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10 ways to learn a new language in Austin

A group of people around a table studying

Live the Language offers small in-person Spanish classes and group trips to Mexico City for an immersive experience. | Photo courtesy Live the Language

¿Hablas español? ¿Quieres hablar español?

If you answered yes — or if you had to open a tab for Google Translate — we have just the list for you. Whether it’s Spanish or Japanese, here are 10 ways to broaden your horizons and learn a new language in ATX.

Note: Prices vary depending on program and level of experience.

Live the Language | Spanish
Founded by a mother-daughter team in 2005, this business offers small-sized classes for adults and children, summer camps, and guided trips to Mexico City.

Freestyle Languages | Spanish, French, Italian, English
Take a placement quiz online to gauge your fluency before jumping into online or in-person courses with this Austin-based group.

Austin Public Library | 100+ languages
Access on-demand video courses, review resources curated by librarians, and download talking picture books for kids at your trusty neighborhood library.

Austin Sign Language School | Sign language
Learn ASL at the Texas School for the Deaf, the oldest continually operated public school in the state.

The Language House | Spanish, French
Converse with other learners in small, private group classes separated into levels ranging from beginners to advanced speakers.

The Austin Central Library — The Austin Public Library offers resources to learn 100+ languages.

Asian American Cultural Center | Chinese, Japanese
Study “Chinese for Traveling” or dive deep into conversational Japanese at this North Austin facility — the organization also offers classes in Chinese cooking, art and culture, and wellness.

German-Texas Heritage Society | German
Kids and adults can learn the language online or in-person at several locations across Austin.

JASGA Austin | Japanese
Fast-track your Japanese learning with this organization’s conversation boot camp.

Austin Spanish Academy | Spanish
Students of all skill levels are welcome at these classes for day-to-day Spanish communication.

Lexody - Austin Language Exchange | Spanish, French, Chinese, Italian, German, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Arabic
This free app connects language learners with native speakers in their city to exchange tips and practice conversation.

What language do you want to learn?

A. Spanish
B. French
C. German
D. Other

LET US KNOW

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Wednesday, Jan. 18

Fortlandia | Now-Sunday, Jan. 29 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin | $8-$15 | This annual exhibition of locally designed secret hideouts closes this month.
Slurp the World | Wednesday, Jan. 18 | 7 p.m. | The Ballroom at Spider House, 2906 Fruth St., Austin | $10 | Straight Stitch and Jimmy Mercado & The Merc 30s will also perform at this weeknight show.

Thursday, Jan. 19

Ride the Wave | Thursday, Jan. 19-Saturday, Jan. 28 | Times vary | The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd., Austin | $15-$37 | This multimedia performance depicts three brothers searching for an epic surf to end their summer.
Pretty Woman: The Musical | Thursday, Jan. 19-Sunday, Jan. 22 | Times vary | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $35-$150 | The 1990 rom-com comes to life on stage in this Broadway adaptation.

Friday, Jan. 20

Ontario Clippers vs. Austin Spurs | Friday, Jan. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $10-$180 | Cheer on the Spurs at this Friday night game.

Saturday, Jan. 21

UV Night Walk | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 5:30 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free with admission | The Central Texas Mycological Society will explore the garden’s nocturnal ecosystem with UV flashlights.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

76º | Morning thunderstorms | 57% chance of rain
A cold front may bring isolated storms to Central Texas this morning, with another bout of light rain headed for the Austin area this weekend. ⛈ (KXAN)

Number

$7.6 billion. That’s how much Emerson Electric Co. is offering to buy Austin-based National Instruments Corp., which makes automated testing equipment. With 2,200+ locals on the payroll, National Instruments is one of Austin’s largest employers. 💰 (Austin Business Journal)

Plan Ahead

Step into the material world this fall — the “Material Girl” herself is coming to Austin. See Madonna in the Capital City for the first time in almost 40 years on Thursday, September 21 at the Moody Center. Get tickets. 🎶
Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, and Parker McCollum are among the headliners at this year’s iHeartCountry Music Festival taking place at the Moody Center on Saturday, May 13. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m.

Edu

UT students will have to walk off-campus next time they want to post their #ootd. Yesterday, the university announced it would block access to TikTok on its Wi-Fi and wired networks due to security concerns. 📱 (The Texas Tribune)

Announced

Rodeo Austin — the city’s most attended event of the year — announced Flo Rida, Tyler Hubbard, and the Randy Rogers Band would perform on the main stage this March. A dozen other groups also made the lineup — see the full list. 🐂

Health

Austin-Travis County received $2 million in federal funds to support overdose prevention through community training, counseling services, and access to emergency opioid treatment Narcan. (KXAN)

Eat

Austin restaurants The County Line and Industry were two of the 10 food vendors at this week’s inauguration of Gov. Greg Abbott, marking the only city represented by more than one food vendor. 🍖 (CultureMap Austin)

Shop

Our online store Six & Main is now featuring Signet Sealed, an ATX-based art company. Explore beautifully designed city prints and dish towels, which celebrate all things local. Start shopping now. 🎨

Travel

Scott’s Cheap Flights is going, going...Going. The travel membership that saves you hundreds on flights has a new name, and in honor of the rebrand, you can get 30% off a Premium membership with code 6AMCITY30. What you’ll get: last minute weekend trips, mistake fares, and early deal alerts. ✈️*

Sports

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Sip your CBD

Get Earlybird CBD in drinks at Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, Maie Day, and other Austin restaurants. | Photo by Molly Culver, courtesy Earlybird CBD

Participating in Dry January doesn’t mean your drinks have to be boring — just check out our mocktails guide.

If you’re looking for a little extra oomph in your non-alcoholic beverages, here are six Austin spots with CBD-infused drinks.

Bouldin Creek Cafe | Sip on a rose CBD tea at this popular South First brunch spot.

Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden | Add Austin-based Earlybird CBD to your coffee drink or to a “Liquid Sunshine” energy and recovery elixir.

Jugo | Add in CBD or hemp protein to any smoothie at the fresh juice bar.

Lazydaze Coffee Shop | Enjoy a non-alcoholic, CBD infused Ranch Water, a CBD kombucha, or a CBD iced tea at this South Austin coffee shop and store.

Maie Day | This new SoCo steakhouse’s “Tranquilizer” features blood orange, lime, tamarind, tajin, and Earlybird CBD.

Taquero Mucho | This pretty-in-pink Tex Mex restaurant serves a watermelon margarita with CBD and agave at brunch.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by London.

Editor’s pick: Even though it’s not an Austin-based organization, I have to share reader Meredith T.'s response to our callout for local language-learning resources:

“I met my husband when he tutored me in Spanish on a website called BaseLang, which is based in Medellin, Colombia. Talking live with a native speaker is the best way to become fluent (and apparently meet a potential spouse!).”

Thanks for sharing, Meredith. ❤️

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? It’s never too early in the year to start gardening. 🪴

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Figi, London Gibson, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Camille McLeod | Advertise with us.

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