If you've toured beauty schools around Los Angeles or Orange County, you may have walked into a classroom and realized you couldn't follow the lecture — because it wasn't being taught in English. It's one of the most common worries we hear from people deciding where to enroll: "Are the classes actually taught in English?"
At Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy in Santa Fe Springs, the answer is simple. Every class is taught in English — cosmetology, esthetician, and nail tech. Here's what that means for your training, your license, and your career.
The short answer: yes, every class at Beyond is taught in English
All instruction at Beyond is in English. Lectures, demonstrations, textbooks, handouts, and the practice questions we use to prep you for the State Board exam are all in English. There's no second language you need to keep up with, and no translation gap between you and your instructor. If English is the language you think and speak in, you'll understand everything happening in the room.
Why this question comes up in Southern California
Southern California has one of the most diverse beauty industries in the country, and beauty programs here are taught in many languages — English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and more. That diversity is a real strength of our region. But it also means the language of instruction varies a lot from school to school, and a class taught mostly in a language you don't speak is hard to learn in, no matter how strong the program is.
So the real question isn't which school is best in the abstract — it's which language you want to learn in. If that's English, Beyond is built for you.
Why learning in English matters for your beauty career
Choosing a school where you understand the instruction isn't just about being comfortable in class. It shapes how ready you are to work. A few reasons it matters:
- You learn the trade vocabulary you'll actually use. Most salons, spas, and barbershops across LA and Orange County run on English with clients and coworkers. Learning color formulation, skin analysis, and sanitation terms in English is what prepares you for the floor.
- Manufacturer training and advanced education are in English. Beyond's curriculum is built on Dermalogica protocols and official Aprés Gel-X certification, and the large majority of brand classes, trade media, and continuing education you'll take after graduation are in English.
- You can ask questions and get answers in real time. The best learning happens when you can stop your instructor, ask "why," and get a clear answer right away. That only works when you and your instructor share a language.
What about the State Board exam?
Here's an honest point a lot of schools skip: you do not have to take the California State Board exam in English. Since 2022, California requires only a written exam to get licensed, and that exam is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. We break down the whole thing in what to expect on the California State Board beauty exam.
So language isn't a barrier to getting licensed. What learning in English changes is everything around the license — how well you understand the material while you're in school, and how ready you are to work in an English-speaking market once you pass. At Beyond, you'll study in English and practice on our free English-language State Board practice exams, so the way you learn matches the way you'll work.
Every program at Beyond is taught in English
All three of our programs are taught entirely in English:
- Cosmetology (1,000 hours). The broadest beauty license — hair, color, chemical services, skin, and nails — taught start to finish in English.
- Esthetician (600 hours). Skincare, facials, waxing, and lash and brow work, with a Dermalogica-based curriculum delivered in English.
- Nail tech / manicuring (400 hours). Acrylics, gel, nail art, and official Aprés Gel-X certification — taught in English.
That last one is worth calling out. Nail programs are one of the areas where the language of instruction varies most from school to school across the region. If you want to train as a nail tech and you want that training in English, Beyond's manicuring program is taught in English from day one.
Bilingual students are welcome — and it's an advantage
Teaching in English doesn't mean we expect English to be your only language. Many of our students and their families are bilingual, and in this industry that's a real asset — being able to talk with clients in both English and Spanish can grow your book of business fast. What stays consistent is the language of instruction: every student learns the same material, the same way, in English.
If you're still building your English and you're not sure whether you're ready, the best thing to do is come see a class. Schedule a tour, sit in for a bit, and you'll know quickly whether you can follow along.
Common questions about language of instruction at Beyond
Are classes at Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy taught in English?
Yes. Every class — cosmetology, esthetician, and nail tech — is taught entirely in English, including lectures, demonstrations, textbooks, and practice exams.
Does Beyond teach any classes in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, or Chinese?
No. All instruction at Beyond is in English. Bilingual students are welcome, but the language of instruction is English for every program.
Do I need to speak fluent English to enroll?
Because classes are taught in English, you'll want to be comfortable enough in English to follow instruction and take part in class. If you're not sure whether your English is ready, schedule a campus tour and see a class in action — it's the fastest way to find out.
Is the California State Board exam only in English?
No. California's written licensing exam is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. Beyond teaches in English, which prepares you to work in an English-speaking market, but you can choose the exam language that fits you best.
Are the nail tech classes taught in English too?
Yes. Beyond's 400-hour manicuring program — including Aprés Gel-X certification — is taught in English, just like our cosmetology and esthetician programs.
See for yourself — schedule a tour
The best way to know whether a school fits is to visit. Come tour Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy in Santa Fe Springs, meet the instructors, and sit in on a class taught in English. We're convenient to Downey, Norwalk, Whittier, Pico Rivera, La Mirada, Cerritos, and Fullerton.
Schedule a campus tour or call us at (562) 404-6193. You can also browse all of our programs or check the FAQ for more on schedules, tuition, and financial aid.
