How Kids Works

What are the class objectives? 

• To introduce a student to a second language 

• To promote a student’s awareness and appreciation of another culture 

• To help a student discover cultural similarities and differences 

• To enhance a student’s understanding of his or her native language 

• To motivate a student to continue the study of a foreign language

 

How do you teach languages? 

Instructors teach through drama, art, games, everyday situations, and choral repetition. We use music, songs and poems to help children remember the language.

 

What languages do you teach? 

Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, ASL (American Sign Language) and other languages are taught upon request.

 

Who decides which languages to offer and which days and times classes are held? 

School principals and parent groups usually determine which languages will be taught. The day and time classes are held is based on the availability of classrooms at your child’s school.

 

Who teaches the languages? 

Most Kids Like Languages instructors are native to the language and culture they teach. Some are formally trained educators. All receive Kids Like Languages training. Our instructors bring these abilities, skills, and knowledge to the classroom: 

• Vitality and enthusiasm when working with students. 

• Firm and fair classroom management skills. 

• Fluency of the target language, and cultural knowledge of the country of the language being studied.

Kids Like Languages instructors pass a background check administered by the Oregon Department of Education, Transportation Section. This is the same background check performed on school bus drivers, food preparers, parent volunteers and other school staff.

 

How many times will the class meet? 

Usually 20 weekly classes are offered, starting in the Fall, and ending in the Spring. If classes are held twice a week, students will attend 40 classes per school year. Some classes begin in the Fall or Winter with 10 weekly sessions.

 

Where are the language classes held? 

Most classes are held at schools. We also hold classes in homes, recreation centers and churches.

 

How are classes formed? 

• Pre-school, elementary and middle school classes are available. Classes are formed with students in compatible age and language experience groups. Most classes are held at schools and meet once a week.

• Our minimum class size is 10 students; our maximum is20

• A typical Kids Like Languages class includes 20 weekly sessions starting in the Fall and ending in the Spring. Sessions last approximately 50 minutes. Some classes begin in the Fall or Winter with 10 weekly sessions.

• Kindergartners can only enroll in classes after the Winter break when students have adjusted to a full school day. A class of kindergartners or a combination kindergarten-first grade class may be offered starting in January. We do not mix kindergartners in classes with second or third graders.

 

What is the class size? 

Our minimum class size is 10 students; our maximum is 20. Classes are formed with students in compatible age and language experience groups.

 

What if a student is disruptive? 

Excessive misconduct is not tolerated. Kids Like Languages has a three-step process to handle a classroom behavior problem. 

Step 1: If a student is disruptive in the classroom, the disruption will be discussed with the child and their parent. 

Step 2: If misconduct continues, the instructor or the Program Director will have a second conversation with the parent. 

Step 3: If disruptive behavior continues, the student will be dropped from the class, the school will be notified, and tuition will not be reimbursed.

 

What if a regularly-scheduled class cannot meet? 

During the school year a class may not be able to meet because of conferences, staff work days, weather, holidays or the teacher is sick. Class make-ups are held in the spring and continue until all classes have been made up.

 

Your Student Learning

How much can my child learn from weekly foreign language classes? 

Learning to speak a foreign language fluently requires four to six years of study and should, therefore, be started in the elementary grades.

Your child will receive an introduction to speaking in a second language during 20 weekly classes. We teach basic day-to-day phrases and sentences, such as

Hello, how are you

My name is Josh

What is your name?

Do you like baseball?"

Students learn colors, numbers, clothing, and general vocabulary for home and school.

Students will make greater strides by using their newly-acquired language skills at home. Ask you child to teach you what they learned in class.

 

What are the benefits of learning a second language?

Studying a foreign language increases: 

• Knowledge of our own language 

• Familiarity with world geography 

• Social and economic benefits resulting in broader attitudes, new opportunities and cultural enrichment.

 

How can I help my student make the most of this class? 

Involved parents make a difference in keeping motivation high and increasing retention. 

• Ask them to teach you what they learned in class. 

• Have them teach you the vocabulary of the day. 

• Help with homework when assigned. 

• Get language audiotapes and books at the library. 

• Practice simple vocabulary. 

• During dinner, review one new word. 

• Get a Picture Dictionary and focus on one subject at a time. 

• Music is a great way to learn; practice songs, buy music CDs, etc. 

• Keep your eyes open for cultural or news information involving the language.

 

May I observe my student’s class? 

Yes, but please wait until the third or fourth class so the group is somewhat established.

 

Enrolling

How do I enroll? 

Here is the enrollment process: 

• Kids Like Languages arranges with a school to offer a before- or after-school class. 

• We provide a class schedule and enrollment flyer that is sent home with students in the First Day Packet—where schools allow, or with the principal’s newsletter, or in the parent information packet. Or you may find the class schedule on the school web site and print an enrollment form from our web site. 

• In Beaverton schools, after-school class providers including Kids Like Languages are limited to having enrollment flyers on a community table or display at each school; please look for the Kids Like Languages flyer. 

• Parents can enroll two ways:

• Online Enrollment — Enter your information in the Online Enrollment page on this website and click the Submit button.

• On Paper Enrollment — Print the form, complete and mail.

• Kids Like Languages mails, emails or phones an enrollment confirmation to the student before the class begins.

 

Fees

What does a class cost? 

• Classes with 25 Sessions  Enrollment for classes with the typical 25 sessions is $325 per student when the class has 10 or more students. If a 25-session class has fewer than 10 students, the enrollment fee per student will be greater depending upon the number of students. 

• Classes with 20 Sessions  If the class has 20 sessions, the cost is $280 when the class has 10 or more students. If a 20-session class has fewer than 10 students, the enrollment fee per student will be greater depending upon the number of students.

• Classes with 15 Sessions  If the class has 15 sessions, the cost is $225 when the class has 10 or more students. If a 15-session class has fewer than 10 students, the enrollment fee per student will be greater depending upon the number of students.

• Classes with 10 Sessions If the class has 10 sessions, the cost is $160 when the class has 10 or more students. If a 10-session class has fewer than 10 students, the enrollment fee per student will be greater depending upon the number of students. 

• Classes of fewer than five students are considered a Tutoring Group. Per student fees for individual tutoring groups will be determined on a case by case basis.

 

What is your refund policy? 

Full refunds are made after the first class. Pro-rated refunds are made up to the third class. No refunds are made after the third class.

Other Topics

Do you also offer tutoring? 

Yes. Individual and group tutoring is available through Kids Like Languages. Tutoring can assist with middle school or high school language study. Tutoring is an option if your student is beyond the level of the class being offered. This may be the case if they have studied the language, lived overseas or attended an immersion school.

 

Do you offer transportation? 

No. Parents are responsible for transportation. For the safety of your student, we ask that parents drop off and pick up their students within five minutes of class time.

 

Is Kids Like Languages insured? 

Yes. To satisfy school district requirements, Kids Like Languages carries a $1,000,000 general liability insurance policy, a $1,000,000 abuse insurance policy, and signs a building use contract with the district.