Sepia Language Study
Learn how to learn language.
About Our School
Sepia Language Study is a community language school in Vancouver, WA. We currently offer all levels of Spanish, French, English, and German, with options to study in person, online, or abroad. Our school was created to be an accessible community alternative to university courses without the limitations of the public school and university systems. We cater to students of all ages and fluency levels; if you have experience in your target language of study we encourage you to schedule an evaluation on our registration page to determine which of our courses would best suit you. The cost of your evaluation will be deducted from your course tuition when you enroll.
Sepia offers group classes that meet twice a week for 12-week terms to focus on vocabulary, conversational proficiency, and grammar, as well as an array of elective classes taught in the target languages for well-rounded, real world application. Many of our elective courses may be taken as drop-ins, and we encourage students studying language with us here in our 12-week courses as well as those studying elsewhere to give them a shot! Spanish Study and French Study Memberships allow for unlimited elective drop-ins for a flat monthly rate, as does earning a fluency pin.
Sepia was founded in response to a frustrating lack of language education programs outside of academia, which can be time and cost prohibitive for many. Our programs are run entirely by instructors who have climbed the ladder of traditional academia themselves, and who have left that world in hopes of creating something less restrictive. Nearly all of our teachers come from public school and university teaching backgrounds, and we all left with similar frustrations in favor of a different approach. Sepia, by choice, is not an accredited institution. For students who wish to acquire a rigorous, comprehensive world language education that is comparable to traditional academia but separate from it, we offer both 2-year and 3-year certificates in Spanish and in French. Students do not need to be pursuing a certificate to study at Sepia.
Why Is It Called Sepia?
(SEE-PEE-UH)
We named our school after the color of an inviting and warm-toned old photo because that is the feeling we wanted to evoke in our classes. Public education can often feel sterile and cold, but we know very well that students learn best when they feel comfortable, welcome, and at home.
“Study” can refer both to the act of intentional learning and the cozy space it takes place in, which is why we liked the name. At Sepia, we call our classrooms “studies” – each one is cozy and dedicated to a specific target language. Come make yourself at home in our language studies!
FAQs
Are German, French, Spanish, and English the only languages you offer?
Yes. We love to hear which languages you would like to see offered in the future though!
Are your classes all in-person?
All of our classes are available in person, hybrid, or virtual. When you register for a class it will ask you to select your preference. Virtual and hybrid students may participate in class real-time with in-person students via google meet. All course materials are housed on a course-specific website throughout the duration of the term.
What age groups do you teach?
The majority of our students are working adults, though we do have a significant number of retirees as well. Youth classes are separate from adult classes and are clearly marked as such. Our youth classes range from ages 6-17.
Is there parking available?
Street parking is free after 6pm in Vancouver, and it is often easy to find for evening classes. There are also several free parking spaces available to us in the parking lot on the corner of Evergreen and Columbia, but make sure you pick one that says “2 hour customer parking” and do not overstay your 2 hours. Our lot is very closely monitored by our landlords!
Why are you called Sepia?
We named our school after the color of an inviting and warm-toned old photo because that is the feeling we wanted to evoke in our classes. Public education can often feel sterile and cold, but we know very well that students learn best when they feel comfortable, welcome, and at home.
What do I do if I have to miss a class?
If you have to miss a class entirely, let us know and we will record the missed lesson through our google meet. We will then share that video with you on google drive to watch back when you are able. All other course materials will be available on your course website.
How do I get to the school?
We are located at 1010 Washington St. Suite 260 in Vancouver, Washington (we share a building with Thai Orchid, Treat, and Dediko). Our entrance is on Washington Street through a blue-green tile archway. When you arrive, take the elevator or stairs up to the second floor (this is the only floor, you can’t mess up!) and walk straight back.
Is your school accessible?
Yes!
How much do classes cost?
Most group classes wind up somewhere between $20-$25 per hour when purchased as a 3-month term. You can find more detailed information on our pricing page.