Hello there. So you want to learn a language or improve your linguistic skills? We’ll be happy to help.
ILI is a language school brimming with human kindness and we’re ready to go the extra mile to support you on your language learning journey.
Welcome to ILI’s language programs!
However you’d like to learn a language, the chances are we’re going to be able to help you. We’re a human-first language school, so you won’t find any self-study or app-based learning with us – there will always be a real-life, friendly, well-qualified language teacher in the room – either virtually, or in our warm, welcoming language school in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts, USA.
Here are some language program options to consider:
Stay where you are! Group or private language classes, in real time with a live teacher, delivered to you remotely online anywhere in the world.
Head downtown for a classroom experience! Group language classes in real life in our friendly Northampton (Massachusetts, USA) school
Learn a language through work. Our workplace programs can be at your place, our place or online. In Mass, many programs can be state funded.
Study English for free: We help refugees and asylum seekers to integrate quickly. If that’s you, you could be eligible for free language lessons.
Learn to teach English. We run the SIT TESOL program which equips you with the skills you need to start teaching English in the US and overseas.
Have a teacher to yourself. If you’re in a rush, love the focused attention or want to concentrate on specific language topics, you can book private language lessons which we’ll provide live online, or in person.
Let’s get this language learning party started! Choose a language to discover the options available.
We love all things French and France, and we have a full range of programs both in the US, online or all the way over to Europe. That includes Paris of course.
German is a fun, quirky and strangely mathematical language, and our programs will bring out the hidden German in you! German courses in USA and Germany.
Italian has a vibrancy to it like no other European language. Sophisticated and classy, yet earthy and familiar at the same time. We have many ways to learn!
Learn Portuguese at ILI! The language, like our classes are full of sunshine and joy. Learn with us here in Massachusetts, or head straight abroad!
“ILI has literally changed my life, much for the better. I started taking beginners Spanish there fifteen years ago. That lead to an intercambio (language exchange), which lead to lifelong friendships with a Columbian woman and a Salvadoran family. I’ve also been able to travel and work in Spanish-speaking countries, where, due to the confidence I gained at ILI, I am able to make presentations in Spanish and converse with local workshop participants. I still take classes at ILI, which helps me improve my skills and meet new people. I’ve never had a class at ILI where we didn’t laugh and share stories and thoroughly enjoy ourselves.”
Lawrence HottDocumentary Filmmaker at Florentine Films/Hott Productions
Unsure of the level you are at in the language you want to learn? Don’t worry, we are here to help.
Ask Samira for an assessment in the language you are interested in. She will arrange an appropriate instructor to assess you in a 5-minute conversation, and then when you register for a course, we can place you in the class that will be best for you.
If you are a zero-level beginner, you’ll start in our Level 1 class, so need for an assessment.
See if our frequently asked questions answer what’s on your mind…
Selected FAQs
Some of our teachers are native speakers and others have native and near native fluency.
We do not currently offer scholarships in the World Language program.
ILI can assist you in finding local accommodation. *Rented rooms for $165 per week are within a short distance of the school. There is a $125 housing search fee for this service. If you need this service, please fill out the Home-stay portion of your application.
No, there is no financial aid for language classes. However, Career counselors at MassHire Career Centers can help you apply for an Individual Training Account (ITA), which provides financial support to job seekers who need occupational skills training in order to successfully re-enter the workforce. Eligible individuals choose from a pre-approved list of training courses, which include English teacher training courses and TESOL course distance learning, and tuition costs are paid directly out of the ITA. To find out if you are eligible for an ITA for your TESOL Certificate cost, please contact a MassHire Career Center.
Northampton is 2 hours from Boston and 3 hours from New York City. Students can take a bus to Boston or NY City for about USD$39-45 (one-way) sometimes even less. By train it can cost USD$35-81.
Our students in the World Language Program tend to be aged anywhere between 17 and 88 years old.
ILI is located in a historic building in downtown Northampton. It has heating and air conditioning, natural light, glass whiteboards and wifi. There is a kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and an electric kettle next to a student lunch area. Students often bring their own lunch from home to reheat it at school and enjoy lunch time together. Right outside our school there are many coffee shops, restaurants, shops, galleries and parks. Downtown Northampton has a lively atmosphere and is a popular destination for tourist seeking a mix of art, entertainment, and delicious dining experiences. It’s the perfect place to learn English!
English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish
Private tutorials can be scheduled for online or in-person at ILI in Northampton.
All teachers are skilled professionals with Master’s Degrees or TESOL certificates and a minimum of one year teaching experience in innovative and student-centered teaching. ILI’s staff has over 100 years of combined experience working with learners from beginning to advanced levels.
Immerse yourself in the German language and culture with our ultimate guide to learning German in Germany. From choosing the right school to making the most of your time abroad, discover tips and insights to accelerate your fluency, navigate cultural nuances, and fully embrace your language learning journey.
Is there a better way to spend a Saturday morning in early March than picking up some new ways to better serve our community, meet like minded people, and have some delicious snacks?
Lawrence Hott Documentary Filmmaker at Florentine Films/Hott Productions
