Love this place. Waltor is an amazing teacher who is ver passionate about what he does. There is no…read morereal schedual as far as what you'll be learning, he kind of ebs and flows with the class. He takes great care and interest in his students and will literally remember everything that you say about yourself (LITERALLY). He also let's students pick the day that works best for them to learn, so if you can't make your intended class you don't have to miss ghat whole week, which is really nice, but can lead to some mixed up classes. Overall love it. Oh, almost forgot, he offers wine to help people loosen up and be willing to try more spanish, which has been a very effective technique for me.

I had a gift certificate to this school and confirmed they could do classes via zoom. Their website…read morealso says they can do zoom classes. All of my communication with Walter has been in writing, via email or text. Walter has no-showed me twice and the other lessons was consistently late 10-15 minutes. Most times I had to ask for a zoom link, only once was it provided in advance and he no showed anyway. He did our zoom meetings from outside of what looked like a cafe which was dropping service and after two drops texted me to complete a page we were working on. Next meeting he asked/implied I didn't do my homework and I repeated to him that I did the pages requested, he did our meeting from a bakery that time and wrapped up because they were closing. The last time he no showed I responded to the zoom email invite saying I had waited 20 minutes. I've never heard back. So I'd sum this up as consistently late and unreliable. I'd be pretty angry had I spent my own money for these lessons but I did let the person who gave me the gift certificate know what was going on. They did;however, waste my time which I consider valuable. I don't recommend this school.

I am pleased to recommend Darren's without reservation. I have participated in Darren's  Online…read moreSmall, Intensive Accent Modification Class.  I was thoroughly impressed by how this course was put together. I have been looking for this class type for a long time; there is nothing similar in the market. Darren is an M.S., CCC/SLP  speech-language pathologist specializing in the communication skills of non-native English speakers.  PLEASE also don't hesitate to get the Online Communication Assessment. If you are a professional working in a corporate environment and having difficulties with business presentations, intonation, please reach out to Packard Communications

I was charged for an assessment, then the business owner stopped communicating with me and I was…read morenot able to take any classes or recover the cost. I received the assessment report, but the metrics proposed for measuring improvement were not clearly defined. In addition, this person has tried to convince me that speech therapists are not supported by health insurance when there are at least two such providers in my zip code.

This place is a gift to anyone that has taken Spanish in school and yet never learned it. After 4…read moreyears of Spanish in high school and not absorbing any of it, I was skeptical that I could be taught. My instructor taught us so much, and broke it down into lessons that made the transition so much easier that I'm not only learning Spanish, but I'm enjoying understanding the how's and the why's of the language. All classes are very small (usually no more than 8) which makes it easy to learn, grow, and laugh with each other. I never felt that I couldn't make a mistake or ask a question. The homework is minimal and doesn't usually take more than an hour a week. (Though it's good to make vocab flash cards as you go and keep practicing). Wonderful teachers, quick responces to emails and phone calls.

I have been attending group spanish classes at Tierra for over 2 years. I started with no spanish…read moreknowledge other than what I learned on Sesame Street as a kid. They are very affordable compared to others, and they have great native speakers for teachers. I have had 3 teachers for different levels, and some others as substitutes. And all their teachers are dynamic and energetic and PATIENT! Especially good for me, because I memorize vocabulary v e r y s l o w l y. The classes are no larger than 8 people so you get really personal attention compared to the universities and colleges. Our class has been studying together for several months and we are now all friends and have attended foreign films together around town and we sometimes bring in snacks for celebrations or special occasions like birthdays etc. I have attended their social celebrations like Day of the Dead and Mexican Independence Day and feel like its a great little community and family at Tierra.

This school has educated a couple of generations of Salemites now. It's run by a wonderful family…read morefrom Sri Lanka. Head teacher Shanti, her husband and one of their sons, along with another teacher who was a former parent at the school herself. The kids truly learn.....academics, nature, compassion, character...... It's a wonderful option to have your kids be able to stay enrolled during their "kindergarten" year so as to have a true "full day" kindergarten rather than the typical half-day. Our son has thrived there the past two years and never complains of being "bored" as he used to do. He's learned to read and write and count and more. Once a week they have Japanese culture and language lessons and they grow to love their Japanese teacher. Several times a year they put on programs where all the students sing and dance, learning various cultures, languages, and styles along the way. The interaction of this school and our own efforts have been completely in sync and we will be sad to leave them but are truly grateful for the solid foundation they have helped give our child.

I absolutely love this school. I went here as a child in the 80's and the same family is still…read morerunning it. They have two wonderful teachers and other teacher's aides that help run this amazing Montessori school. They focus on letting the child explore their interests and encourage them in their learning. Your child can start here as early as 2.5 years old if they are 90% potty trained (very few accidents. The cost of this school is less than some other Montessori schools around and the quality of learning and teaching is awesome. My daughter has absorbed so much in the few months she has been there. They offer half day or full day preschool and kindergarten, plus before and after care at a very minimal fee! They do field trips twice a year, and do a craft and show and tell on Fridays. I can't begin to truly express how great this place is!

I had studied there for three semesters and it was a great and useful experience. The staff are…read moresuper friendly and all of the teachers are native speakers. They made Portland as a second home for me. I do recommend this school.

From the owner: Study English at the #1 Best Program…read more Columbia School of English is the #1 best English language school in Portland, Oregon. We serve both local immigrant and international students who want to work towards academic and professional success. We are committed to meeting the educational needs of each student while also making their stay with us enjoyable. We offer a variety of courses and student activities in a friendly, comfortable atmosphere for learning. Students are our focus. We are the first accredited English language school by CEA in Portland, Oregon.The Columbia School of English is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) for the period of 10 years and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions

ISP creates joy…read more Happy and educated children is what I see at ISP whenever I'm on campus. The combination of language immersion and IB education (inquiry-based) is amazing. These children come out with a global mindset treating others with respect snd care. We looked at a number of schools in Portland and ISP is the best. Seeing 5th graders graduate fully fluent in Spanish, Japanese or Mandarin is amazing. And hearing stories of ISP graduates in college and beyond who use the skills and language they learned at ISP daily, reaffirms why we believe this is the best school in Portland. Additionally, the location makes school accessible to families living all over Portland. Being centrally located (near public transit, bike paths, highways, etc.) means the students learn about city and have easy access to museums, theater, and more for field trips. An ISP education builds a strong foundation to help the next generations follow their dreams.

Where else in Portland can a monolingual household, like ours, send a child to school at age 3 and,…read morewithin a few years, watch her become fluent in another language? Not only does our daughter speak Spanish fluently like a native speaker, she can write proficiently in both English and Spanish. Our now seven-year-old child has achieved something neither of her parents have managed, which has been a huge confidence booster. Before enrolling her, we were concerned about whether she could succeed in learning a foreign language at such a young age and whether she might fall behind in other subjects. However, our fears were unfounded. She, along with her classmates, quickly picked up Spanish. Additionally, attending a diverse school where Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese are predominantly used has allowed her to appreciate and celebrate different traditions and cultures. If you are looking for true diversity, you will have trouble finding more of it at any other school in the area. Remarkably, she and many of her classmates significantly outperform state averages in reading in English and math as evidenced by standardized test scores, demonstrating that language immersion has not hindered her overall academic progress. The inquiry-based learning process of the school's International Baccalaureate program has fostered her curiosity, creativity, and independent critical thinking. In one of her classes students can volunteer to present "mini-lessons" on topics of interest. Recently, she presented a lesson on DNA, displaying an impressive understanding of a complex subject that I didn't learn about until high school or college. I've also been impressed with the quality of her art classes. Unlike the simple arts and crafts of my childhood, she has learned about art history and various artists. When we visited a Frida Kahlo exhibit, she provided insightful commentary on Kahlo's background and influences. Similarly, she recognized the influence of Vincent Van Gogh in a painting by Edvard Munch, showcasing her knowledge and keen eye for art. The small class sizes not only provides more personalized attention from the teachers, it also fosters a culture of kindness (her class this year had a 12:1 student-teacher ratio, about half of what it is at area public schools). While the school is located in downtown Portland, it's a bit hidden. It's a safe oasis on a quiet dead-end street, easily accessible by bike, streetcar, MAX, bus, and car due to its central location. When we lived in The Pearl District, I could bike my daughter to school on dedicated bike paths for most of the route. If you are looking for a truly differentiated education for your child that will lay a foundation for them to thrive in a shrinking global community & economy I'd encourage you to check out the International School of Portland.

Mean, inconsiderate staff... better to support eachother these days, not to put extra burden...read more

From the owner: Portland English Language has been providing premium english language training to adults since…read more1989. We pride ourselves on strong teacher to student connections, superior test preparation courses and the best atmosphere for the learning-driven student!

These Guys are simply the Best! I'm from Brazil and actually…read moremy mother studied there. She loved the classes! She learned so much in only two weeks! Her English has definitely improved very much in so little time. They helped us in anything we needed. From printing maps showing us how to go home and buying public transportation tickets, to Blazers games, these guys were always there for us. Also, it's a very cozy school that makes you feel confy even when you thousands of miles away from home!!! Definitely a 5 stars place!!!!

Every time I step into the school I feel inspired to be better than yesterday. One of the most…read morepositive experiences I have ever had.

My experience with the school has been great. Ricky meets people where they're at and provides a…read morelearning experience that challenges you without discouraging you. The advanced students and alumni offer helpful input and perspective. If you're considering it, get on the list now!