About Lingua
A school built around conversation
We opened in 2009 with two teachers, one classroom and a simple idea: adults learn languages best by talking to each other, with a teacher who cares whether they come back next week.
Our story
From one classroom to five, and online
Camille Roussel and Lucía Ferrer met teaching at a language school in Edinburgh, where classes had twenty students and nobody got to speak. When they moved to Bristol, they rented one room above a bike shop on Harbour Lane and capped every class at ten.
Fifteen years later the bike shop has gone, and we have the whole building: five classrooms, a library and a kitchen that is always out of biscuits. Since 2020 we also teach live online, with the same small groups and the same teachers.
Students a year
1,200
Languages
6
Largest class
10
Recommend us
97%
How we teach
Four things you'll notice in every class
Half the time, you talk
Pairs, small groups and role plays. Your teacher talks less than you do.
Real voices
Podcasts, songs, adverts and news from every country that speaks the language.
Grammar when you need it
Every rule arrives with a reason to use it, never as a list to memorise.
Feedback that matters
We correct the mistakes that get in the way, not every slip.
The school
14 Harbour Lane
A four-storey Georgian house two minutes from the harbour. Come early for coffee, borrow a film from the library or stay on for the monthly conversation evening.
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Five classrooms with round tables, not rows
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A library of 2,000 books, films and comics
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Free tea and coffee in the kitchen
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Fast Wi-Fi and quiet study corners
What if I'm in the wrong level?
Tell your teacher. In the first two weeks of term you can move to another level or course for free, as long as it has a place.
What happens if I miss a class?
Your teacher shares notes and homework after every lesson. In-person students can also join the online class at the same level once a term.
Do I need to buy a book?
Our courses use one course book per level (£24). It's optional, but most students find it useful for homework.
Can I get a certificate?
Yes. Everyone who attends at least eight classes gets a certificate with their level. We can also prepare you for DELE, DELF, CILS and Goethe exams.
Is the school accessible?
Yes. There's step-free access from Harbour Lane, a lift to every floor and an accessible toilet. Classrooms have hearing loops.