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The following is intended as a guide to some of the language opportunities in and around Edinburgh. Listing does not imply endorsement. Email us if you have a group we can include.
Languages classes
All Languages
Languages For All : Short courses in a wide choice of languages for adult learners at the University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh City Council adult education : Adult learning from Edinburgh City Council, including language courses
Edinburgh College language courses : Modern languages for adult learners from Edinburgh College
Bulgarian
Saturday school at Leith Academy from ages 4 to 19. Email for more details: bgschooledinburgh@gmail.com
Chinese
Alba Cathay Chinese school Saturday morning Chinese classes based in Boroughmuir High School
Edinburgh Chinese Community School Saturday afternoon classes based in Liberton High School
Farsi
Edinburgh Persian School Children’s classes on Saturdays at Bruntsfield Primary School
French
La Petite École d’Edimbourg Classes for children of French speaking parents, run by parent volunteers.
Mini French Variety of children’s classes from babies to Primary 2.
Gaelic
Edinburgh City Council Gaelic Education: Primary & Secondary Gaelic medium education in Edinburgh
German
Allemann Fun: Saturday school for German speaking families, based in James Gillespie high school.
Universe of language : Private company offering language lessons in German, mainly for children and offering immersion sessions for toddlers and preschoolers.
Greek
Edinburgh Hellenic School of St. Andrew, Edinburgh: Greek language courses for adults and children
Polish
Drummond Community High School Mondays 16:45 – 18:45
Baxter Park in Dundee Saturdays 10 – 11
Portuguese
Lusofonias – Oficinas de Português Children’s classes in The Old School House (Free church of Scotland), Morningside Road, Saturdays 11.00 – 13.00 during term time
Punjabi
Lorne Primary School Children’s classes, Wednesdays 15:30-17:30 and Thursdays 15:30-17:30.
Russian
Russian School in Edinburgh: Russian classes for children aged 2-14
Spanish
Aula en Edimburgo Spanish Courses: Various levels in Tollcross Community Centre
Urdu
Royal High Primary School Children’s classes, Tuesdays 15:15 – 17:15 during term time
Tyne Castle High School Children’s classes, Fridays 13:30 – 15:30 during term time
Community groups and playgroups
French
Les Petiots d’Edimbourgh Organises events and activities for families bringing up children in French and English around Edinburgh
German
Deutschsprachige Spielgruppe : Monthly playgroup run by German parents
Portuguese
Brasil-Caledonia: Monthly meetings with activities for bilingual children
Spanish
Asociación Española Alba – Saturday playgroup and other activities
Conversation and meetup groups
All Languages
Yakety yak language cafe Small group conversation in choice of languages – various days and locations
Boda bar language cafe Language exchange, Monday evenings on Leith walk
Chinese
Chinese Meetup Group: For Chinese-English language exchange (free)
Dutch
Dutch Meetup Group: for Dutch expats and those wanting to learn Dutch (free)
German
German Meetup Group: for Germans and German speaking people (free)
Italian
Italian Meetup Group: for Italian speakers and those wanting to learn (free)
Japanese
Japanese Meetup Group: for those interested in Japanese culture and language (free)
Spanish
Spanish Meetup Group: for native Spanish speakers or advanced learners (free)
Edinburgh Spanish Circle: informal meetings for Spanish speakers and learners
Cultural resources and language networks
Edinburgh libraries: Books and films in a range of languages in libraries throughout Edinburgh
Multi-Cultural Family Base: Voluntary organisation providing flexible and personalised services to children, young people and their families
Pregnancy and parents centre in Edinburgh: (formerly Birth Resource Centre) provides support before and after childbirth. Includes international parents group.
Danish
Danish-Scottish Society: Network of Danish speakers in Scotland
Danish Cultural Institute: Promotes cultural exchange between Denmark and Scotland
French
French Institute in Scotland: Promotes cultural exchange; also provides French language classes
le Petit Monde: French-English Puppet theatre and story books for young children
Theatre Sans Accents: French and English bilingual theatre workshops for adults and children
German
German Church in Edinburgh: German speaking congregation of Edinburgh and Aberdeen
Greek
Greek Orthodox Church in Edinburgh
Italian
Italian Cultural Institute: Promoting cultural exchange; also provides language classes
Polish
Scottish Polish Cultural Association: Website for Polish People in Edinburgh
Association for the Promotion of Polish Language Abroad: Promoting the Polish language in Scotland
Polish language campaign: Polish language information on bilingualism
