Local Guides World
Reviews — 8
Great programs with amazing teachers! The classes are well paced and they provide resources to practice outside of class! My teacher (老师) Rachel was super patient and encouraging! She’s great at including cultural information and talking about trends relevant to learning. I recommend them!
Since 2011, I have had many different Chinese teachers both in high school and undergrad, but I have been really impressed with the depth and flexibility of CLA. If you have a solid background in Mandarin but want to improve or learn material not necessarily covered in traditional textbooks, I would highly recommend using them. I have been one-on-one with Barbara Wen twice a week over Zoom for the last month and plan to continue using CLA into the spring.
I started with CLA in March of 2021 through September 2021 and the experience in learning Chinese Mandarin was wonderful. My class was via Zoom. Barbara Wen was my teacher and she was able to hear each student’s tone and correct us. Taught us about beautiful traditions or quick facts about China. This makes a difference in learning, it allows you to get immersed in the language. We had homework which would consist of written or speaking. CLA also created a club via Zoom to get all students and teachers to meet each other and practice speaking. I definitely feel more comfortable to speak with native person.
I took the first section of the beginning/elementary course with Ysabella, and it was an amazing learning experience! The teachers at CLA are wonderful and are incredibly patient and kind during the learning process, while incorporating fun knowledge throughout the course. The beginning course is a great way to build a strong foundation in the Chinese language, and I am looking forward to continuing the learning journey with future classes!
I've been taking the CLA classes for the last few months, right up through their elementary B level. I've learnt a lot in this time. The teachers are amazing, the pace of the class is perfect. The content covered in class and the homework exercises (mandatory and optional!) make you learn but never overwhelm you. The small class size makes it feel like you're taking one on one lessons; so, you learn a lot.
I have been studying Chinese at the Chinese Language Academy for about 8 months now and I plan to continue. The program is well thought out so that you build vocabulary and an understanding of Chinese grammar steadily. I am very happy with how much material we have covered in 8 months! The teachers are extremely professional and knowledgeable but also approachable and friendly. We spend time reading aloud and talking so that we get to practice pronunciation a lot-- which is very key. The setting is intimate so I have gotten to know my classmates and to laugh with them about the inevitable mistakes. The textbook CLA works from is excellent, I think. I really can't recommend this place highly enough.
I attended the CLA16 crash course over the summer and the teacher and school exceeded my expectations! They were very professional but also focused on each student to make sure everyone was learning around the same rate. CLA also offers a lot of extra practice outside of class to improve your reading and writing which helps a lot for new people. Highly recommend!
Excellent! Highly Recommend!
I took the CLA Crash Course - 16 hours of in-person instruction over the course of eight classes (two per week).
The class size was small - just five students, and very enjoyable. Our instructor, Jas, was excellent and I enjoyed coming to each class.
I felt I learned a great deal over a short time period; having taken three other languages in classroom settings, I'd say this is the most effective start to a new language I've ever had.
I also enjoyed the textbook we used, and found it very well organized and perfect for beginners like me.
I plan on taking the next class CLA offers, and potentially class(es) after that one, as well, schedule permitting!
If you're even considering taking this class, definitely do it! It's well worth it.
I took the CLA Crash Course - 16 hours of in-person instruction over the course of eight classes (two per week).
The class size was small - just five students, and very enjoyable. Our instructor, Jas, was excellent and I enjoyed coming to each class.
I felt I learned a great deal over a short time period; having taken three other languages in classroom settings, I'd say this is the most effective start to a new language I've ever had.
I also enjoyed the textbook we used, and found it very well organized and perfect for beginners like me.
I plan on taking the next class CLA offers, and potentially class(es) after that one, as well, schedule permitting!
If you're even considering taking this class, definitely do it! It's well worth it.