Boston's Best Bilingual Extracurricular Activities For Kids
The culturally rich city of Boston offers ample after-school or Saturday extracurricular activities to give children a little extra knowledge or experience in language and culture. People from around the world have made their homes in Boston, bringing languages together through the thread that ties them all together: English in America. Boston is a place where diversity is appreciated, and its cultural composition has earned it a world-renowned expectation of a quality cultural experience. To accomplish bilingual immersion, many cultural experiences are beloved extracurricular activities because they work to bring language and culture together in ways kids actually enjoy. These are the best Boston has to offer.
Boston Public Library
65 Warren St.
Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 859-2446
bpl.org/
Price: free
New English speakers practice English in an informal group setting at the Boston Public Library. Main Boston Public Library and its 10 branches all host conversation groups perfect for learning language. Library branch locations are Brighton, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, East Boston, Faneuil, Dorchester, Honan-Allston, Hyde Park, Roslindale, South End and, of course, the main branch at Copley Square.
8 County St.
Walpole, MA 02081
(617) 201-9561
germansaturdayschoolboston.org/
Price: $840
German Saturday School Boston introduces cultures of German speaking countries to children ages 4 to 17. Founded in 1874, it's the oldest language school for children in Massachusetts. Saturday morning classes are held at Diamond Middle School 99 Hancock St. in Lexington, Mass., and reach roughly 300 kids a year. The program does require application and acceptance, so sign up soon.
Korean Church of Boston
32 Harvard St.
Brookline, MA 02445
bostonkoreanschool.org/
Click here for pricing options
The Boston Korean School provides Korean-American students the opportunity to learn about Korean culture and history, and to speak the Korean language in a comfortable, familiar setting. Children enjoy Saturday classes in Tae Kwon Do, and arts and crafts as well all while immersed in their native culture.
53 Marlborough St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 912-0400
frenchculturalcenter.org
Click here for class and pricing options
The French Cultural Center's non-profit organization of Boston was founded in 1945 and now offers French classes to children age 1 and older. If your child is a native French language speaker or a learner of French as a second language, you will find the right class for him or her at any age. Literature, songs, games and crafts enrich students while they play. The progression of learning here is adapted to the age and level of learning of your children. Conversation and grammar help is also available.
PO Box 1366
Boston, MA 02130
(617) 417-9463
123spanishtogether.com
Click here for class and pricing info
Order a party in Spanish for your children: a true fiesta. Puppets, instruments, balloons, music and fun, all in Spanish will come to you via this organization, which promotes giving a lifelong ability to communicate. It also offers interactive workshops to parents and teachers who would like to teach Spanish through music, movement and puppets.
Student Activities Office
1 University Road
Boston, MA
(617) 353-3635
buic.org/
Price: free
Boston University India Club started in 1981, and every year since, it has hosted festivals offering henna tattoos, bhangra teaching sessions, dodge ball, tug of war, dance, history, culture, community and public relations. Most importantly, this is the place to meet and practice language with fellow Indians. BUIC is the largest group of South Asians on the East Coast. It offers community service events, dinners, basketball tournaments, festivals and two huge cultural shows a year.