How Do I Find an Asian Language School?
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
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
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
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
Sorry, I just found out that Mao Bi isn't doing the summer program this year.
no summer program
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
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
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!
Thanks for the recommendation, Parent. ChinaKids summer camp sounds great.
Summer pgms
Thanks for the leads on Ray School, Xilin, and ChinaKids! I'll definitely check these out.
Chinese for 3 Year-Old
I'm looking for Chinese language and culture programs close to Glencoe, IL (northeast corner of Cook county).
- nello
Chinese programs near Glencoe, IL
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
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
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
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
Could you let me know address and phone#? Tks
Xilin Northwest Chinese School contact info
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
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
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
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)
That should be:
www.learnwithgrace.com/programs/index.php
(No space at the end.)
Mandrin for adults
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,
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
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
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.
Thanks for the info!
Thanks, Nello!
Thanks for the link to your list of Chinese schools.
Chinese Mandarin Class and summer camp for kids
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!
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)
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?
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.
I live in San Antonio TX... any ideas
I have a three and five year old daughters, does any one have any summer Mandarin immersion program to recommend in Texas?
Thanks!
CNSCS in the NW suburbs chicago -Palintine
You may check this school to see if it is near you.
http://www.cnscs.org/webpages/index.htm
Chinese Summer classes
Hi - does anyone know of any good Chinese summer classes in the northwest suburbs or any semi-private Chinese classes? Little Linguists is willing to do a class if we can find 4 people - anyone interested in the NW suburbs? Thanks!
You can always do summer camp at
Kindercare. The teacher to children ratio is about 6 to 1. It is awesome!! You can sign up for part time care. There are no classes better than full immersion.
Great Chinese School in Chicago and NW suburb
Elite Chinese School is great place to learn Chinese language. The school offers basic Chinese class for non-Chinese background young students and Adult. also provides Gifted Chinese, English, Math for about 10 different levels. The fun sports, art, music and dance class are free. website: http://www.elitechinese.org
Has anyone heard of any
Has anyone heard of any school districts that will be starting a Mandarin immersion K-8 elementary program? Or, for that matter, has anyone heard of any parents who will be starting a Mandarin immersion K-8 charter school? The kind of school I am looking for is a Monday through Friday, full-time program, NOT an after-school or weekend enrichment program.
Thank you
immersion day care in Chicago
Hi, we're moving our family to Chicago in a few months, and I found this chain while looking for an Mandarin immersion day care for our daughter. I see there is one out in the suburbs but was wondering if there is one within the city (since we will have only one car) and will likely use public transportation.
Mandarin immersion K-5 and then Chinese classes
Dist 220- Barrington just started this program. It's called Bridge to Chinese. You can find more information here. http://www.barrington220.org/21141021612356860/site/default.asp
They received a special grant to the program!
Mandarin Chinese Immersion Chicago
My family is moving from Minneapolis to Chicago this summer 2011. My son has finished kindergarten in a full chinese immersion school, which is part of the public school option in certain districts in Minneapolis area. ** Note-- our school is Excelsior elementary, which is part of the Minnetonka school district. They offer full mandarin chinese as well as spanish immersion options, for k-5 grades, and were highly impressed with this program and school. The children followed the regular school curriculum, it was just taught solely in mandarin chinese by native chinese teachers. ( FYI- Minneapolis/St.Paul have numerous full language immersion schools- both as part of public school system and private). We are moving to Chicago area for job changes and would like to continue the full chinese immersion school if possible. Any of these types of programs available in Chicago area? Thanks! Also-- any recommendations on family friendly neighborhood/suburb with access to train etc downtown. Prefer low crime, yards, overall high quality living. Appreciate the help Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I'm sorry--I wish we had full Chinese immersion in our public schools, but I'm not aware of any such programs. People generally like the Western suburbs. Here's a link to a forum with some suggestions: http://www.city-data.com/forum/chicago-suburbs/152994-western-suburbs.html
Chicago suburbs - Mandarin Immersion
Hi - Barrington, IL will be starting the Mandarin Immersion this fall for K and 1st graders but it may be too late to get in now.
Thanks, Jen!
Here's a link to Barrington's program: http://www.barrington220.org/21141021612356860/site/default.asp
and an article about it: http://triblocal.com/barrington/2010/12/08/d220-approves-chinese-classes/
My child will be in the full
My child will be in the full Chinese immersion in sep in barrington. The program is full now. I suppose if you were transferring into first grade, they may try to accommodate you. The current school that will host the Chinese immersion is Barbara rose elementary.
Thanks for the info, Grace!
Thanks for the info, Grace!
Lake Forest Mandarin Immersion Program
Don't know anything more than what's in this article:
http://triblocal.com/lake-forest/community/stories/2011/05/cherokee-scho...
Hi, Nello!
Thanks for the info.
Just wondering if anybody had
Just wondering if anybody had any thoughts & opinions about Xilin, Tzu Chi, or the Language Stars programs in the Hinsdale & Naperville areas. I am specifically looking for a Mandarin Chinese program that works with preschool age 4 kids. I wondered if there were any reviews about the programs & the teachers. Thanks!
Hi Jenni,
We have friends who speak Mandarin and go to the Tzu Chi program, and they are very happy with it. They like the teachers there, and the school was very helpful in getting their kids up-to-speed. I believe though that the handouts for the parents are all written in Chinese, if that's an issue. They do also have a program for kids who don't speak Mandarin at home.
We did the Language Stars program years ago. It was cute, and very geared towards families who don't already speak Mandarin at home. It's an immersion program where they sing, play games, and have a snack.
Thanks for the information!
Thanks for the information! I'll be looking into both schools.
Seeking Mandarin class in the North or Northwest suburbs
Hi, My 12-year old daughter has expressed interest in learning to speak Mandarin (not read or write). Is there a beginner language class that you recommend that is for students from non-Chinese speaking homes? We live in Mount Prospect, so we are open to a North or NW suburban site. Having the class be fun and interactive and practical (vs. focus on academic rigor of reading and writing ) would be an advantage also. Thank you!
Hi Barb,
Sorry, but I'm not aware of any programs in the area that offer beginning Chinese at that age level. You can try calling some of the programs listed above to see what they have to offer.
Mandarin instruction in NW Indiana?
Would love to get my kids in a Mandarin language program - husband is Chinese, I am not and minimal Mandarin is spoken at home. Problem is I can only find schools/classes in the North and West Chicago suburbs, and we live in Dyer, IN. Does anyone know of any places in NW Indiana or the south Chicago suburbs?
Post new comment