Where to learn a new language on Long Island

A vacation is a wonderful excuse to learn another language. Or maybe you want to connect with your heritage. Plenty of Long Island organizations offer classes in Spanish, French and Italian - some even give lessons in Eastern European and Asian languages as well.

Classes are generally held once per week over several months, and students are clustered by proficiency level. Groups whose lessons emphasize conversation will often welcome newcomers in the mid-cycle. In others, you'll get a taste of culture and history along with your serving of vowels, verbs and nouns. Be sure to ask about family classes and those geared toward kids.

Where to learn, by lanuage: 

POLISH

When / where: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursdays in 12-session cycles, Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, 314 Great Neck Rd., Copiague, 631-842-3999, foreignlangschli@aol.com

Cost: $129, plus $40 textbook

Copiague has a vibrant Polish history - as evidenced by Polish delis, restaurants and bakeries that can still be found in town today. Learn the basics of Polish with Izabela Wojcicki and Marta Wesolowski at their weekly class. "You don't have to have an ear for languages," says Wojcicki. "But you will come out being able to carry on or follow a simple conversation after the first semester." For beginners.

HADASSAH HEBREW

When / where: 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays (ongoing), Mid-Island YJCC, 45 Manetto Hill Rd., Plainview, 516-822-3535, ext. 347, miyjcc.org

Cost: $36 ($25 members)

Organizers say those who have a basic knowledge of Hebrew will build on that base to be able to comfortably read, write and converse in the language. For advanced adults.

YIDDISH

When / where: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Mondays for six weeks (next session March 8), Suffolk YJCC, 74 Hauppauge Rd., Commack, 631-462-9800, ext. 140 or customer service

Cost: $86 ($72 members)

If you can read the Hebrew alphabet, you're welcome to join this adult group, which will, among other lessons, read and discuss "Fiddler on the Roof" in the original Yiddish by Sholom Aleichem. For advanced adults.

RUSSIAN

When / where: 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays or 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Sunflower Center, 262 Glen Head Rd., Glen Head, 516-277-1515, sunflower-center.com

Cost: $25 (group class), $40 private lesson

The Sunflower Center hosts several classes in conversational and beginner Russian. "These are small groups, usually not more than six people," says Marina Terentiev, owner and director. You can also take private lessons. For beginners-advanced.

IRISH

When / where: 7:15-10 p.m. Thursdays, Gerry Tobin Irish Language School, 27 Locust Ave., Babylon, 631-957-7776, scoilgaeilge.org

Cost: Free

Students start by learning basic conversations and progress to Irish language reading, says instructor Patrick Clifford. For beginners of all ages.

GERMAN

When / where: Beginning class for adults, 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday; advanced adults 7:15-8:45 p.m. Monday; kids' lessons 4:30-6 p.m. Saturdays at Stony Brook University through Deutsche Sprachschule Long Island / German Language School Long Island, 631-589-9426, dssli.org

Cost: $30 per month

Adults who take German lessons typically want to visit Germany or come from German backgrounds, says school Principal Christa Siegel-Dittmar. Lessons incorporate aspects of German culture, too. For beginner-advanced students of all ages.

GREEK

When / where: Ongoing lessons for adults and families meet 6-7:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday program for kids in kindergarten through Grade 8; St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church, 1 Shrine Place, Greenlawn, 631-261-7272, stparaskevi.org

Cost: Varies. $750 for family of four taking two classes per week for a semester; $550 for kid's program September-May.

The evening program breaks up students by skill level, tailoring lessons to student interest and needs. The more structured children's program teaches reading, writing and speech as well as folk dancing, Greek history and other aspects of Hellenic tradition. For beginner-advanced students of all ages.

Also: The Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons offers language classes for children as well as private tutoring for all ages (111 St. Andrews Rd., Southampton, 631-283-6169).

HINDI

When / where: By appointment, Saturdays and Sundays, Hindu Community Center, 80 E. Barclay St., Hicksville, 516-433-4388 or 626-808-5457, asamai.com

Cost: Donation

"We teach simple phrases, how to carry on a conversation, and about the culture and the history," says instructor and center religious leader Swami Adrish Anandn. Lessons are flexible and can touch on culture, meditation, yoga and religion. For beginners of all ages.

CHINESE (MANDARIN)

When / where: 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays for 10 sessions beginning March 8, Garden City High School, 170 Rockaway Ave., 516-478-1070, www.gardencity.k12.ny.us

Cost: $75 ($60 residents)

Offered through the continuing education program. For adult beinners.

Also: The Dix Hills Chinese Cultural Association gives language lessons for all ages and skill levels 7-9:45 p.m. Friday evenings at Half Hollow Hills High School West. The evening includes two periods of language followed by a class on Chinese culture ($300 per semester, 631-882-3473 or e-mail principal@dhcca.org).