Kolkata Foreign Language Courses

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There are several Universities, the embassy’s cultural center, and private institutes offering various language classes in the city of joy.

With globalization gathering pace and the world is becoming a much smaller place, it is crucial to be adapt to intercultural situations.

In such circumstances, people are often caught off guard due to language barriers.

We all have different reasons to learn a foreign language.

Of all the benefits, immigration, study abroad, hobbies, and careers in languages are the most sought-after reasons.

If you’re not sure which one to learn, you can read which language is best for you.

The next important step is where to study?

16 Top Centers Offering Language Courses in Kolkata

In this article, you will find extensive information about “Where to learn foreign languages in Kolkata.”

While I couldn’t highlight every great program out there below, I have enlisted some of the reputed institutes providing foreign language courses in Kolkata.

1. University of Kolkata

Founded on January 24, 1857, The University of Calcutta is one of the oldest universities in the country.

Its alumni and faculty include four Nobel laureates, namely Ronald Ross (Medicine), Rabindranath Tagore (Literature), C. V. Raman (Physics), and Amartya Sen (Economics).

It is recognized as a “Five-Star University” and a “Centre with Potential for Excellence” by UGC and NAAC.

(i) Department of Arabic & Persian

Established in 1907, the Arabic and Persian department, one of the oldest departments, has produced many scholars, administrators, teachers, and Arabic & Persian language experts in India.

The center offers MA and Ph.D. in Arabic and Persian language courses in Kolkata.

Eligibility criteria for MA and Ph.D. are BA (Hons) and MA, respectively, in the same language, and selection is made through a merit list and Entrance Test.

(ii) Department of French

Established in 1939, the University of Kolkata’s Department of French offers Pre-MA, MA, and Ph.D. in French. Admission in MA and Ph.D. in French is made based on the entrance exam.

The total number of seats for M.A. and Ph.D. is 10 and 5, respectively.

The department gives particular focus on French and Francophone literature, literary translation.

(iii) Department of Languages

Established in 1917, the department of languages teaches nine foreign languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Persian, Russian, Spanish, and Tibetan.

The graduate students can apply for Certificate and Diploma Courses in Arabic, Chinese, French German, Korean, Persian, Russian, Spanish, and Tibetan.

The department also offers BA (Hons.), Pre – MA, MA, and Ph.D. in Russian.

The University of Kolkata is the best university to learn Russian in East India.

2. Jadavpur University (School of Languages and Linguistics)

Jadavpur University is a public state university located in Kolkata.

School of Languages and Linguistics is an outcome taken by the Jadavpur University for pursuing research across disciplines and Foreign language courses in Kolkata.

The school is functioning under the Faculty of Arts, and currently, the School of Languages and Linguistics offers:-

• 1-year Certificate in French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. 
• 1-year Diploma in French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean.
• 1-year Advanced Diploma in French and Japanese.

3. Rabindra Bharati University (School of Language and Culture)

Named after Rabindranath Tagore, The School of Language & Culture at Rabindra Bharati University offers a wide array of short-term foreign language courses in Kolkata.

You can choose between French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Russian, and Arabic.

The Certificate and Diploma courses are divided into four semesters of 6 months each.

4. Amity University, Kolkata

Undergraduates interested in foreign languages can major in French and German at Amity University through Amity School of Foreign Languages.

The 3-year bachelor’s degree in foreign languages offers a multidisciplinary curriculum, focusing on language, literature, history, and culture.

The eligibility criteria is 12th, and admission is given based on first-come-first-served.

Address: AU, Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Rajarhat, New Town.
Phone: 033 – 7102 0304.
Email: admissions@kol.amity.edu
Website: LINK

5. Ramakrishna Mission School of Languages

Established in 1961, Ramakrishna Mission School of Languages in Golpark has created a niche for being one of the best foreign language centers in Kolkata.

The School of Languages offers Beginners and Advanced–Level certificate courses in 14 international languages.

You can pick one between Ancient Greek, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Persian, Russian, and Spanish.

The school employs state-of-the-art language learning techniques and has a modern and well-stocked language library.

The center offers various language courses at the level of Junior, Senior Certificate, Advanced Certificate/Diploma, and Communicative Courses.

Besides, it also provides 6-month communication courses in Chinese, French, German, and Spanish.

Address: RMIC, Golpark.
Phone: 033 – 2464 1303/04/05.
Email: rmic.golpark@gmail.com
Website: LINK

6. French at Alliance Française du Bengale

Affiliated to France’s embassy, The Alliance Française du Bengale is a French cultural center offering the French language course in Kolkata.

All classes are structured according to the CEFR and French proficiency tests.

There are plenty of good reasons to learn French, and AFB is the best French language institute in Kolkata.

Address: 57A Park Street, Park Mansions, Gate 3, Flat 15.
Phone: 033 – 4006 4801/8.
Email: course.assistant.kolkata@afindia.org
Website: LINK

7. German Course at Max Mueller Bhavan

The career Scope of German is full of possibilities.

Suppose you are looking for German Language Courses in Kolkata. In that case, the Goethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan is the best choice.

The German embassy cultural center offers a comprehensive program as per the German proficiency test.

The entire course is divided into six levels: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.

Address: Park Mansions, Gate 4, 57A, Park Street.
Phone: 033 – 2264 6602.
Email: info@kolkata.goethe.org
Website: LINK

8. Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC)

Inaugurated in 1974, the Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC) came into existence in Kolkata.

Affiliated with the embassy of Russia, the center offers various part-time/short-term Russian language courses in Kolkata.

Plus, they also promote Russian culture and tradition, foster Russian higher educational institutions, and organize plenty of events.

Address: 3, Gorky Sadan, Victoria Terrace, Elgin.
Phone: 033 – 2283 2742.
Email: india_kolkata@rs.gov.ru
Website: LINK

9. Cucchiaio d’Argento (CDA)

Cd’A Global Language Centre is a foreign language teaching institute in Salt Lake, Kolkata. India.

CDA Centre offers various extensive and customized French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, and Korean courses.

Cd’A also prepares candidates for International proficiency exams like Goethe Zertifikat, DELF, DALF, TCF, TEF, DELE, SIELE, HSK, JLPT, TOPIK, etc.

Address: BJ-11, Sector 2, Salt Lake City.
Phone: 98310 77005/37005.
Email: cdalanguage@gmail.com
Website: LINK

10. The School of Chinese Language (Zhongwen)

Zhongwen – The School of Chinese language is one of three authorized Chinese language centers in India affiliated with Hanban and the Confucius Institutes.

Zhongwen is also one of the HSK exam centers in India.

The institute offers various Mandarin Chinese language courses in Kolkata.

Address: 190, 3rd floor, Sarat Bose Road.
Phone: 75960 11783/4/5.
Email: chinese@zhongwen.in
Website: LINK

11. Learn Italian at IICCI

The Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IICCI) offers Italian language courses in Kolkata to meet various requirements.

The Italian courses are designed following the CEFR and Italian proficiency tests.

A complete Diploma course, comprising three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Proficient.

12. Japanese at Nili Japanese

Nili Japanese School is one of the famous Japanese Institutes located in Santoshpur, Kolkata. The courses follow the guidelines of the Japanese language proficiency test.

Nili delivers various services that cater to general students and the corporate world, seeking to undertake their chosen verticals regarding Japanese culture and language.

Address: 82, Kali Kumar Majumdar Road, Subodhpark, Santoshpur.
Phone: 99003 28044.
Email: info@nilijapanese.com
Website: LINK

13. Indo-Japan Welfare and Cultural Association (IJWCA)

Founded in 1998, The Indo-Japan Welfare and Cultural Association (IJWCA) is one of the oldest Japanese institutes in Kolkata.

With its three two-storied buildings, the IJWCA divided the Japanese course into four levels — Beginners’, Junior, Intermediate, Senior, and Advanced (6-month each).

It runs two sessions a year from January to June and July to December.

The Japanese institute also holds specialized coaching for JLPT preparation and one of the seven authorized JLPT exam centers in India.

Address: 18/4, Pramathesh Barua Sarani, (Ballygunge Circular Road).
Phone: 033 – 2475 3773/98305 67176.
Email: iindojapanwca@gmail.com
Website: LINK

14. Korean Culture and Language Centre (KCLC)

Are you interested in learning Korean in Kolkata but not sure where to go?

Well, Korean Culture And Language Centre is amongst the most trusted Korean institute in Kolkata.

Established in 2001 by Mrs. Chang Sung Hee, KCLC facilitates Korean language and cultural education.

KCLC provides courses at four levels — Beginners, Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

With highly professional teachers and affordable lessons, KCLC is a fabulous choice for Korean learners.

13. Indo-Japan Welfare and Cultural Association (IJWCA)

Founded in 1998, The Indo-Japan Welfare and Cultural Association (IJWCA) is one of the oldest Japanese institutes in Kolkata.

With its three two-storied buildings, the IJWCA divided the Japanese course into four levels — Beginners’, Junior, Intermediate, Senior, and Advanced (6-month each).

It runs two sessions a year from January to June and July to December.

The Japanese institute also holds specialized coaching for JLPT preparation and one of the seven authorized JLPT exam centers in India.

Address: 18/4, Pramathesh Barua Sarani, (Ballygunge Circular Road).
Phone: 033 – 2475 3773/98305 67176.
Email: iindojapanwca@gmail.com
Website: LINK

14. Korean Culture and Language Centre (KCLC)

Are you interested in learning Korean in Kolkata but not sure where to go?

Well, Korean Culture And Language Centre is amongst the most trusted Korean institute in Kolkata.

Established in 2001 by Mrs. Chang Sung Hee, KCLC facilitates Korean language and cultural education.

KCLC provides courses at four levels — Beginners, Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

With highly professional teachers and affordable lessons, KCLC is a fabulous choice for Korean learners.

Address: AE 545, 1st Ave, Sector-1, Bidhannagar.
Phone: 033 2321 1115 / 9903 628514.
Email: tigerjg74@daum.net
Website: LINK

15. Spanish Study Centre in DumDum & Salt Lake

Are you looking for Spanish courses in Kolkata and not sure which one is right for you?

Well, then the Spanish Study Centre in DumDum and Salt lake is one riveting option for you.

Established in 2003 and affiliated with Indo Latin American Association, it teaches a distinct approach towards acquiring this beautiful language in its original authentic form.

Their Spanish courses have three levels – Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. The duration of each module is of approximately seven months, including two exams, Midterm and Final.

The Spanish classes in Kolkata follow the guidelines set out by the DELE and SIELE exams.

Besides, the Spanish Institute makes the students acquainted with Spain and Central and South America’s culture through activities, like movies to improve Spanish, seminars, and other cultural programs.

Address: (i) 41B, Debinibash Road, DumDum and (ii) FE 415, Salt Lake.
Phone: 86971 38808 / 99037 37827.
Email: spanishstudycentre@yahoo.in
Website: LINK

16. INDO HISPANIC Language Academy

Over the past many years, Indo Hispanic language academy has become a popular name in teaching Spanish in Kolkata. In addition to the Spanish language, it encourages students to dive deep into Spanish and Hispanic culture.

They have divided the course into 3 levels — basic, advanced, and post-advanced. The duration of each level is 32 hours/4 months.

They also provide customized classes like Spanish for business, conversational Spanish, Spanish for professionals, individual sessions, DELE and SIELE exam preparation, and corporate training.

Address: 1st Floor, 4 Maharaja Tagore Road, Dhakuria.
Phone: 8443071127.
Email: indohispanica@yahoo.com
Website: LINK

If you are thinking of pursuing Foreign Language Courses in Kolkata. Then, you are requested to get in touch with the respective institute for further information.

I hope this article will help you zero down the best institute in the City of Joy.