The benefits of learning a foreign language are well documented. In fact, studying a second language has benefits reaching from improved reading scores in childhood to better career opportunities as an adult.
If you’d like your child to start learning a foreign language, you’re in luck. Several great programs are offered in the metro Detroit area that provide a wide range of options to help you get started. Some foreign language programs are open to kids as young as toddlers.
You might also find great foreign language study programs at your local school district or through a private, language-immersion school. This list focuses on the after-school options available.
Do you have a favorite foreign language program in the area? Tell us in the comments!
AllianceFrancaise de Détroit
- Address: 7100 Lindenmere Drive, Bloomfield Hills
- Phone: 248-538-5440
- Language taught: French
Also known as the French Institute of Michigan, this school’s classes are available for ages 4 and older for bilingual and non-bilingual children. Teen and adult programs also available.
American Chinese School of Greater Detroit
- Address: 1300 Derby Road, Birmingham
- Phone: 248-224-1207
- Language taught: Chinese
This non-profit educational institution operates during school year weekends and serves more than 700 enrolled students. A total of 46 Chinese classes are offered for students in grades K-11, plus bilingual classes.
Ann Arbor YMCA
- Address: 400 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor
- Phone: 734-996-9622
- Language taught: Spanish
Spanish Zone class teaches kids ages 3-5 about combining words, phrases, reading and more through games, songs and other activities.
Ann-Hua Chinese School
- Address: Meets at Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor
- Language taught: Chinese
Pre-K children through adults can take part in programs to learn Chinese language and culture. Classes available for beginner to advanced.
Bilingual Fun
- Address: 30428 Milford Road, Suite 272, New Hudson; classes offered at various libraries, schools and other locations throughout metro Detroit
- Phone: 877-686-7399
- Language taught: Spanish
Spanish is taught through music, games and hands-on activities. Classes are bilingual and offered at various times, depending on location.
Bright Loritos
- Troy: 2605 Crooks Road, Suite 2; 248-649-6790
- Novi: 24293 Novi Road; 248-719-7858
- Rochester: 543 N. Main St., Suite 412; 248-841-1569
- Languages taught: Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic and French
In addition to full immersion preschool classes in Spanish and Mandarin, Bright Loritos also offers weekly classes for kids ages 1-12, plus camps and more.
Deutsche Schule Tutoring Detroit
- Address: 200 W. 2nd St., Suite 424, Royal Oak
- Phone: 248-721-9107
- Language: German
Monika Kitchen offers private German language tutoring for middle and high school student who are in need of some extra practice. Contact for details and to set up sessions.
Greek School at Asumption Greek Orthodox Church
- Address: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Cultural Center, 21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores
- Phone: 586-779-6111
- Language taught: Greek
Children and adults are welcome to sign up for Greek school, where they’ll learn Greek and also about dance, mythology and more about the culture.
International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit
- Address: 111 E. Kirby St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-817-8600
- Language taught: Spanish
Languages other than Spanish are available, but call ahead to see the class schedule for Spanish classes. English as a second language also available.
RussianABC School
- Address: 4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor
- Phone: 734-730-0604
- Language taught: Russian
Classes in Russian language and literature are offered from 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Saturdays at the First Unitarian Universalist Church. Open to ages 3 and older.
Saint John Paul II School of Polish Language and Polish Culture
- Address: St. Florian Roman Catholic Church, 2626 Poland St., Hamtramck
- Phone: 313-871-2778
- Language taught: Polish
Classes are held on Saturdays and students learn Polish language as well as history, geography and religion.
Studio Espanol
- Address: 988 S. Adams Road, Suite 206, Birmingham
- Phone: 248-971-0465
- Language taught: Spanish
Private tutoring is offered for children of all ages and adults. Small group classes are also available.
The Father Jozef Dabrowski Polish School
- Address: 3535 Commerce Road, Building 13A, Orchard Lake
- Phone: 586-242-2077
- Language taught: Polish
Kids ages 4-15 can start learning the Polish language through this program – plus they’ll learn history and geography and much more. There are also classes available for adults. Classes run Fridays in the evenings.
Troy School District – Continuing Education
- Address: 201 W. Square Lake Road, Troy
- Phone: 248-823-5100
- Languages taught: Mandarin Chinese
The Mandarin Chinese classes for kids start at age 4 for beginners and go up from there. Programs are open to all – Troy resident or not. Other programs may be available by season; call or see website for details on costs, times and dates.
Other foreign language opportunities
Novi Public Library
- Address: 45255 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi
- Phone: 248-349-0720
International story times for preschoolers are offered occasionally throughout the year. Stories are read in Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean and Tamil.
This post was originally published in 2015 and has been updated for 2017.
