I have studied with many different teachers of Italian throughout the past ten years, and can say…read morewithout a doubt that Collina Italiana provides excellent language instruction and opportunities to attend cultural events*. The owner, Patrizia is a familiar and friendly face at the school. She welcomes students of all ages and walks of life. Patrizia is a very generous and enthusiastically encourages the promotion of the Italian language. Alessandra, Riccardo, and Raffaella (please excuse me if I forgot to mention anyone else) are the three amiable teachers that work there. I studied privately with Alessandra for 6 months. The private lessons were expensive for me ($75/hr) but I was willing to pay in order to get the best instruction. I was preparing to take my OPI in order to become an Italian high school teacher in NJ. Through careful guidance and instruction Alessandra coached me through the stressful process of improving my Italian. Alessandra is one of the best teachers I have ever had in my academic career. She genuinely cares about the progress of each student and works with them patiently. I passed my exam with a higher score than I thought I was capable of achieving. Alessandra is an inspiring teacher, any student would be lucky to have her. This is an amazing school with talented teachers. The teachers use authentic materials straight from Italy, and any student will excel in this positive learning environment. * In addition to offering language & grammar lessons and conversation hours, Collina Italiana also holds cultural events such as movie nights and holiday parties. I was able to practice my Italian with other teachers and students at such events.

They are a fantastic team of professional, kind people who do a fantastic job with kids. They are…read moreresourceful, prepared, professional and my child LOVES going there. Could not recommend more.

My daughter has been enrolled in two languages at Carousel since she was 5 months old. Over the…read morecourse of her first year, week by week, we watched her blossom and grow into a thoughtful and inquisitive toddler. At 14 months old, she has already begun to recognize and repeat words and phrases in each language. In addition, Carousel's classes have helped her become more focused, attentive, patient, and social. The exercises have improved her fine motor skills, and the curriculum has enhanced her love for music. The teachers at Carousel are as kind and gentle as they are energetic and capable. They are experts not only in their spoken language, but also in how to educate from infancy. The staff are all super responsive and helpful. The owner, Patrizia, treats every child like family. She knows every child's name and is often there to greet us at the front door. My daughter, who normally clings to my side, runs into her arms. She is extremely kind, patient, involved, wonderful with children, and has created an incredible place for them to thrive. I would HIGHLY recommend this place, even for a household that isn't bilingual. It's been incredible for early childhood development.

Constant turnover of teachers, no continuity. Kids learn words in a vacuum by theme, but nothing…read moreconcerning expressing every day needs. Teachers complain about the place and how they are mistreated. Patrizia does not seem to take their feelings into consideration or pay them on a timely basis.

I have been studying Chinese for 2 years prior to meeting Jamie and the ZGT team. During those two…read moreyears I realized I was not progressing in terms of my Chinese language development, even through different tutors and institutions. Jamie and the ZGT staff has taken my Chinese to a new level at a pace I never thought possible. ZGT also has a great youth program that my nephew (7 years old) just enrolled in, and he LOVED it as in he looks forward to it to have a good time while learning.. We need more ZGTs for aspiring Chinese language students

I had the chance to follow lessons at the Manhattan Mandarin School and I really enjoyed the…read moreprofessionalism of the teachers but also how they make you enjoy learning a new language!

-This is my third semester with Parliamo Italiano. Parliamo Italiano is a branch of Hunter College…read morethat offers non-articulated Italian classes.However, certification programs are available. I had previously studied Italian in high school and college, so I took a placement exam prior to registering. Giuseppina (Giuse for short) conducted my placement exam. I feel that I was appropriately placed during my first semester since some topics were refreshers for me, while others were much needed lessons and reviews! -The classes are arranged so that you and your classmates follow the same professor throughout the levels. All professors are native Italian speakers who are quick to correct your pronunciation (thankfully!). My professor Rosanna is amazing. She is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to both Italian and English grammar. She can predict the mistakes native English speakers will make in certain grammar structures and explain to the Italian grammar rule before we make the mistake. Rosanna stays on topic when conducting a lesson, but she always interjects little tidbits of helpful information to correct a student that makes an un-related mistake. -The quality of the classes and the lesson formats are amazing. The founder of the program (Franca Lally) created a curriculum that effectively teaches Italian while encouraging conversational practice. The professors strictly adhere to the original curriculum and often include discussions in each of their lessons. The program sends out weekly emails with the following week's lesson for you to print out or view on your device. -Registering with Parliamo Italiano is a pleasant process. Lauren works in the Parliamo Italiano office and has been nothing but a pleasure to work with. She works efficiently and is willing to answer all your questions. -Cons: On occasion, Parliamo Italiano can be disorganized. They are a branch of Hunter College, so some of the classes are held within the Hunter College buildings while others are held at Casa Lally just a few blocks south of Hunter College. There have been about four occasions over the past three semesters in which my professor, classmates and I were left standing a hallway for twenty minutes because our classroom door was locked. My classmates and I have complained to the program each time this has happened. Fortunately, this is the worst complaint I have about the program. Overall, I highly recommend the program! They have an Open House prior to the Fall and Spring semesters, so check it out!

Tres bien! I am currently taking classes and have signed up for more!…read more After a few months of trying programs like Rosetta and Duolingo, I learned some vocabulary, but still could not speak a word of French. The classes at the Language Salon are taught in small groups and really give you opportunities to practice speaking. It is a lot of fun and I could have simple conversations after only a couple of classes! My teacher is Christophe, a native French speaker, and he is really nice and encouraging. The classes go in a great pace and cover a good amount of material. They give you an audio CD that covers the material from the classes so you can practice at home. The classes are taught in a relaxed environment that has helped me get over my fear of speaking and making mistakes. I am extremely happy with the French Language Salon and high recommend it!

I took 2 classes here. The classes are fast paced but easy to follow. 8-14 people and everyone…read morespeaks a little bit during the class. There are no books required and you get handouts with the lesson of the week to take home. I took 1 class with Francois and the other with Jennifer. They are both good teachers. Jennifer is really sweet. Registration is disorganized, but they were very accommodating with me.

The philosophy is to make language learning fun, through songs, pleasantries, snacks, and fun…read more After one semester, however, I have come to see it as glorified babysitting, 2 hours for me to have a browse in the Upper East Side shops. Mandarin Chinese is supposed to be hard, not fun. Many key concepts are painful to grasp. Yes there is a need for rote memorization. This class, I felt, obfuscated the truth about how Chinese is truly a difficult language. My seven year old picked up some words for colors and fruits in a beginning class filled with a four year old and a nine year old, none of them native speakers. However, no pain, no gain. They felt no pain, but they also did not learn much of value. SInging is singing. Singing may lead to some learning, but there is a need to sit down and write some characters out. I feel that did not happen. $800 for a semester. The teacher was a very nice person, no doubt. However, I think this program just gives an illusion that you are doing something for your child.

I feel I must chime in here. Although everyone's experience will be different based on different…read moreteachers, as well as different expectations, I don't agree with the one-star reviews. My 15-month-old daughter and I attend the mommy & me French class on Lexington & 66th, and I can't say enough wonderful things about the program. My daughter's teacher, Jennifer, is a French native who is charming, charismatic, energetic, and patient with all of the young children. I find myself also having fun and expanding my French tongue. From the moment we walk in the door to the moment we leave, everyone is friendly and warm towards my daughter and myself. The best part is that in a very short time, she is picking up the language. They must be doing something right!!

I have been taking Spanish classes at the Bryant Park location with instructor Fernando Martinez…read moresince April of this year and I have learned so much. I started with Total Beginner and have moved up a level every 8 weeks. I am certain that within the next 2 years or even less, I will be fully fluent in Spanish! Fernando is a great instructor and his classes are very interactive and fun!

Claudio was great for the Italian crash course! I learned a lot, he was kind and supportive, and I…read morewould absolutely take another class with him. Highly recommend!

This is a great venue! There's a stage for performers, and the floor is good for dancing (springy…read morewood). They have folding chairs if you're looking to do a concert or lecture set up. It's not accessible; you have to go up stairs to enter. The restrooms are gender binary and downstairs. There is a kitchen but the sink doesn't work at the moment. Parking in this neighborhood is difficult, but it's not far from buses and subways. You don't have to be Hungarian to book an event here. I'm taking a star off because it can be difficult to get in touch with them. In my experience, they do not answer the phone number listed on Google, nor do they respond to voicemail, email, or FB messenger. The only way to reach them is by calling the custodian's cell phone (by the way, I would be happy to be proven wrong; if they see this review and reach out to to me, I'll update here)!

For those interested in International folk music and dancing, the Hungarian House has dances and…read moreconcerts every Friday evening: info@nycfolkdance.org; http://www.nycfolkdance.org. They also have an extensive American-Hungarian Library. My own personal experience with the Hungarian House was a very pleasant 8-week course in the Hungarian language, a few years ago. I had a lot of fun, but wished I knew more people with which to practice. The old saying, "What you don't use, you lose" is exactly what happened.

What a GREAT find. I…read morewanted to brush up on my Spanish and I took some sessions with Dominique.  She was great. Really taylored the lesson to my needs.  In addition, she really enforced what we went over the week before so it would stick.  I've taken lots of classes and always stuggeled with this. I would highly recommend Dominique.

Dr. Padurano is a great professor. I took her history course and I really enjoyed it. Previously I…read morehad a bad experience with history and barely passed, but the way she taught the class and was open to help students was amazing. I had just returned to school from a 5 year break and she helped me with writing my essays and I improved so much. She gave me back my confidence to write. I have already recommended her to other students and will continue to do so. It was a pleasure being in your class Dr. P.