Free Chinese, Japanese, Korean classes in Pittsburgh.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is an invaluable source of free and enriching programming for people of all ages. Most relevant to this site are the free Chinese, Japanese, and Korean courses at an increasing number of branches. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to revisit this list of free courses available for children, complete novices, high-beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced speakers.

Chinese
With an increasing number of Chinese students and scholars in the area---and, in particular, an increasing number of Chinese students studying foreign language education---comes an increase in the amount of Chinese-language programming in the city. New classes and one-off events happen frequently at branches throughout the city, so be sure to check the "Events" page often. Here are free Chinese courses in order of proficiency level.

Chinese for Beginners (Squirrel Hill) - Every Saturday at 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in Squirrel Hill (map).

This class is for those who are new to Chinese. Experience the Chinese language through fun story-based exercises geared towards helping you develop fluency. This class meets every Saturday.

No registration is required. New participants are welcome at any time.

Chinese for Beginners (Oakland) - Every Sunday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in Oakland (map).

This is an introduction for those who are new to Chinese or consider themselves a little bit rusty. This group meets on every Sunday, from September 10 through December 17, in the Graphic Novels Room. This class session runs from September through December.

These classes are FREE.
You do not have to register for the classes.
You do not need to bring anything or buy anything.
New participants are welcome at any time.
This class is for adults, but young people are welcome as long as they behave respectfully.

Let's Learn Chinese - Every Thursday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in Children's room in Oakland (map).

Experience Chinese language and culture through books, storytelling, songs, games and more!

"Mandarin Chat Time" - A series of three Saturday sessions at West End (map) on September 22, September 29, and October 6. Topics are "What's Your Name?", "What Chinese Year Were You Born?", and "Fun With Chinese Symbols".

Chinese II - Every Saturday at 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Squirrel Hill (map).

Chinese II is geared toward those who already have a basic understanding of the language and are interested in increasing oral proficiency. This class meets every Saturday.

No registration is required. New participants are welcome at any time.

Chinese Conversation Club - Second and fourth Thursdays in Oakland (map).

Would you like an opportunity to converse in Chinese? This informal conversation club is open to anyone with a prior knowledge of Chinese. This group meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the Graphic Novels Room.

These classes are FREE.
You do not have to register for the classes.
You do not need to bring anything or buy anything.
New participants are welcome at any time.
This class is for adults, but young people are welcome as long as they behave respectfully.

Japanese
Japanese for Beginners - Second and fourth Monday of each month from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in Oakland (map).

Japanese for Beginners is an introduction for those who are new to Japanese or consider themselves a little bit rusty. This group meets on second and fourth Mondays in Classroom A. This class session runs from September through December.

These classes are FREE.
You do not have to register for the classes.
You do not need to bring anything or buy anything.
New participants are welcome at any time.
This class is for adults, but young people are welcome as long as they behave respectfully.

Let's Learn Japanese - Saturdays at 11:30 am to 12:00 pm in Oakland (map).

Hello! Hola! Konnichiwa! Through books, rhymes and songs, children will pick up vocabulary while boosting their listening and literacy skills. Exploring languages during childhood can pave the way to becoming multilingual later in life.

Storytime: Japanese and English - monthly event for small children in East Liberty (map)

Celebrate our city’s diverse culture as we explore new words through songs, action rhymes and stories in both English and Japanese for children and their parents or caregivers. For children age birth-5 and their caregivers.

Japanese Class - Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in East Liberty (map).

Learn Japanese from fluent speakers in a fun and friendly environment. All are welcome.

Japanese II - Second and fourth Tuesdays each month from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in Oakland (map).

Japanese II is geared toward those who already have a basic understanding of Japanese and are interested in increasing proficiency. Ability to read and write hiragana is required to take this class. Meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month in Classroom A. This class session runs from September through December.

These classes are FREE.
You do not have to register for the classes.
You do not need to bring anything or buy anything.
New participants are welcome at any time.
This class is for adults, but young people are welcome as long as they behave respectfully

Japanese Conversation Club - First and third Tuesdays each month from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Oakland (map).

Japanese Conversation Club is an opportunity for intermediate to advanced speakers of Japanese to come together and converse as well as to learn about and enjoy Japanese culture. Join us on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Graphic Novels Room.

These classes are FREE.
You do not have to register for the classes.
You do not need to bring anything or buy anything.
New participants are welcome at any time.
This class is for adults, but young people are welcome as long as they behave respectfully.

Korean
Korean for Beginners - Saturdays from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm in Oakland (map).

Korean for Beginners focuses on reading, grammar and basic conversation. This group meets every Saturday, September 9 through December 16 [also August 26] in the Graphic Novels Room. This class session runs from September through December.

These classes are FREE.
You do not have to register for the classes.
You do not need to bring anything or buy anything.
New participants are welcome at any time.
This class is for adults, but young people are welcome as long as they behave respectfully.

Korean II - Saturdays from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm in Oakland (map).

Korean II is geared toward those who already have a basic understanding of Korean and are interested in increasing proficiency. This group meets every Saturday, from September 9 through December 16 [also August 26] in the Graphic Novels Room. This class session runs from September through December.

These classes are FREE.
You do not have to register for the classes.
You do not need to bring anything or buy anything.
New participants are welcome at any time.
This class is for adults, but young people are welcome as long as they behave respectfully.

Korean Conversation Club - Every Saturday (except the second Saturday) each month from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm in Oakland (map).

Would you like an opportunity to converse in Korean? This informal conversation club is open to anyone who wants to improve their Korean through reading articles, watching dramas and having group conversations. Note: This class requires at least intermediate level of fluency in Korean. This group meets every Saturday, except the 2nd Saturday of each month, from September 16 through December 16 [also August 26] in the Third Floor Conference Room.

These classes are FREE.
You do not have to register for the classes.
You do not need to bring anything or buy anything.
New participants are welcome at any time.
This class is for adults, but young people are welcome as long as they behave respectfully.