Languages

Learn a Language - Online & in London

Over 30 modern and ancient world languages taught by expert tutors!

Here at City Lit, we offer over 30 different language courses catering to all levels, from beginners to advanced — with both online and classroom formats. Our classes range from European languages such as FrenchGermanItalian and Spanish to Asian, African, and even Ancient and Classical languages. So what do you fancy learning? JapaneseKorean, Arabic, Russian, Classical Greek, Old English or British Sign Language — take your pick!

Our part time courses are designed to fit around your schedule, you'll find a suitable language class for you whether you would like to attend in the evening, daytime, or on weekends. We also offer short, intensive and fast-track courses if you need to learn in a hurry, as well as one-day workshops and taster language lessons.

Beginner to advanced level courses

We teach most languages at seven different levels and you can start anywhere from beginner to advanced. Our approach to learning is to teach you how to communicate effectively in real-life situations. We select content that is relevant to your needs. If you are a beginner, you will learn how to use the language as opposed to just repeating words and sentences as you would do with an app. We teach you to communicate rather than repeat. 

Use our self-assessment tool to help you choose the right course for your level.

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  1. Discovering Late Imperial China: Ming to Qing, 1500-1800
    Course start date:  Tue 30 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Qiuyang Chen
    Journey into the heart of China's transformative era, where dynastic intrigue met daily life's rich fabric. Grasp the complexities of power, ethnic interplay, and innovation in an age of change in Late Imperial China.
    Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £58.00
  2. Exploring the memory politics of East Asia
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 4 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Qiuyang Chen
    Discover how memory shapes politics in East Asia. Explore pivotal case studies from China, South Korea, and Japan to understand the impact of collective memory on national identities and international relations.
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
  3. The Russian Revolution
    Course start date:  Thu 9 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Zoe Quinn
    In 1917 two revolutions swept through the Russian Empire. The second, in October, is a pivotal moment in modern world history, leading to the creation of the Soviet Union. This introductory interactive lecture course explores how and why these two revolutions occurred. Tutor: Zoe Quinn.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
  4. Understanding Irish indentured servitude in the Caribbean
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 11 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Terrence Maxwell
    Unearth the hidden tales of Irish indentured servants in the Caribbean. This course explores their struggles, cultural influences, and lasting impact, revealing a captivating chapter in history.
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £38.00
  5. The history of the FBI: 1908-1976
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 13 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Dafydd Townley
    The online course will assess the impact of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the leadership of its first Director, J. Edgar Hoover, on US politics, society and culture from its beginnings in 1908 until 1976.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £45.00
  6. "From Birth to Battle: The RAF, 1914-1945"
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 14 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Online





    This course will explore how air power developed in Britain between 1914 and 1945.







    Taught by:



    Dr. Powell a Teaching Fellow in Air Power and Strategic Studies at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell as part of the Portsmouth Military Education Team. He holds a PhD in Modern History from the University of Birmingham. His first book The Development of British Tactical Air Power, 1940-1943: A History of Army Co-operation Command was published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2016. He has published in a wide range of peer-reviewed journals and is a regular TVP World (Poland) and British Forces TV. His current research investigates the relationship between the Air Ministry and the British aircraft industry in the inter-war period.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
  7. Medieval pilgrimage
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 14 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Vanessa King
    Take a virtual tour of the ‘must see’ pilgrimage sites of medieval Europe. Pick up tips from William Wey, a seasoned pilgrim of the fifteenth century, as you plan your trip to Jerusalem.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
  8. The capital of the Safavid Empire: Shah Abbas I and the transformation of Isfahan (1501-1736)
    Course start date:  Fri 17 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Roberta Marin
    This course will trace the origins and development of the Safavid dynasty and the ongoing conflicts with the Ottoman neighbours. The choice of Isfahan as the capital of the empire will be also analysed.
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
  9. How America replaced Britain in the Middle East 1945-2003
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 18 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Nomaan Hanif
    This course charts the post 1945 entrance of the United States into the Middle East and the power struggle which ensued with Britain as a consequence. The course pierces the official discourse on the transatlantic relationship and provides a different perspective on how to understand and explain the volatile politics of the region. Tutor: Noman Hanif.
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
    Rating:
    92% of 100
  10. The Maya Calendar: Circles Of Time
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 1 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Gary Retallick
    The Maya Calendar, previously little known outside the realm of academic research, rose to worldwide prominence in 2012, since the cycle of the Calendar ended on 21st December of that year and the myth arose that the world would end when that cycle of the Calendar ended. This misinterpretation of the Calendar arose out of a lack of understanding of Maya culture, an understanding which can be obtained, at least in part, through a careful analysis of the Calendar itself.
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £38.00
  11. Modern African history: understanding the state and economy since independence
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 4 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Ingrid Aguiar Schlindwein
    Explore post-colonial Africa's political, economic, and social journey since independence. Gain insights into state building, governance, development, and identity, fostering a holistic understanding of Africa's historical evolution.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
  12. The Portuguese Empire; establishment, world-making, demise and legacies
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 5 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Ingrid Aguiar Schlindwein
    A journey through the rise and fall of the Portuguese Empire. Uncover pioneering navigation, understand colonial societies in Brazil, Africa, and Asia through their economies, culture, independence struggles, and legacies.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
  13. A divided dynasty: the Great Seljuks in Iran (1040-1157) and the Sejuks of Rum in Anatolia (1081-1307)
    Course start date:  Fri 7 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Roberta Marin
    After leaving behind the steppes of Central Asia, the Seljuks abandoned nomadism, converted to Islam and settled in Iran and later also in Anatolia.
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
  14. Ancient India: The Harappan Civilisation in the Indus Valley
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 8 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Ketan Varia
    Want to know more about the ancient Harappan Civilization thriving in the Indus Valley from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE? Join us to learn more!
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
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About the City Lit School of Languages

Language courses at all levels and in 19 different languages are offered at City Lit. Whether you would like to attend part-time or weekend language classes, our highly popular language lessons offer the widest choice in London. Most language courses are taught at seven different levels and you can start anywhere from beginner to advanced.

Our tutors

Tutors are experienced and friendly, and you can choose from evening, day time or weekend language classes. We also offer early morning sessions and intensive courses to help you learn a language at a time and in a way that suits you best. In many languages you can take an accredited course, with national and international qualifications selected for their relevance to adult learners.

Professional development language courses

We can also offer tailored language training in your workplace, which can be a fast and convenient way to learn a language to help improve your skills for work or develop your business.