Who are the classes for? Classes are designed for children ages 6 months to 5 years old.  Research has shown that children between these ages are most receptive to language acquisition  and more apt to develop native-like pronunciation and life-long fluency as a result of early learning experiences.  A parent or caregiver must accompany the child to every class.  Enrollment in each class is limited to 12 children.  Our classes are open to children of all backgrounds and requires no prior experience with the language.     What are the classes like? Classes are offered in a series of 10-week long, 45-minute structured playgroups where children are introduced to the Chinese language and culture through vocabulary-building songs, stories, movement, conversation and games!  In addition to developing Chinese language skills, children will also work on their motor and social skills as well as their musical, verbal and creative talents.     What is our approach? In class, we discuss age-appropriate topics related to daily life such as colors, numbers, body parts, food, family members and animals so that the children can immediately start to use their newly acquired vocabulary.  Using Hanyu Pinyin (a romanized phonetic system), we emphasize listening and speaking skills.   Why Learn Chinese? Aside from English, Chinese is THE “Must-Know” language of the future.  As the world grows ever more interconnected and the relationship between China and the U.S. becomes more important, those who speak Mandarin-the most commonly spoken language in East Asia and the official language of a nation of 1.4 billion people-will gain a critical advantage.   Please visit our FAQ section for more details about the program.