Registration for 2011 / 2012 Opens at Chinese Language School of Connecticut

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Serven, Chinese Language School of Connecticut
info@chineselanguageschool.org
please visit our web site: www.chineselanguageschool.org

Visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/ChineseLanguageSchoolofConnecticut


Chinese Language School of Connecticut Opens Registration for Fall 2011

-- New Online Learning Program New for 2011 / 2012 Year--


RIVERSIDE, CT June 10, 2011 -- The non-profit Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.chineselanguageschool.org) has announced that registration for its Fall 2011 programs is currently open. The school, which teaches Mandarin Chinese as a second language to students ages 18 months and up, uses an interactive, conversationally-based approach, and welcomes students from all backgrounds and every level, from beginner through advanced.

CLSC’s principal, Daisy Chen Laone, noted, “CLSC offers students a unique opportunity to explore Chinese language and culture through innovative, hands-on, age-appropriate programs. Students do not need to have prior experience in Chinese in order to attend. We offer interactive, engaging, customized programs, which are designed to teach Mandarin Chinese to non-Chinese-speaking students using U.S. teaching methods.”

Ms. Laone continued, “CLSC faculty members are all native speaking teachers who are required to undergo a rigorous training process of a minimum of 75 hours per year, in order to make Chinese language learning fun for younger students, engaging and exciting for elementary school students, and fairly rigorous for older students wishing to take Chinese in high school and beyond. We have designed our curriculum to include benchmarks and measurable objectives which allow all students to become as proficient as possible within set timeframes, while engaging their interest in learning about a culture which is more than 4,000 years old.”

New for 2011 is CLSC’s online Homework Help program, and new AP Chinese classes.

CLSC Prinicpal Daisy Chen Laone explained, “CLSC’s Homework Help program is designed to offer customized, online assistance for students learning Chinese. These online sessions are taught by CLSC-trained, native speaking Chinese instructors, who can assist current CLSC students with assignments they are working on, or can help them practice their pronunciation, and gain confidence with their conversational skills.

"We are also pleased to announce our newly-designed AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam Preparation Course. This prep course is designed to supplement what students are already learning in their AP Chinese class at school. It provides students with the extensive language skills practice and broad cultural exposure they need to help them prepare for the AP Chinese exam. According to the College Board, "The AP Chinese Exam assesses students' interpersonal communication skills, their abilities to present and interpret language in spoken and written forms, and their functional familiarity with Chinese culture."

For more information, or to register, please visit www.chineselanguageschool.org.

Stamford residents Hanna Martino (10 years old) and Gianna Martino (6), when asked why they liked to go to CLSC, and why they think learning Chinese is important, replied,

Hanna: "I like going to CLSC because when I have a question my teacher always explains it and because teachers are very nice,” and "Learning Chinese is important because it is always good to know more than one language because you can communicate with more people."

Gianna: "I like going to CLSC because we go to [art and] culture class and we paint. We also play games in Chinese," and, "Learning Chinese is important because you can translate to people, you can order food, ask questions and know your hotel number and what people are saying."


Expanding programs
According to CLSC’s President, Susan Serven, “We have focused considerable energy and resources on building the quality of our faculty and curriculum during the past nine years since our founding in 2002. The results of this strategy are evidenced by program expansion into various public and private schools, our conducting before and after school programs at more than 20 schools and organizations, the expansion of our private tutoring and small group private classes, our corporate program, and our new online learning programs.

Our school consists of families who have no Chinese background, but who want to allow their children the opportunity to learn Chinese and about Chinese culture; adoptive families, who want to have their children maintain language and cultural ties; Chinese-American families who may not speak Chinese at home, but encourage their children to learn, and many families who do speak some Chinese at home, but who want a more interactive, age-appropriate, engaging learning experience for their children.

“We are currently entering our 10th year, and we look forward to continuing to focus on providing students with a high quality educational product that strives to make learning Mandarin and experiencing Chinese culture fun by incorporating traditional language training techniques with interactive supplements, games and other activity based exercises.”

We’re very pleased that our school now consists of about 35% of families from the Westchester area, as well as 60% from Fairfield County.
Why study Chinese at an early age?

Principal Daisy Chen Laoneg explained, “Our approach is unique because we stress interactive usage over rote memorization. Lessons are organized around themes such as family, food and travel so that children can quickly gain useful communication skills. More than 50% of class time is devoted to conversation and activity-based learning to give children ample opportunity to practice communicating in Chinese. We’ve done considerable research to determine which learning methods and interactive, online support materials work best for American students learning Chinese as a second language, and it seems to be working; many parents say their children love doing their Chinese homework!”

Ms. Laone continued, “Generally, younger children acquire a second language better than older children. Early introduction to Chinese exposes each child to a wider variety of its contexts. These contexts foster language proficiency and help develop insights into the nature of the language. With time, each child will gain a deeper understanding and better command of the Chinese language. He / she will ultimately develop a life long interest of Chinese language and culture.

For information on the Chinese Language School of Connecticut’s weekday and weekend language programs, including their Before and After School programs, special workshops. lectures, events, private tutoring, online learning, and their corporate language program, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org. For interesting articles on Chinese language learning and Chinese culture, please visit http://GreenTeaPop.blogspot.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/ChineseLanguageSchoolofConnecticut


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Chopstix Chinese Story Time at Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT

The Chinese Language School of Connecticut Presents Chopstix Chinese Story Time at Old Greenwich’s Perrot Library
-- School presents activities and stories for three to five year olds --

“Perrot is thrilled to partner with the Chinese Language School of Connecticut in adding Story Time in Mandarin Chinese to our preschool program offerings. Learning a second language not only has a positive effect on a child’s mental development, but also opens the door to other cultures!” Perrot Library Technical Assistant Vicky Livoti”.

Riverside, CT, June 29, 2009 – The Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org), the fully-accredited, non-profit Riverside, CT-based provider of Chinese language programs, is pleased to present Chopstix Chinese Story Time at Old Greenwich’s Perrot Library (www.perrotlibrary.org).

This program is for children ages 3-5 (and their siblings); a parent or caregiver must be present.

Story times are Wednesdays, 1pm, July 8, 15, 22, 29. For more info www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org, or visit http://greenteapop.blogspot.com.

CLSC parent, Greenwich resident Robyn Wasserman said, "I am so pleased that the Perrot Library and the Chinese Language School of Connecticut are able to bring such a culturally enriching program to our community. Our children truly benefit when two wonderful institutions collaborate."


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Musical Mandarin 2.5 hour preschool class

Thanks to our parents of preschoolers for your suggestions on forming an expanded preschool class! We're happy to offer Musical Mandarin, a drop off class for children ages 3-5, which uses activities, songs and music to introduce children to Chinese!

Chinese Language School of Connecticut Introduces Musical Mandarin

-- Non-Profit School offers 2.5 hour Weekday Preschool Class --

“So many of our parents have asked for an expanded preschool class utilizing music, and we’re pleased to help introduce even more children to Chinese through Musical Mandarin,” noted CLSC Board Co-Chair, Greenwich resident Cynthia Chang Scanlan.

Riverside, CT, June 1, 2009 – The Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org), the fully-accredited, non-profit Riverside, CT-based provider of Chinese language programs to students, schools and corporations, is pleased to announce Musical Mandarin, an expanded, 2.5 hour preschool class developed to introduce Chinese to children through activities and music.

CLSC Principal, Daisy Chen Laone, explained, “Young children learn best through music and song. We are extremely fortunate to have some exceptionally talented teachers with wonderful musical ability. With the start this fall of our new Musical Mandarin program, we hope to engage even more preschoolers in learning Chinese.”

“Musical Mandarin is available to children ages three through five, Wednesdays, 9:30-12:00, starting October 14, 2009, at our weekday program offices at the Greenwich Family Y, 50 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT. Registration is open now; early registration rates apply until July 15.

“We are offering our summer preschool Chopstix programs in Greenwich, as well, for any students who can’t wait until the fall to begin learning Chinese!” she continued. “The registration deadline is June 15.”

CLSC parent Robyn Wasserman explained, "Our family’s experience at the Chinese Language School of Connecticut has been wonderful. The teachers are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and highly educated. They have challenged our daughter to learn Mandarin and have made her experience quite enjoyable. We would definitely recommend the Chinese Language School of Connecticut."

For information on any of the Chinese Language School of Connecticut’s programs, including summer, weekend or weekday language programs for children or adults, Before– and After- School programs, special workshops, private tutoring or corporate language programs, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email them at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org.

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Thanks for Another Great Year at the Chinese Language School of Connecticut

Even in all this rain, they tell us summer's nearly here.


Congrats to everyone at the Chinese Language School of Connecticut on another wonderful year.

And for those who may have missed our Year End Celebration on Sunday...

Congratulations to Cameron Yick and Alex Chou, who graduated this year, but will be back to assist our teachers and mentor our younger students. (Pictured: CLSC Principal Daisy Laone, Alex Chou, Cameron Yick, CLSC President Susan Serven)

Thank you to all our teachers and students who put on such a wonderful performance today, we're very proud of you!

Thank you to outgoing Parents Committee Chair (for 2 years!), Amy Yu.

Thank you to outgoing VP Marketing (for 3 years!) Marie Howe.

Thank you to outgoing VP Development, Chinese New Year Chair (for 3 years!) Sue Lue.

Thank you to incoming Parents Committee Chair, Deborah Serianni.

Thank you to incoming Chinese New Year Chair Samantha Connell, and co-Chair, Michelle Fang.


We have some wonderful things planned for next year, including our expanded class for preschoolers, Musical Mandarin.

We are introducing a Pen Pal program with Chinese students this summer...for info please email info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org (you must be a current or past student of the Chinese Language School of Connecticut's weekday, weekend, Before / After School Chinese or private tutoring programs to participate).

And, Daisy and our teachers have been developing our own Level 1 Beginner materials...as well as working with various interactive Chinese learning materials providers to create an engaging Chinese curriculum at all levels!


For info on registration for the school year 2009/2010, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email us at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org.

Chinese Language School of CT's Chopstix Preschool Chinese Celebrates 10th Anniversary!

“It’s very gratifying to see how Chopstix’s growth has introduced so many young children to the fun of learning Mandarin Chinese,” noted CLSC Board member and president, New Canaan resident Susan Serven.

Riverside, CT, June 1, 2009 – The Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org), the fully-accredited, non-profit Riverside, CT-based provider of Chinese language programs to students, schools and corporations, is pleased to announce the tenth anniversary of their Chopstix preschool Mandarin Chinese program.

“It’s wonderful to see so many of our youngest students learning Chinese,” said CLSC president, Susan Serven. “Our principal, Daisy Chen Laone, and teachers, are all so creative and energetic, they make learning so much fun for the children, as well as the parents,” she continued.

Chopstix started as a small, volunteer-run class, organized by Serven in 1999, when her older daughter, Emily, who was adopted from Yunnan Province, China, in 1996, was 3.

Serven explained, “When Emily (now 13) was 2, she started asking me how to say certain words in Mandarin Chinese (‘Mommy, how do you say 'dog' in Chinese? How do you say 'flower' in Chinese?’).

I had to admit that, mainly, I didn't know. I enlisted a friend of mine, Susan Lem, who was able to teach Emily a few things, but since she had moved from Taiwan when she was very young, she didn't remember most of the Chinese she had learned as a child. Soon, even she started commenting that she would like her daughter (also 2, and adopted from Anhwei Province) to learn Chinese.

It occurred to me one day that I could set up a small Chinese program for preschoolers and charge a nominal fee. Emily and her friends could learn a few words, phrases, songs and games in Chinese, and I could donate the proceeds to groups that worked with children in Chinese orphanages.”

(Serven estimates that about $10,000 was donated over 4 years to various non-profit groups such as Families with Children from China, and Half the Sky Foundation.)

“Around the same time I met Dr. Joseph Ho and his wife, Catherine, of Stamford, CT. Catherine was a warm, wonderful Chinese teacher, who graciously volunteered to teach, so Chopstix was born.

We thought we would have five or six children, initially; but our first day 38 showed up! We started out at the New Canaan Library, moved to New Canaan’s First Presbyterian Church and, later, to St. Michael’s Church, also in New Canaan.”

Serven explained that she continued to run Chopstix for her younger daughter, Rebecca (now 9) and her friends, until 2003, when Chopstix was rolled into the newly-formed Chinese Language School of Connecticut. The program has grown each year from its inception; Chopstix now has approximately 80 children enrolled in CLSC’s Sunday and Weekday classes.

Regarding her children’s experience with the Chopstix program, CLSC parent, Stamford resident Samantha Connell, noted, "It has been well-established that early exposure to language can make all the difference in fluency. However, like most 3-year-olds, my son is not very cooperative, doesn't like to sit still, and has a very short attention span.

I was very concerned that we would struggle through his Chinese classes this year. I have been so pleasantly surprised with how much he has learned. Huang Lao Shi (Vivi) has done an absolutely incredible job--coming up with fun and interesting ways to engage the children in their lessons for every class.

It is clear that she spends a significant amount of time preparing for the classes and coming up with playful lessons and manipulatives for the children. Some examples are: using Mr. Potato Head to learn facial features, bringing in a huge bag of stuffed animals to learn animals, using individual number characters written on post-its for the children to put onto a picture of a train, blowing up different color balloons to learn colors (and shooting them off!), and awarding stickers and happy faces for good behavior.

Her patience and enthusiasm really keeps the children focused. My son has had a great year and has learned more Chinese than I expected. Most importantly, he enjoys his Chinese school experience."

From Greenwich parent, Henriette Hoang Rieffel, “Our younger son is in Chopstix II and looks forward to every session because he enjoys playing the games. The teachers do an incredible job in designing the class so that learning is reinforced by games after each short session. Parental presence in the class is excellent for both parent and child, helping parents learn the words in order to assist the children at home and making the younger kids feel more secure.

Over all, we are very impressed with the rich yet low pressure atmosphere in the class. Learning is fun for all of us."

From Greenwich parents, Helen and Daniel Zou, "We started our daughter, Amelie, in Chopstix 3 years ago, when she was 5. We were looking for a fun but meaningful way to introduce her to the Chinese language and culture. Amelie has shown great motivation to attend class at CLSC every week, so we've continued the program with the purpose of deepening not only her linguistic skills, but also her cultural understanding."

From Darien parent, Lin Shaw, The Chopstix teachers make learning Chinese fun for the children by incorporating music, story-telling, arts & crafts."

From Wilton parent, Dana Lupton, “Both Quinn and I have grown tremendously from our experience with the Chinese Language School of Connecticut. It has served as a source of bonding and an outlet for her to stay in touch with her Chinese roots. We began with Chopstix and she is now thriving in Level I. I am profoundly grateful for the experience it has provided both of us.....but most important and notable is the pride she takes in participating. I can’t say enough about the program, its founders and administrators if I tried."

From Bronxville parent, Daisy Wang, "I like the fact that the instructors in the Chopstix program are always well prepared for class. The curriculum is designed in a way that makes the learning process lively and encourages students to focus on the class, which is not an easy task for the toddler age program. Each student participates. I think these qualities explain the increased interest my son is taking in learning Mandarin Chinese in the Choptix program."

For information on Summer or Fall 2009 Chopstix preschool Chinese classes for children ages 18 months to 5 years old, or the Chinese Language School of Connecticut’s summer programs, weekend or weekday language programs for children or adults, Before– and After- School programs, special workshops, private tutoring or corporate language programs, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email them at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org.

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Chopstix Preschool Mandarin Chinese Class

How young is too young to begin learning Chinese?

Do your children ever express interest in learning Chinese, or hearing more about Chinese culture? (maybe after watching "Nihao Kailan"??)

When my older daughter (now 13) was 2, she started asking me how to say certain words in Mandarin Chinese ("Mommy, how do you say 'dog' in Chinese? How do you say 'flower' in Chinese?).

I had to admit that, mainly, I didn't know. I enlisted a friend of mine, Susan Lem, who taught Emily a few things, but since she had moved from Taiwan when she was very young, and because she hadn't paid attention in Chinese school, she didn't remember a lot.

So, even she started saying how her daughter (also 2) should be learning Chinese.

It occured to me one day, that if I set up a small Chinese program for preschoolers, I could charge a small fee, Emily and her friends could learn a few words, and I could donate the proceeds to groups that worked with children in Chinese orphanages (synergy!)

Serendipitiously, I met Dr. Joseph Ho and his wife, Catherine, of Stamford, CT. Catherine graciously volunteered to teach, and Chopstix was born.

For information on Chopstix preschool Chinese classes for children ages 18 months to 5 years old, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email us at info@chineselanguageschool.org