA but was unable to attend because his U.S. visa was denied. I personally made the payment to CLA on his behalf using my own bank card. CLA approved a $575 refund and provided a refund form stating that the refund would be issued by August 27, 2026. We waited for more than a month, but the refund was not received by the promised date. After the deadline passed, we contacted CLA twice. They responded that they were waiting for an update from their CFO, but the money was still not refunded and no specific payment date was provided. Because CLA failed to issue the refund by the deadline stated in their own document, I have now filed an official complaint with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). This has been a very frustrating experience. I expected a school to honor its own written refund commitment and return the money on time. Based on this experience, I would not recommend dealing with California Language Academy.

I would like to share my experience with California Language Academy and hopefully help someone who is deciding where to study English. When I started here a year and a half ago, I was shy, nervous, and barely spoke English. Today, I am studying at Level 6, and the difference is incredible. CLA has given me much more than language skills. It has given me confidence, support, encouragement, and a welcoming community. Every teacher I met genuinely cared about their students and was always ready to help. The staff, managers, and school leadership created an environment where learning feels enjoyable and motivating. I am truly grateful for the knowledge, friendships, and experiences I gained here. Choosing CLA was one of the best decisions I made, and I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a professional, supportive, and friendly place to learn English. Thank you, CLA! ❤️

Amazing experience! Interactive classes, prepared teachers and a super friendly atmosphere. I had a surprising improvement in my English and I feel more prepared to communicate in any situation, I highly recommend CLA!

My English school is very good and I really enjoy studying there. I am from Brazil, and I am having a very good experience learning English at this school. The teachers are very patient and they always help the students understand the lessons. The classes are interesting and we practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing every day. The environment is friendly and comfortable, which makes learning easier and more enjoyable. I feel that my English is improving every week because the teachers explain things clearly and encourage us to practice. I am very grateful for this school because it is helping me build confidence to speak English and communicate with people in the United States.

I’ve been studying at this language school twice a week, 8 hours each time, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience! The program is intensive, but incredibly effective — I’ve seen real progress in my English skills. The teachers are professional, supportive, and always make the lessons interesting and engaging. The atmosphere in class is friendly and motivating, which really helps me stay focused and inspired. I’m giving this school 5 stars — highly recommend it to anyone serious about learning English!

I have been studying here for 2 years. I enjoyed all my classes, also I appreciate all enthusiastic teachers. Especially Paul. Wonderful school. This school is very strict about attendance. It will make students study hard and improve english.It is a perk of this school.great location and a bunch of classes.

I like going to this school. It's not boring, there are a lot of activities, different teachers, classmates from different countries, it's good practice for me.

LSI is the best school where you can have big experiences while you are learning English. I really recommend it.

I’ve had a wonderful experience studying at Language Systems Institute. The environment is supportive, friendly, and truly focused on helping students improve their English skills in practical, engaging ways. Caroline is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. She is not only professional and knowledgeable but also very patient, energetic, and passionate about teaching. Her classes are always fun, interactive, and well-organized. She creates a safe space where students feel confident to speak, learn from their mistakes, and grow every day. The staff at the institute are also incredibly kind and helpful. I especially want to thank Luna and Carolina — both of them go out of their way to support students. Whether it’s helping with schedules, giving guidance, or just greeting everyone with a warm smile, they make the school feel like a second home. If you’re looking for a language school with excellent teachers and a genuinely caring team, I highly recommend Language Systems Institute!

Based on my personal experience, I would not recommend this academy. Most of the staff were kind and professional, but my interactions with a manager were uncomfortable for me. Some activities felt mandatory rather than optional, and when I hesitated or didn’t feel comfortable participating, I personally felt her responses were dismissive and somewhat sarcastic. This was my individual experience, and others may feel differently, but it affected my overall impression of the academy. + As a paying student, I am a customer. Unfortunately, it seems that the school has forgotten this. The curriculum was changed without any prior notice or discussion, and students were informed only one day in advance. This left us with no time to prepare or respond to the change.

I LOVED the campus. You are never bored, cause there is always something you can do, for example: Go swimming with your friends at the pool, play soccer, basketball and volleyball or just hang out at the lounge, and do all types of creative things. The teachers and staff are also so amazing and nice. The summer I spent here is, probably one of the best summers of my life.

I’m having an amazing time at EF Los Angeles! For now, one of my best memories are making new friends and the city tour. I made friends from a lot of countries, and I really enjoyed discovering different cultures. The english classes are fun and interactive. We are progressing a lot, especially in speaking. I definitely recommend the experience.

I really loved Ef Campus in Los Angeles! The city was sunny and full of cool places to visit like the beach and Hollywood. The best part of my journey was exploring the city with my new friends and learning about different cultures. I made many international friends from all over the world. We talked a lot, had fun, and learned from each other. The classes were great! The teachers were friendly and helpful. I felt more confident speaking English, and I improved a lot. It was an amazing experience!

Modern new campus with lots of amenities, the dorms and bathrooms were also surprisingly well take care of! overall it’s really noticeable that the campus and buildings are new, really californian and nice vibe. It’s the best campus in EF for sure.

Beautiful campus in a cozy neighborhood! Enjoyed my stay here so much, and earned so many experiences through this school!!