Home
*******************************************************************
: 1/22/2012 is CLSFC Chinese New Year Celebration. School will start at regular time (1:30pm); Celebration and program start at 2:00. Set up and preparation begin at 1:15pm.
Click here for detail.
*******************************************************************
The Chinese Language School of Fairfield
County (CLS-FC) located in Rippowam School in Stamford, Connecticut, is a non-profit organization that was established in 1975. We focus on developing practical skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and typing in Chinese. The curriculum integrates the study of Mandarin with Chinese cultural activities. Our students have many chances to interact with members of the Chinese community and share their learning experiences with their peers in a fun and nurturing environment. Over the years, we have successfully prepared many of our graduates to continue advanced college-level studies in Chinese.
Class Levels - The School offers classes in 11 levels, starting from pre-kindergarten. Based upon demand, we also offer classes to adults in conversational Chinese. New and transfer students will be evaluated by our academic director and placed in the appropriate class level depending on the proficiency and age. We provide each student with two hours of language instruction and the opportunity to participate in a separate one hour cultural activity session each week.
Language Program - At the pre-kindergarten level, our non-adult students learn simple words through nursery rhymes and songs. As each our students progress to higher levels within the School, they will be exposed to instruction designed by our teachers that will allow them to use Chinese in daily activities. At the higher levels, the focus will be modified to prepare the students to take the SAT test in Chinese, including instruction in the use of computer based typing and character entry systems. We have the capacity to offer separate tracks in the "traditional" and "simplified" writing systems of Chinese. We will design customized programs for our adult students based upon the needs and the objectives of each student.
Culture Program - We systematically introduce Chinese culture and history as part of our language program. In addition, we provide cultural classes in Chinese arts & crafts, calligraphy, chess, painting, songs (chorus class), folk-dancing and martial arts. As part of the cultural classes, the School celebrates Chinese holidays and arrange eye-opening field trips to cultural venues and art exhibits.
Faculty - Our teachers are experienced native speakers with university degrees who participate in ongoing teachers’ training program through the School. One of our faculty members was honored as the Best Teacher - 2004 by the East Coast division of the Association of Chinese Schools.
Parent Participation - The School relies on the contribution of the students’ parents and volunteers for its day-to-day operations and to keep its operating expenses (and therefore tuition) low. We believe that our students’ success in learning Chinese is closely linked to the level of parental involvement in the School.