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Whether you're looking to brush up on your French or get started with British Sign Language, we offer a range of language classes. All hosted from our cosy Stockport bookshop.
We've always seen the shop as more than just a bookshop and wanted it to be a place you were as comfortable buying a coffee or signing up for an event as you were buying a book. Now, we fully realise that vision with the launch of our language classes, a key part of our cultural programming!
"Since taking over at Simply Books, language classes have been top of our list to launch but only if we could hit the highest quality bar that we set for ourselves. After much effort, we think we've done it with our unique mix of highly qualified instructors and perfect bookshop setting."
"I've been meaning to learn for years and I can't believe how quickly I improved." - Emma
Each class has a maximum of 10 learners, meaning you get the support and attention you need
Courses run for a maximum of 10 weeks, which means you don't need to lock yourself in for a full year
We searched high and low for language teachers who could serve up short courses with a big impact.
After training and working as an actor, Adam changed course in 2005 and took on the challenge of learning Spanish as an adult while spending time in Madrid. After five years of dedicated study, he became a Spanish teacher, completing a PGCE at the University of Manchester before teaching in secondary schools for several years. From 2018 to 2024, he lived in Aberdeen, where he taught both Spanish and Drama. Now based in England, he focuses on teaching Spanish to adults, a long-held ambition. He enjoys the shift in audience—so far, no detentions or phone calls home have been necessary!
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Amélie moved to the UK ten years ago to complete a PhD in French Studies. She has been teaching French ever since, both privately or in institutions such as the Alliance Française. She is now a teaching and learning professional, specialised in interdisciplinary learning and teaching theories of leadership to 100s of students each year at the University of Manchester. Her research background is in pedagogy in the arts, and she's passionate about how we learn. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
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Rino enjoys teaching Italian as a natural progression from a long career in journalism and multimedia. He firmly believes that learning a language is learning a culture and a lifestyle, so his students can expect to hear about Pinocchio (the real one, not the Disney adaptation), Rossini and his crescendo, Prosecco, Rosso Ferrari and, of course, spaghetti alla carbonara. There is little that gives him more joy than seeing students getting excited when they discover the unmistakable rhythm of the Italian language.
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BSL tutor, June, has over 30 years of experience teaching BSL and is the Deaf Services and Youth Services Lead at Walthew House, a charity supporting Deaf, Blind and Visually Impaired people across Stockport and the wider area.
She is a Deaf with voice BSL user and an Independent Advocate when required.
One payment for you whole course. No faff. No hidden fees.
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Start your French adventure with our fun and accessible beginner class—perfect for new learners, or rusty ones!
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Blending a combination of signing skills and d/Deaf awareness, you'll start signing from week one in this interactive course, designed to get you started with British Sign Language.
Discover the language of poets and artists with our Italian classes. Over ten weeks we'll help you take your skills from 'bonjourno' to bellissimo.
Whether you're a complete beginner or you have a vague memory of how to order a pizza, our ten-week Italian course will get you familiar with all the basics you'll need to start conversations, ask questions and share ideas. With a group of like-minded learners, you'll build your Italian vocabulary and leave knowing why no one says 'bonjourno'.
Already familiar with the basics? Join our Italian Intermediate class where you'll build on your Italian skills, improve your pronunciation and deepen your understanding. Alongside a group of like-minded learners, you'll leave confident sparking conversations and, most importantly, say gnocchi like nonna would.
Whether you've always wanted to read Don Quixote
in its original form or just say jalapeño like a local, we've got you covered with our 10 week Spanish classes.
Whether you're a complete beginner or you have a vague memory of how to order a cerveza, our ten-week Spanish course will get you familiar with all the basics you'll need to start conversations, ask questions and share ideas. Please note, this group will contain some learners who have attended during Term 1- but you will catch up in no time!
Already familiar with the basics? Join our Spanish Intermediate class where you'll build on your Spanish skills, improve your pronunciation and deepen your understanding. Alongside a group of like-minded learners, you'll leave confident sparking conversations and, most importantly, be able to understand all your favourite TV shows in their original language.
Always fancied reading Les Misérables in its original form? Then discover our ten week course that will take you from bonjour to bon mot.
If you took French as a teen, but realised that, these days, you can only talk about your (alarming number) of pets, then this is the course for you. Alongside a group of like-minded learners, you'll start with the basics as you build your French vocabulary and finally master how to order a café au lait like a Parisian. Perfect for complete beginners and those who haven't used French in a while.
Finally mastered the past and present tense? Then join Amelie for a ten-week course that will take your French from d'accord to distingué. Alongside a group of like-minded learners, you'll learn how to share ideas, discuss future plans and perfect your pronunciation over ten weeks. Perfect for learners who can understand and use common phrases and expressions related to everyday situations.
We have even more languages and courses coming soon. Keep your eyes peeled for our German language classes, Italian language classes and BSL Level 1 course.
From the buzzing streets of Berlin to the fairytale castles of Bavaria, learning German opens doors to a rich and dynamic world
Interested in studying for your BSL Level 1 exam? We plan to be host a Signature approved course that will help you prep for your BSL exam.
Got a question that's not answered here?
Drop us an email to hello@simplybooks.co.uk, or use the chat button at the bottom right of this page.
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