Learning a new language is a fun way to experience a new culture, meet new people, and, frankly, make conversations a little more interesting. Whether it’s immersive programmes with fellow beginners or experienced, polyglot teachers leading the class, we’ve rounded up the best Joburg language schools to visit for an effective learning experience.
Goethe-Institut South Africa
Language focus: German
The Goethe-Institut aims to cultivate international and local cultural exchange through the arts, sciences and languages. With over 100 institutes worldwide, and 14 in the sub-Saharan region, including the one in Johannesburg, the Goethe-Institut is committed to fostering transnational diversity, understanding and trust.
The Joburg Language Department offers German lessons at the Goethe-Institut and otherwise supports German teachers in the country and works closely with the South African Department of Education.
When: Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 6pm. Friday, 8.30am to 2pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: 119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood
Website: goethe.de/ins/za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 442 3232
What’s on at the Goethe-Institut
International House Johannesburg
Language focus: English
Joburg is home to people from different backgrounds, and many of those backgrounds don’t always include English.
The International House of Johannesburg, an affiliate of the globally renowned International House World Organisation (IHWO), offers students a chance to learn English with a dedicated, all Cambridge-certified faculty.
The school is also the only independent IELTS (International English Language Testing System) testing centre in South Africa, making it a vital stop for anyone looking for university admissions or immigration opportunities in countries like the USA, Australia, the UK, and Canada.
When: Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 8.15am to 4.30pm. Closed on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Where: 5 Winchester Rd, Parktown
Website: ihjohannesburg.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 339 1051
Alliance Française Johannesburg
Language focus: French
Founded in 1950, the Alliance Française of Johannesburg is a non-profit organisation that promotes the French language and culture in South Africa. As part of a global network of over 800 Alliances Françaises, the Joburg institute is committed to spreading the French language and fostering cultural exchange between France and other countries.
With qualified teachers who either hold a Master’s in teaching French as a Foreign Language or are trained through various programmes implemented through the Embassy of France in South Africa and training centres in France, students are guaranteed access to experts that full understand the French language.
The school offers various classes, including toddler classes, kids classes, private lessons, and even corporate courses. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, the school’s diverse range of courses accommodates every proficiency level.
When: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: 17 Lower Park Dr, Parkview, Randburg
Website: jhb.alliance.org.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 646 1169
Linguistika
Language focus: English, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese
Founded in 2020, Linguistika is a global language atelier led by Stephanie Schaffrath and features a team of native English, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese speakers.
The school caters to students of all ages, from toddlers to adults, and, by prioritising language skills, celebrates a student average mark of 86% in international language examinations across all levels, from A1 to C2. In addition to the language classes, Linguistika also offers online cultural seminars, allowing you to indulge in the richness of cuisine, music, art, and more.
When: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Where: Linguistika, 49 6th Street, Linden
Website: linguistikaza.wixsite.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 073 4111 355
The Language Guild
Language focus: English
Featuring individual classrooms for the different language levels, The Language Guild caters to local and foreign students who want to improve their English communicative skills in their daily lives or the workplace.
The classrooms are spacious, with desks and chairs, and students follow a set syllabus and a core textbook. The courses include General English (Beginners – Advanced), Corporate Language Training (CLT), combination classes in general and business English (Elementary – Advanced), tailor-made corporate in-house training, and ACE Certificate in TEFL. They are also the only centre offering the UK Border Agency examination.
When: Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 1pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: The Language Guild, 14 Beryl St, Cyrildene, Johannesburg
Website: thelanguageguild.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 615 6496/082 600 6437
The Spanish Academy South Africa
Language focus: Spanish
As the founder of The Spanish Academy in South Africa, Slade created a space over twenty years ago where students can learn Spanish.
The school’s intimate Spanish classes help beginners learn conversational Spanish, thus making travelling to South America, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries much more fun and exciting.
When: Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm. Saturday, 8am to 12pm. Closed on Sunday.
Where: The Spanish Academy South Africa, 161 6th Ave, Percelia Estate, Johannesburg
Website: spanishmadeeasy.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 455 5341
Magri’s Language Institute
Language focus: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Arabic, Sotho, Zulu, Afrikaans, Japanese, and Mandarin
Situated in Parktown, Johannesburg, Magri’s Language Institute offers a quality service and excellence in language training, with teachers who are university graduates with a TEFL qualification and are professionally trained in teaching the Direct Individualised Approach®
A student’s journey begins with a placement test to ensure that they are placed in the appropriate course level. Using the Direct Individualised Approach®, Magri’s Language Institute integrates all four language skills equally, together with grammar, leaving students speaking the language right from day one.
The courses include English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Arabic, Sotho, Zulu, Afrikaans, Japanese, and Mandarin. Students are continually assessed throughout the course, reflecting the institute’s personalised interest in ensuring that one’s objectives are achieved and a certificate is awarded after satisfactory completion of a course level. A diploma is only awarded at the end of the advanced course.
The school also assists students IN finding good-quality accommodation in guesthouses, self-catering apartments, or with friendly host families. There are a variety of hotels near the school for business people, and airport transfers are available on request.
When: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Magri’s Language Institute, Dunkeld Park, 6 North Rd, Dunkeld West
Website: mlilanguageschool.co.za | Email: [email protected]/[email protected] | Tel: 011 482 8187/3585
ABC International
Language focus: English
ABC International is dedicated to simplifying global communication, with a comprehensive curriculum designed to help clients build confidence and enhance their communication skills.
With courses including foundation, basic, intermediate, and advanced, the institution delivers high-quality and relevant spoken and written English language programmes to a diverse community.
When: Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 4pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: ABC International, 122 De Korte St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Website: abcinternational.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 403 2171/ 082 880 1461
English Access Gauteng
Language focus: English
Located in the Field and Study Centre in Parkmore, English Access Gauteng offers a range of English language courses, including General English, Business English and English for Career Success.
Their courses are also available online, and they cater to full- and part-time students, with students placed in class according to the level achieved on the school’s English placement test.
The school also offers Urban Safari – a unique English programme blending language learning with immersive South African cultural experiences – as well as French, IsiZulu, and Arabic.
When: Monday to Friday, 8am to 3.30pm. Saturday, 8am to 12.30pm. Closed on Sunday.
Where: English Access Gauteng, Sandton Field & Study Centre, Louise Ave, Parkmore
Website: englishaccess.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 065 635 9822
Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – Johannesburg
Language focus: Turkish
The Yunus Emre Enstitüsü in Johannesburg is a cultural hub for all things Türkiye, offering comprehensive Turkish language courses designed for various proficiency levels and taught by native speakers and professional instructors.
The institution also hosts virtual exhibitions and even stocks a library with an array of Turkish books and literature.
When: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Saturday, 9am to 1pm. Closed on Sunday.
Where: Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – Johannesburg, 1 Pretoria St, Oaklands, Johannesburg
Website: facebook.com/joburgyee | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 010 446 1910
Lingual Express Pty Ltd
Language focus: over 20 languages, including Zulu, Setswana, French, Arabic, Swahili, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, Greek, and Latin
Teaching over 20 languages, including Zulu, Setswana, French, Arabic, Swahili, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, Greek, and Latin, Lingual Express Pty Ltd is an online school that caters for children in grades 1 to 12, as well as adults.
The school features experienced, qualified, and well-trained online language instructors and tutors, who are also well-equipped to teach both local and international syllabi, such as International GCSE, AS Level, IEB, CAPS, and CEFR. The school has developed partnerships and relationships with schools, homeschool centres, and online school centres.
When: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Online
Website: lingual-express.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 062 461 4917/074 230 7716
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