The Haitian Creole Language Institute of New York

🌱 New to Kreyòl?

You’ve never studied Haitian Creole before, but you’re ready to start — whether it’s for travel, family, work, or just because you’ve always wanted to. Our Elementary track builds you up from zero, one real conversation at a time. You’ll be using Haitian Creole with confidence surrounded by an encouraging community!

→Start with Elementary Level I

🏡 Reconnecting with your roots?

You grew up hearing Kreyòl at home — from your parents, your grandparents, your community — but never quite learned to speak it yourself. Our Heritage Learners track meets you where you are, honoring what you already understand and helping you finally speak it with confidence.

→ Start with Kreyòl pou Dyaspora Level I

🧭 Prefer to learn at your own pace?

Get paired with a fellow Kreyòl learner at your level for flexible, self-guided practice — with instructor support built in. Perfect if you’re not ready to commit to a full course but still want to keep building your skills. This is an ongoing monthly program with several options to build community – starting at $10/month.

→ Start with the Language Partner Program

Testimonials/Temwen

Wynnie is a thoughtful and dedicated teacher who is incredibly passionate about Haitian Kreyòl and Haitian culture. After taking weekly classes with Wynnie for a few months, I had a strong foundation of language structure and a basic vocabulary to help me communicate in Haiti. Through Wynnie’s support and continuing classes over the years, I was able to easily transition to a job in Port-au-Prince that requires the use of written and spoken Kreyòl.

AR

Long time student

Working with Wynnie felt like home. As a Haitian Kreyòl heritage learner she was incredibly affirming. She does a great job of mixing cultural and linguistic components in order for students to get more acquainted with their identity. Great experience!

AL

Haitian Artist & Former Student

This is the BEST place to learn Haitian Creole and you even get to immerse yourself into the Haitian culture through supporting local Haitian businesses, enjoying Haitian food, and more!

GL

Kreyòl Language Advocate

Having to host a myriad of informative and entertaining events, I find HCLI to be one of few institutions in New York that truly makes an effort to engage and build relationships with the community that it is dedicated to serve. Keep up the good work!

CB

Community Partner

We can’t wait to have you join our community! In the meantime, check out these FAQs. These are some of the most commonly asked questions that we receive.

Commonly Asked Questions

Have questions? We’ve got answers.

Q: How fluent will I be after taking classes at the Kreyòl Institute?

This will all depend on what kind of student you are. We make sure to provide you with a full range of resources that will help you set yourself up for successfully learning Haitian Creole. However, the amount of time you are able to dedicate outside of class time greatly impacts how you learn and what you retain of what you learn.

Q: Who teaches the courses at the Kreyòl Institute?

Our courses are taught by native Kreyòl language speakers who have experience teaching. Kreyòl Institute Instructors follow a research-backed curriculum that engages all four aspects of language: speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension. All of our instructors have lived in Haiti for extended period of time and have intimate knowledge of Haitian culture and history.

Q: I don’t want to learn Haitian Creole but I am interested in other aspects of Haitian culture. What else does the Institute offer other than language courses?

We are a full service language firm and cultural institution. We offer interpretation and translation services, voice over work and much more. Additionally, we often host workshops and programs that focus on different aspects of Haitian culture, like Haitian spirituality, Haitian music, Haitian medicinal herbs, and more. Make sure to sign up for our mailing list or follow us on social media to keep up with the latest news on programming at the Kreyòl Institute.

Ki sa k ap bouyi?

Language Partner Program

Zodiac Signs in Kreyòl

Free Kreyòl Phrase Guide

Full-length Courses in Haitian Creole / Kreyòl Ayisyen

HCLI provides a structured environment that promotes disciplined learning, all while having fun and being in community with other Kreyòl language learners. Our courses are primarily synchronous and use research-backed & original materials that help students progress quickly in their language learning. At HCLI, we maintain a close cultural connection to Ayiti while engagin in #RevolutionaryTeaching techniques.

Culturally Relevant Programming

Our focus at HCLI is teaching Haitian Creole using a cultural lens. We provide our students with culturally relevant programming that allows them access to different aspects of Haitian culture – from music & dance to spirituality & food. HCLI programming is also often open to the public, giving students an opportunity to create even more connections to the Haitian community beyond the HCLI space.

Full Service Kreyòl Language Firm

HCLI is a full service language firm with over a decade of experience that offers a wide range of services such as translation, legal interpretation, dialect coaching, voiceovers, cultural training workshops, and more. We pride ourselves on providing native-level work while keeping updated with changes in the Kreyòl language as it evolves daily. Our focus is entirely on Kreyòl Ayisyen.

Focus on Heritage Learners / Dyaspora Ayisyen

While HCLI has something for anyone who is looking to learn Haitian Creole, we pride ourselves on providing space dedicated to Heritage Learners of Haitian Creole. This is a space created particularly with the Haitian Diaspora in mind. We know the importance of being part of a community with others who have gone through a similar experience and we honor how that helps folks on their language learning journey.

Ready to start your Kreyòl journey? Enrollment is open now.

Do you want to keep up with what’s happening at the Kreyòl Institute? Sign up for our mailing list now to get regular updates on our classes, programming, events, and more!

Mailing list sign up

🌱 New to Kreyòl?

🏡 Reconnecting with your roots?

🧭 Prefer to learn at your own pace?

AR

AL

GL

CB

We can’t wait to have you join our community! In the meantime, check out these FAQs. These are some of the most commonly asked questions that we receive.

Q: How fluent will I be after taking classes at the Kreyòl Institute?

Q: Who teaches the courses at the Kreyòl Institute?

Q: I don’t want to learn Haitian Creole but I am interested in other aspects of Haitian culture. What else does the Institute offer other than language courses?

Language Partner Program

Zodiac Signs in Kreyòl

Free Kreyòl Phrase Guide

Full-length Courses in Haitian Creole / Kreyòl Ayisyen

Culturally Relevant Programming

Full Service Kreyòl Language Firm

Focus on Heritage Learners / Dyaspora Ayisyen

Ready to start your Kreyòl journey? Enrollment is open now.

Do you want to keep up with what’s happening at the Kreyòl Institute? Sign up for our mailing list now to get regular updates on our classes, programming, events, and more!

Meet the HCLI Team: Kiyès nou ye?

Wynnie Lamour-Quansah

Nerlande Pierre-Louis

Glenda Lezeau

Briana Philemy

Darnelle Champagne

Learn from instructors who know the language — and the culture behind it. Reserve your spot today.

Some Quick Facts About Ayiti!

# Akademisyen ki genyen nan Akademi Kreyòl la

# of letters in the Kreyòl Alphabet

# of people who speak Kreyòl worldwide (in the millions)

# of years Ayiti has been independent

Ban m zòrèy nou!

Still thinking it over? Classes fill up fast — don’t wait to sign up.