Reviews
Hundreds of resources to help you teach yourself
W J Bookstore
Mandarin, Bookstores/Libraries, Kids
There are three of these bookstores around New York City, one in each of the three major Chinatowns. Besides the one listed in this entry, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, there is one on 377 Broadway in Manhattan (212-226-5131) and one…
Tenri Cultural Institute
Japanese, Museums/Cultural, Classes/Conversation, Kids
Tenri’s mission is to “promote the study of Japanese language and the appreciation of international art forms.” Located in Greenwich Village, it offers classes, exhibits, and performing-arts events.
Portugal Day NY
Portuguese, Fairs/Festivals/Parades, Sports/Fitness, Kids
This annual event takes place on a (usually hot) June day in Central Park. Activities include running races—for both kids and adults—as well as a festival, food, music, and more. The adults’ race is five miles and huge:…
Museum of the City of New York
General, Museums/Cultural, Kids
Founded in 1923, the Museum of the City of New York “celebrates and interprets the city, educating the public about its distinctive character, especially its heritage of diversity, opportunity, and perpetual transformation.” It offers exhibits as well as school and…
Museum of Chinese in America
Mandarin, Museums/Cultural, Kids
In Manhattan’s Chinatown, this small, friendly, attractive museum has a standing exhibit on the history of Chinese immigrants in the United States. It is a history full of discrimination—and achievement in spite of it. The exhibit includes…
Central Park
Arabic, Dutch, English, French, General, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Yiddish, Parks, Kids
Central Park draws international visitors year round, but if you really want to hear other languages, walk around here during the three non-freezing seasons: spring, summer, and fall. Summer especially is crazy with tourists. You can hear dozens of languages.…
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
General, Museums/Cultural, Kids
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum is a must-visit place for anyone interested in American history. Almost 12 million immigrants came to the United States through Ellis Island, and I have read that nearly half of modern-day Americans are descended from them.…
Global Language Project
Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, Classes/Conversation, Kids
This project was founded by Angela Jackson, a business executive whose experiences living and working abroad highlighted for her the advantages multilingualism conferred on children overseas, in terms of both educational and professional opportunities. Bringing together language instructors, researchers, school…
New York French American Charter School
French, Classes/Conversation, Kids
This school on West 120th Street, I was told, is the first public French-American charter school in New York City. Its larger mission, according to its website, “is to develop global citizens who are well-prepared…