Language Classes
Whether you’re learning for work, travel, personal growth, or connection, the Tennessee Language Center (TLC) can help you get there. As part of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, we’ve helped thousands of learners across Tennessee and beyond build real-world language skills — taught by expert instructors who are native or near-native speakers.
We offer both:
At TLC, you won’t just memorize vocabulary — you’ll use the language in small, interactive classes designed to build confidence, fluency, and cultural understanding. It is our mission to help language learners achieve their unique goals.
Group Classes
TLC offers affordable, small group classes in some of the most popular world languages.
- 9-week courses | 2 hours per week
- Beginner to advanced levels
- Four terms per year: Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall
- Ages 16 and up
- Taught both in-person and online
Levels:
Our group classes are aligned to levels of proficiency targets based on the guidelines recommended by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). For more information, visit this page.
Cost:
Fees for classes vary by language, level, and format (online v. in-person). It is best to check our catalog for fee information.
We do offer a number of discounts. Be sure to check and see if you qualify for them.
Please also make sure you are familiar with our refund policy for group classes.
| SUMMER 2025 | FALL 2025 | WINTER 2026 | SPRING 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGISTRATION OPENS & CLASS SCHEDULE IS AVAILABLE | June 2, 2025 | Aug. 25, 2025 | Dec. 2, 2025 | March 2, 2026 |
| LAST DAY FOR EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT (-$) | June 23, 2025 | Sept. 15, 2025 | Jan. 5, 2026 | March 30, 2026 |
| TERM BEGINS | Week of July 7, 2025 | Week of Sept. 29, 2025 | Week of Jan. 19, 2026 | Week of April 13, 2026 |
| CLASSES DO NOT MEET ON | Sept. 1, 2025 | Oct. 31 and week of Nov. 24-28 | Jan. 19, 2025 | May 25, 2026 |
| TERM ENDS | Week of Sept. 1, 2025 (Sept. 8 for Monday classes) | Week of Dec. 1, 2025 (Dec. 12 for Friday classes) | Week of March 16, 2026 (March 23 for Monday classes) | Week of June 11, 2026 (June 15 for Monday classes) |
Custom Classes
Whether you’re an individual, a small group of friends, or part of a business or organization, TLC offers customized language classes designed around your needs — your schedule, your location, and your goals.
Learn almost any world language with maximum flexibility. You choose the frequency and format that works for you: once a week, twice a week, daily — online or in-person. Classes can be held at TLC’s Nashville office, at your workplace, a local coffee shop or library, or entirely online.
Custom classes are ideal for:
- Friends or family learning together
- Travelers preparing for an upcoming trip
- Professionals seeking a new skill
- Businesses and organizations training staff to serve diverse communities
- Teams needing industry-specific vocabulary and communication skills
TLC works with you to assess your goals and build a course tailored to your interests — including terminology relevant to your job, field, or mission. Whether you’re starting from scratch or building on existing knowledge, our expert instructors create an engaging, effective path to language learning.
Wherever you’re starting from, we’ll help you get where you want to go — one class at a time.
- # of Students
- 1
- 1
- 2
- 2
- 3
- 3
- Hours Purchased
- 10
- 20
- 10
- 20
- 10
- 20
- Rate/Person/Hour
- $65
- $62.50
- $42.50
- $40
- $35
- $30
- Total
- $650
- $1,250
- $850
- $1,600
- $1,050
- $1,800
Custom Language Instruction Policy:
- Custom classes are only sold in either 10-hour or 20-hour packages.
- Students are required to make any schedule change or cancellation at least 24-hours before the session. If 24-hour notification is not given, an hour will be subtracted from the 10-hour or 20-hour package, and the instructor will report an hour of their time. Schedule changes and cancellation requests must be made via email to your instructor.
- No 10% early-bird registration or 15% group discounts should be applied to custom classes. We kindly ask students not to use them at checkout, or we will ask you to pay the discounted portion back.