The Wulin Yen Alaska Chinese School

The ACA runs the Wulin Yen Alaska Chinese School, held at Central Middle School (map) every Friday evening during the school year. Our Chinese school is open to the public, and provides a nurturing environment for those who want to learn the Chinese language and culture. Our principal and staff are all volunteers, and tuition fees go toward teaching supplies and transportation costs.

We currently have over 80 students enrolled in 8 classes from Kindergarten to 12th grade, plus an adult class. Each class covers speaking and comprehension, as well as reading and writing in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters. Class runs from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, and there is a one-hour recess afterwards, during which students can socialize with one another or receive additional help with classwork.

The Anchorage Daily News has written an article about the Wulin Yen Alaska Chinese School, exploring the variety of different students who attend Chinese classes. There is also an online video clip to accompany the article.

Student registration for the Fall 2010 semester takes place Friday, 27th August, 2010 at Central Middle School (map). Registration and class assignment will be held 7-8pm. The first class session, as well as a parents' meeting, will be held 8-9pm.

Registration (form) fees for the semester are as follows:

Adult classes in Beginning Chinese or Beginning English will be held if at least 6 students register.

Fall 2010 Folk Dance and Lion Dance classes are scheduled on Saturdays beginning from October 10 through January 30. A total of 12 practice dates are as follows:

The Folk Dance fee is $100 + $20 for the costumes, $120 total. The class starts at 1 pm to 3 pm. (registration form)

The Lion Dance class is free. Practice for Lion Dance will start at 3 pm. (registration form)

If you have questions, feel free to contact us (school@alaskachinese.org).

Teaching Assistants Needed

Chinese School is looking for volunteer TAs to assist teachers in classrooms! The only requirement is that volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Former Chinese School students have selection priority.

Qualified individuals can contact Mrs. Tina Meiser at 243-8886.

Are You an Adult Interested in Learning Mandarin?

Notes from the Principal, 4th December, 2009

Several people have requested information on our Adult Chinese Class. It's difficult to evaluate their level of experience in Chinese from their emails. Let me give you some general information about our classes:

We have 2 levels of Adult classes: Beginners and Advanced. Both classes teach Mandarin using Simplified Chinese characters and Pinying. In the Beginning class we teach pronunciation with Pinying and the basic strokes used in writing Chinese characters. Both classes focus on conversational Mandarin and Chinese Culture. We just finished the first semester of our school year. We will be starting the second semester on Jan. 8, 2010.

You should know that the second semester Chinese Class for Adults is a continuation of that class from the first semester. Generally, unless a student has pretty good basic knowledge of Chinese, it will be very difficult to start mid-stream and doubtful that they would be able to keep up. We suggest beginning students start in the Fall.

If you would like to come to our school and observe the Adult Chinese class in progress, you are welcome. Please come to Central Middle School of Science, 1405 E Street (15th and E St.) on one of our Friday sessions. Our classes run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Our class schedule is posted on this page. Membership in the Alaska Chinese Association is $25. Chinese School Tuition is $120 per semester. Please read the detail information on this page, particularly Fall enrollment dates.

Chinese is a rich but challenging language. We're glad you're interested in learning it. We look forward to meeting you at the Chinese School or at one of our community functions!

Thanks,
Tina Meiser, Principal

The Chinese school observes the ASD calendar (including in-service days, closures due to weather, etc.) unless otherwise stated.

• 2010—2011 Academic Year
• 2009—2010 Academic Year
• 2008—2009 Academic Year