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Costa Mesa, CA

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Small World International Academy

5.0 (3 reviews)
Closed • 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

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Orange County Lingual Institute - Some students of the class Italian intermediate 3+ talking about the region of Piemonte.

Orange County Lingual Institute

4.6(123 reviews)
2.8 mi

I just finished my first Spanish class in over 20 years with Areli at OCLI. Wow! This was nothing…read morelike high school -- we jumped right in and began learning in multiple modes right from day one. Areli is an incredible teacher -- I felt both met where I was at as well as pushed every day to grow more. What helps the most is that she uses multiple modes of teaching -- writing, speaking and listening -- in everyday real world situations. She broke down ideas that I spent months trying to understand (e.g. the subjunctive tense) in one easy to follow lesson. I can't continue taking another class right now due to work and home commitments this Spring, but I'm already eager to return. I know I would be able to learn what I need and grow into the Spanish speaker I hope to become if I do. Areli is an excellent instructor and I feel would help any student meet their goals -- she goes above and beyond and was always available outside of scheduled class time to review concepts too. I'd recommend her class to anyone wanting to improve their Spanish!

I have been taking advanced italian with Valentina Dalan. Best teacher there is - always prepared,…read moresuper knowledgeable, detailed, thoughtful, caring, engaging with relevant and diverse topics from culture, history - all in an interactive and fun way. I highly recommend Valentina Dalan.

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Orange County Lingual Institute - Italian intermediate 2 class: striking a pose to learn the imperative tense, why not?

Italian intermediate 2 class: striking a pose to learn the imperative tense, why not?

Orange County Lingual Institute - Italiano B2

Italiano B2

Orange County Lingual Institute - Our lovely and very talented French teacher with her students .

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Our lovely and very talented French teacher with her students .

Language Door - Our New Location

Language Door

4.7(64 reviews)
4.3 mi

Our experience with Language Door has been fantastic. We were at another language school before and…read moreboth my kids were unhappy. When learning a new language, it should be fun and exciting. I looked into Language Door and found our forever home. First, the owner Natascha is fantastic. She's multi lingual and very hands on. She loves what she does and it shows with all the students. She knows what teachers would be best for certain students. Second, I love love love Susan and Lupe who work as administrators. Susan is Hungarian and speaks so many languages, I can't keep track. She's kind, a world of knowledge and gives the best hugs. Lupe is smart, multi lingual and wonderful! Every student who walks in is greeted in the language they're learning. There are adults and kids learning Japanese, Arabic, Spanish, etc. The teachers are worldly, my kids love their classes and can't wait to go to school even on Saturday's. While I'm waiting for my kids I get to speak with all the parents who are lovely. Walking in I feel transported to an international setting where people are open minded, multi cultural and inclusive. I wouldn't hesitate making the call! Thanks Language Door for embracing the love of language!

I absolutely love Language Door. The teacher I have for my advanced Spanish class on Saturdays is…read moreamazing- extremely friendly, kind and very well educated and good at explaining and tailoring lessons to each individual student. What really makes this place stand out (and believe me I did my research) is that if you want to take a foreign language class with them you can sit in on a few classes before you decide to sign up for the new start date. The owner, Natascha is also extremely attentive and you can tell she loves what she does and goes the extra mile for her students and teachers. I am quite impressed with the level of service provided and it was more than worth it for the price! I plan to sign up for German & Arabic courses shortly after my Advanced Spanish course commences.

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Language Door
Language Door
Language Door

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Portal Languages - Costa Mesa

Portal Languages - Costa Mesa

4.0(23 reviews)
0.6 mi

I have been a student at Portal Languages for many years. My daughter is currently taking classes…read morethere also. I have had Maria, the owner, teach me Spanish. She is an incredible teacher, patient, a good conversationalist, engaging and encourages confidence to make her student speak the foreign language. They tailor to the needs of the student and are accommodating. Over the years, I have occasionally been instructed by some of her other Spanish teachers while Maria was away and all have been excellent. They believe in using no English if possible and immersion and this is supported by their only employing native speakers. I highly recommend Portal Languages.

Unpleasant experience with their Spanish Immersion Summer Camp in July 2026, hosted through the…read moreNewport Beach Community/Recreation Department. Their 1 week summer camp involves introducing kids to Spanish words, with no real teaching of fundamentals such as sounds of each alphabet letter. It's purely "rote memorizing" of words and the kids are asked to answer questions the next day regarding the new words they learned. I mean - honestly, how does anyone learn like that? This summer camp was a waste of money, and a total bore for all ages. The teacher at summer camp was Cecilia - unprofessional, and makes students feel uncomfortable because she stares at them for no reason. Would not recommend this language class to any students between the age of 5-10 years old, as you are better off enrolling your kids in some other summer camp that is fun, educational, and engaging -- all of which this place is not. I'd also like to add that there appears to be some age-discrimination from Cecilia, as she called my child "OLD" in class. Not sure why that was warranted, but the camp is for 5-12 year olds, and there were definitely other 10 year olds in the class, so that seems very off-putting. The teacher also kept telling my child to quiet down when everyone else in the classroom was rowdy, loud, and also talking. I'm not sure why she would want to "target" my child, but it's ridiculous, and unprofessional. Definitely would not recommend her or this program. Upon looking at the other reviews in this listing, it appears that this place has also received multiple 1-star reviews. I'm not surprised.

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Portal Languages - Costa Mesa - Learn the Natural way!

Learn the Natural way!

Portal Languages - Costa Mesa - Learning Spanish the Natural Way through crafts, games and TPR techniques.

Learning Spanish the Natural Way through crafts, games and TPR techniques.

Portal Languages - Costa Mesa - Language classes and camps  - we teach the Natural Way incorporating games and storytelling. Book your demo lesson today!

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Language classes and camps - we teach the Natural Way incorporating games and storytelling. Book your demo lesson today!

Frontiers Academy - Immersion Trip to China

Frontiers Academy

4.8(9 reviews)
2.9 mi

We love Frontiers Academy!! I always say choosing FA was, by far, the best parenting decision we've…read moremade for our kids. Our 5th grade son started at FA when he was 3 years old and our 1st grade daughter started when she was 2 years old. They are fluent in Chinese and Spanish, we don't speak either of those languages. They are both doing fantastic academically, but more importantly, they are learning how to be good citizens of their communities. The school emphasizes values our family shares such as kindness, hard work, respect, integrity, and courage. Frontiers uses positive reinforcement to strongly encourage kids to embody these values in their everyday interactions. Another bonus, the amazing FA parent community! We are fortunate to be part of such a fun and supportive group.

When I started researching schools for my first child, I had a long list of requirements: a…read moreMandarin immersion program (culturally important to us), strong safety protocols, happy and stable teachers, and a philosophy of raising respectful global citizens--not just checking boxes for academics. I asked every question I could think of, from how they handle sickness to how teachers are supported, and I observed everything from class ratios to daily routines. We visited several schools, but ultimately chose Frontiers, and I'm so glad we did. The difference was clear: attrition among instructors was low, and my son's teacher had been there for many years. To me, happy teachers = happy kids. From the start, the staff were warm, communicative, and professional. I've been consistently impressed by their attention to detail, safety standards, and how thoughtfully they care for each child. Beyond the nurturing environment, the academics are truly top-notch. It's a trilingual school so teaches in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. The curriculum is rigorous; I love that my son is being challenged intellectually while also building confidence, creativity, and curiosity. What gave me peace of mind is knowing my child is not only in a stable environment but also one where learning is engaging, meaningful, and sets a high bar. Communication has been excellent--I always feel in the loop. I've seen firsthand that the children are thriving, not only in Spanish or Mandarin but in all aspects of their development. If you're a parent who values stability, honesty, safety, and outstanding academics in a school culture where teachers are genuinely happy--Frontiers stands out. It checked every box on my list.

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Frontiers Academy - Preschool STEAM

Preschool STEAM

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Frontiers Academy

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Marco Polo Children's School - Children explore food preferences, experiment with clay toppings, and discover the baking process.

Marco Polo Children's School

4.8(77 reviews)
4.8 mi•Westpark
Speaks Mandarin
Kid friendly

Marco Polo is a wonderful school, and we're so grateful for the two and a half years our family…read morespent there. A special thank you to Kimberly and Jiang, who truly make the school feel like one big family. They create so many opportunities for both children and parents to connect and are always incredibly supportive. When Fiona first started, we went through some challenges with adjusting to school. Kimberly and Jiang were there for us every step of the way--not only helping Fiona feel comfortable and adjust, but also supporting us as parents and giving us helpful guidance on how to support her emotionally. That meant so much to our family. All of the teachers we've met have been warm and friendly, and the school is always well cared for. Teacher Tima and Paris are especially sweet and caring with the children, and Teacher Eric even introduces them to some basic Spanish, which Fiona really enjoyed. They also have lots of fun activities throughout the year, especially during the summer. We have so many good memories from our time at Marco Polo and would definitely recommend this school to other families.

We will forever be grateful to Marco Polo. Our daughter started attending when she was just two…read moreyears old, and now at four, we're blown away by how much she's grown. Her vocabulary has taken off, she's genuinely curious about the world, and most importantly, she's confident in who she is. She absolutely loves going to school. The teachers are warm, passionate, and deeply care about the children. They create an environment where learning feels like joyful discovery. The curriculum is thoughtfully play-based and beautifully rooted in nature and the world around them. Marco Polo has played such a meaningful role in shaping who our daughter is becoming. We couldn't ask for more.

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Marco Polo Children's School - Great memories with our amazing team as we celebrate the beauty of a diverse community!

Great memories with our amazing team as we celebrate the beauty of a diverse community!

Marco Polo Children's School - Celebrating culture, connection, and community at Irvine's Global Village Festival!

Celebrating culture, connection, and community at Irvine's Global Village Festival!

Marco Polo Children's School - Bringing Irvine to life through art, with familiar landmarks and creative details made by our children and teachers.

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Bringing Irvine to life through art, with familiar landmarks and creative details made by our children and teachers.

Nihao - 2026 Graduation Ceremony & Musical

Nihao

4.9(35 reviews)
3.1 mi

I cannot say enough about this school. I really wanted a mandarin immersion program, and I'm so…read morepleased I found Nihao. Let's start with the staff. They are incredibly amazing. The main two teachers, Chichi and Delsy, treat the children with great care and kindness. Next, the lessons and activities they have are engaging. There's singing and dancing. There's motor skill development. They work on presentation, writing, and more. My daughter is nearly potty trained at 2 years and 3 months old, just under 3 months at the school. There's the group, Soccer Shots, that come to the school as well as an extracurricular. The facility is spacious and clean. It caters to the students with. The outdoor play area is well covered with canopies. The equipment does not look rundown. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that some schools do, but it has all it needs and then some. Lastly, the communication is frequent throughout the day. Unlike some other school where it drops off after the first week, we get consistent updates with photos and videos. It provides reassurance that she's having a lot of fun at school. I moved my daughter here when she turned two, and we don't look back. She actually asks for her teachers constantly at home. She's excited to go in.

Our two kids have had a wonderful experience at NiHao. We originally enrolled them with no Chinese…read morebackground--not because we were focused on language, but because we were looking for a warm, safe, and engaging environment. And that's exactly what we found. The teachers and staff are incredibly kind, attentive, and easy to communicate with, and we always feel our kids are in good hands. The school is very well-run, and the parent app keeps us updated with daily photos, nap times, potty info, and any incidents. It gives us great peace of mind to know what's going on throughout the day. The indoor and outdoor play spaces give the kids plenty of room to explore, and the environment is full of joy and creativity. We're especially impressed with the fun, thoughtful curriculum. The kids practice drawing and writing in playful ways and get to be little scientists with hands-on, imaginative activities. They've brought home the most creative projects, and the school goes above and beyond with family events like art and dance shows, and celebrations for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and other holidays. While some staff turnover happens due to 1-year contracts, our kids have adjusted well, and there are always multiple teachers in the classroom to provide continuity and support. Though learning Chinese wasn't our top priority, it's been a neat bonus to see our kids pick up songs and understand basic directions in Mandarin. More than anything, we're grateful for the kindness, safety, and joy NiHao brings into their lives.

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Nihao - 2026 Graduation Ceremony & Musical

2026 Graduation Ceremony & Musical

Nihao - 2026 Graduation Ceremony & Musical

2026 Graduation Ceremony & Musical

Nihao - 2026 Graduation Ceremony & Musical

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2026 Graduation Ceremony & Musical

Small World International Academy - preschools - Updated October 2026

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