How Do I Find an Asian Language School?

Monday, April 7, 2008

It can be hard to find a language school that’s right for your child. It's best to ask for a recommendation from other parents. One resource is The Chinese School Association in the United States, which lists a limited number of Chinese schools across the nation.

In the Chicago area, here are two Mandarin programs that are suitable for children who don’t already speak Mandarin at home:

Mao Bi (now closed)
Downers Grove, Hyde Park, Flossmoor, Libertyville, St. Charles, Vernon Hills, and Warrenville, IL (at Creme de la Creme only)

This is a fun immersion program with native-speaking teachers who incorporate songs, crafts, snacks, puppet shows, and cultural experiences into the classroom. There is a lot of repetition and a focus on correct pronunciation. There are classes for children ages 2 to 18. Kids receive a workbook and a CD to help them practice at home. You can call to sign up for a trial class.

Language Stars.jpg Language Stars
Arlington Heights, Barrington, Deerfield/Northbrook, Hinsdale/Oak Brook, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Naperville, Wilmette/Evanston

This is a total immersion program where native speakers teach Mandarin to the kids. They have a parent-tot class for ages 12-36 mo, as well as kids only classes for ages 3-5 and 5-8. It’s a fun program, which incorporates songs, a snack, and a craft for each class. You can call to sign up for a free class. They also offer classes in French, Spanish, German, and Italian.

There are other programs, which are more geared towards students who are already fluent in Mandarin:

Ray Chinese School
Naperville, IL

This program meets on Saturdays and has separate classes for kids who already speak Mandarin at home and for those who don’t. They have classes from preschool up through high school, as well as adult programs. There are also classes in dance, drawing, painting, chess, basketball, martial arts, and math.

Tzu Chi Foundation
Westmont, IL

Xilin Association
Naperville, IL

Which Asian language schools can you recommend?

Comments

One Proud Mom

by Shirley on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 08:45

Can anyone recommend a good Chinese language school in the Chicago suburbs for 2-5 year olds? My daughter's current Chinese language school will not have programs this summer.

Summer programs for 2-5 yo

by Asianmommy on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 09:56

Mao Bi and Language Stars both have summer programs for 2-5 year olds. Their programs are mostly for kids who don't already speak Chinese at home.

Mao Bi - no summer program

by Asianmommy on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 16:18

Sorry, I just found out that Mao Bi isn't doing the summer program this year.

no summer program

by Shirley on Sat, 05/17/2008 - 19:26

Yes, we've been attending Mao-Bi and were very disappointed to learn that their summer program is limited to their Vernon Hills location. That's pretty far for us. We also recently tried a free class at Language Stars, but my daughter didn't like it at all. She really loves her Mao-Bi class and would prefer something like that. At this point, we're not sure where we'll be taking classes. Any other programs you might recommend?

For grade school kids:Ray Chinese, Xilin

by Asianmommy on Sat, 05/17/2008 - 20:33

Ray Chinese School has a summer camp that runs from 8am to 5 pm Monday to Friday for 10 weeks, from 6/9-8/15 at Benedictine University in Lisle. The kids have Chinese language class, art, chess, go, crafts, swimming, math, music, dance, sports, and movies. You can sign up for $200/week. Likely for grade schoolers.Xilin Academy also has a summer camp from 9am to 5 pm at Benedictine University from 6/9-6/27 or Wesley United Methodist Church/Heritage YMCA in Naperville from 7/7-8/15 for those entering Grades 1-8, for $250/week. The kids learn Chinese language, songs, history, & philosophy

ChinaKids has a great summer program

by Parent on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 12:09

I wanted to recommend ChinaKids for summer camp. My daughter has been attending classes for a year and a half, and has learned a tremendous amount in that time. The teachers are realy great as well. The summer camp will be all about the Olympics in Beijing- fun! Check out: chinakidsusa.com

Thanks!

by Asianmommy on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 13:48

Thanks for the recommendation, Parent. ChinaKids summer camp sounds great.

Summer pgms

by Shirley on Tue, 05/20/2008 - 21:12

Thanks for the leads on Ray School, Xilin, and ChinaKids! I'll definitely check these out.

Chinese for 3 Year-Old

by Nello Lucchesi on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 11:26

I'm looking for Chinese language and culture programs close to Glencoe, IL (northeast corner of Cook county).

- nello

Chinese programs near Glencoe, IL

by asianmommy on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 21:19

Hi Nello,
A friend of mine sends her children to the Chinese Cultural & Educational Association (CCEA) in Skokie.

http://www.cceachineseschool.org/English/E_home.html

The school is open Sept to May on Saturdays, from 12:20 pm to 6 pm. The 3-year-old class is Parent-Tot and goes from 1:30 to 3 pm. The 3-year-old class is mostly play/crafts incorporated with language. Her daughter has a lot of fun. The teacher is very good with the kids. Her friend has a 4-year-old in the next class up and she seems to pick up a lot of Chinese. They don't mention a summer program. You can call (847) 763-1640 or email at CCEASchool@aol.com for more information.

Around Glencoe, there is Northshore Country Day School.

http://www.nscdscamps.org/language.html

They have a summer immersion program, which is from 9 am to 12 pm, Monday through Friday, from June 15-Aug 7. This is for kids ages 4 to 14. The summer camp fills up really fast, so one should sign up right away. For more information, you can see their brochure http://www.nscdscamps.org/how_to_apply/brochure2009.pdf or contact them by phone at (847) 441-3350 or email at daycamp@nscds.org.

Have you tried Language Stars in Deerfield?

www.languagestars.com

They have a summer immersion program for kids ages 3 to 5 on Thursday at 2:30 pm for 85 minutes or ages 3-6 on Thursday at 10:05 am for 2 hours from June 8 through Aug 15. You can call them to try a free class at (847) 914-0680. Here's their schedule: http://www.languagestars.com/pdfs/summer_2009/Summer_09_deerfield.pdf

Chinese schools in the NW suburbs

by Guest on Sun, 01/18/2009 - 16:37

Hi, Does anyone know of any Chinese dance/language schools (other than Language Stars) in any of these areas: Arlington Hts, Barrington, Palatine, Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg? Thank you!

Re: Chinese schools in the NW suburbs

by asianmommy on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 00:59

Hi Guest,
I have a friend who sends her child to the bilingual class at Xilin NorthWest Chinese School in Hoffman Estates. She's very happy with the teacher and the program there.

Could you let me know address

by Guest on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 11:48

Could you let me know address and phone#? Tks

Xilin Northwest Chinese School contact info

by asianmommy on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 11:56

Mailing Address:
Xilin Northwest Chinese School
P.O.Box 2500
Palatine, IL 60078

School Address:
Conant High School
700 East Cougar Trail
Hoffman Estates, IL 60194

School Hour:
Sunday 13:00- 17:00 PM

校长
Principal     王莹
Amy Wang     847-934-4296     xilinprincipal@gmail.com
副校长     杨维
Jessica Yang     847-942-7826     wyang88@att.net
校长助理     夏丽华
Lihua Xia     630-289-7903     lihua.beijing@hotmail.com
网络管理     韩保国
Jeff Han     847-705-7478     bhan11@gmail.com
总务     王珊珊
Elana Wang     630-541-8821     elanawang@gmail.com
财务
Treasurer     李虹雯
Winnie Li     847-658-3747     hongwen1970@hotmail.com

学校网址 www.xilinchinese.org

学校联系 info@xilinchinese.org

Xilin

by Guest on Fri, 01/30/2009 - 23:14

Thanks for the info - is this school primarily for people who already speak Mandarin? Our family speaks limited Cantonese (no reading/writing). Would like our daughter to learn Mandarin and Cantonese and meet other Asian children. Thanks.

Regarding Xilin NW

by asianmommy on Fri, 01/30/2009 - 23:36

I believe that most of the students at Xilin NW speak Mandarin at home. There are bilingual classes for those students who do not speak Mandarin. For more information, please visit their website or contact the school.

Chinese Instruction in Wilmette

by Nello Lucchesi on Sun, 02/15/2009 - 21:08

Just thought that I'd mention that my daughter's Chinese teacher is offering immersion classes two days a week this summer. Check her website to see all her offerings:

http://www.learnwithgrace.com/programs/index.php

Chinese Instruction in Wilmette (Typo in URL)

by Nello Lucchesi on Sun, 02/15/2009 - 21:12

That should be:
www.learnwithgrace.com/programs/index.php
(No space at the end.)

Mandrin for adults

by paul bein on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 23:32

Are there any classes in northwest Chicago for adults? I have a limited vocabulary of mandaring words so I would be a beginer or second level beginer

thanks

Hi Paul,

by asianmommy on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 23:52

I'm not familiar with any programs in NW Chicago, but the CCEA Chinese School in Skokie has adult Mandarin classes.

Year-round Chinese school in Chicago area

by Asian mom of twins on Sat, 04/18/2009 - 08:23

I live in the Near North area of Chicago and am enrolling my 3 year old twin daughters at Little Linguists Academy this summer. I have a friend who enrolled her 2.5 year old daughter in Little Linguists last fall and absolutely loves it!!! She was very particular about where her daughter was going to learn Mandarin and was leaning towards Language Stars until she heard about this school. She loved the fact that the teacher (Angel Li) previously taught at Language Stars and also used the “immersion learning” technique at her school. She also felt Ms. Li’s school had a more nurturing environment in comparison to Language Stars - an important factor since this was her daughter’s first “drop off” experience. Another bonus was that the school runs year round and offers different classes for different age/skill levels. I recently met Ms. Li and saw how wonderful she is with kids (and how well her students spoke Chinese). As you can tell, I am so excited girls will be learning Chinese from her!! Check out the school’s website: www.littlelinguistsacademy.com

Chicago-Area Chinese Language Schools for Pre-Schoolers

by Nello Lucchesi on Sat, 04/18/2009 - 14:37

Here is a list of Chinese language schools in the Chicago area for pre-schoolers:
http://delicious.com/nlucchesi/chineseLanguagePreSchool

I'll add to this list whatever schools people mention in these comments.

- nello

Thanks, Asian mom of twins.

by asianmommy on Sat, 04/18/2009 - 14:54

Thanks for the info!

Thanks, Nello!

by asianmommy on Sat, 04/18/2009 - 14:56

Thanks for the link to your list of Chinese schools.

Chinese Mandarin Class and summer camp for kids

by GiGi on Sun, 04/19/2009 - 07:36

My friend sent her daughter to Little Linguists Academy to learn Chinese. The school focuses on kids potentials and full-immersion. Her daughter is happy to learn Chinese little by little.

ChinaKids is the Best!

by Sumei on Tue, 05/12/2009 - 12:04

I have searched for many year for a REAL Chinese language program where my kids will actually progress with the language and nothing tops ChinaKids in Chicago. It only focuses on Chinese and does not take a cookie-cutter approach to one of the most complex languages in the world. Little Linguist is not set up to "ladder" up the student to grade school years and the curriculum is not progressive. ChinaKids uses a proven curriculum developed by Columbia University and UN that ultimately prepares the student for more serious study, but the preschool program is designed for how toddlers learn. I highly recommend you visit the site, Chinakidsusa or call the school 312 226 3888 for a visit if you want the only language school in Chicago dedicated to the study of Mandarin Chinese.

Loves Kindercare Full Mandarin Immersion (All day program)

by Grace on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 09:07

Did you know that there is a full mandarin immersion daycare in Schaumburg/Palatine area? The program is for 3 to 5 yr's old. My dd went to the class when she was three, she is almost four now and can converse in Mandarin. It's awesome. Their info are

North Schaumburg KinderCare

2601 North Quentin Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Ph: 847-397-0799
Fax: 847-397-0904

Center Director: Cathy Veller

Any comments on Dongfang Chinese Education Institute?

by Chinese on Sat, 02/06/2010 - 04:21

I want to find a serious Chinese school that teaches reading and writing to Chinese-spoken kids starting at preschool/kindergarten level near Chicago Downtown.

Has anyone had any experience with Dongfang Chinese Education Institue?

Thanks.