NEIGHBORHOOD LANGUAGE ACADEMY
Chinese Language Instructors
Shirley Xiao (Mandarin Chinese Instructor) Shirley is an enthusiastic Mandarin and English teacher, who has experience in teaching both English and Chinese to different ages. After graduating from Southwest University in China, Shirley received her bachelor’s degree in Chinese language and literature and the Teacher Certification, which certified by Chinese Ministry of Education. In the meantime, she received the professional qualification certificate of international Chinese language teachers, certified by tcfl certification awarding committee, international Chinese language teachers association (ICA). Her attended the Mandarin Level Test in China during her college, and achieved the highest level, which is the professional announcer level in China.
After working as an English instructor in Beijing for two years, she obtained her master’s Degree in foreign language education from the University of Pittsburgh. Through her master’s degree program, Shirley has many pedagogy knowledges and methods to assess different proficiency level of language learners, for her as the teacher to create appropriate lesson plans.
Online only
Jennifer Li (Mandarin Chinese Instructor) TESOL Certificate Teacher’s Certificate of China Advanced Speaking English trainer 10 years bilingual teaching experience General Manager of Changzhi Gorgeous Cultural Exchange Co., Ltd
After working as an English instructor in Beijing for two years, she obtained her master’s Degree in foreign language education from the University of Pittsburgh. Through her master’s degree program, Shirley has many pedagogy knowledges and methods to assess different proficiency level of language learners, for her as the teacher to create appropriate lesson plans. .
Becky Huang (Mandarin Chinese Instructor) is a passionate Mandarin teacher, specializes in teaching basic foundational building blocks for non-native speakers to learn Chinese. She has successfully helped hundreds of students pass the HSK test. She also has a love for the Chinese arts and calligraphy.
Harry Li (Mandarin Chinese Instructor) Has earned a two bachelor degrees and a masters degree in Chinese and Linguistics and Asian Languages and cultures from UCLA, and also works at Pasadena City College as a Chinese instructor. Having been raised in both China and the US, Harry is bicultural as well as highly proficient in Mandarin and English, and has successfully prepared students for their AP Chinese exams in the US. Because of his background, he believes that language should be learned together with culture, and will make it a point to contextualize the Chinese characters and vocabulary with his students from the very beginning. He spends time personalizing individual lesson plans to help students reach their goals. Harry is also a graduate of Arcadia High School.
In-person on Fridays
Japanese Language Instructors
Kiyomi Ogawa (Japanese Instructor) Kiyomi is a Japanese-language instructor who has taught for the U.S.-based relocation company Cartus, Club Italia Nagoya, and the refugee support organization Door to Asylum Nagoya. She began teaching private students through online language-learning platforms in 2013. For about two years starting in April 2013, Kiyomi contributed four-panel manga and related language articles to MATCHA, a Web magazine aimed at travelers to Japan. She is currently living in Mississippi with her husband and son. Her published works include the three books in the Practical Japanese series; the Easy and Fun Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji books; and the Yasanichi Manga Japan Guide.
We offer Language Group and Private Lessons.
If you would like to share in the joy of learning Chinese or Japanese with others, our Group Lesson will be your best choice.
CHINESE GROUP CLASSES:
- Beginner Class (Tuesday & Thursdays 9am-10am)
- Upper Beginner Conversational Class Fridays (4:00pm-5:00pm)
- Advanced Conversational Class
JAPANESE GROUP CLASSES:
- Beginner Conversational Class (practice grammar points)
- Advanced Conversational Class (talk about articles & stories)
- Beginner Class (8 years and older)
- Intermediate Class
- JLPT exam preparation
COST:
INDIVIDUAL ADVANCED LIVE LESSONS
Private 55 min single $55
INDIVIDUAL ONLINE SESSIONS
Private 60 min single $45, package: $40 ($160 x 4)
Private 30 min $30
Private 25 min $28
Private 20 min $25
GROUP ONLINE SESSIONS
Semi Private (shared 2-person lesson) 60 min x 1 = $25 per student
Conversational class x 1 = $18 per student
ONLINE LESSONS PACKAGES (cash, Zelle or Venmo only)
Private 60 min x 12 = $420
x 24 = $800
Private 25 min x 10 = $260 (recommended for beginner 6yrs and under)
x 20 = $510
Private 20 min x 10 = $240 (recommended for beginner 3-4yrs old)
x 20 = $470
Group class 60 min x 6 weeks $100 per student, 3 students minimum
The CRAM (*most effective) 6-week class: Semi private lesson (12hrs twice/wk) + convo x (6hrs once/wk) = $450
Semi private 60 min x 12 (twice/wk) $300
Small group 60 min x 12 (once/wk) = $240
Semi private 60 min x 12 + convo x 12 (once/wk) = $380
Note: Jennifer's group and single rates are the same price and only teaches 20, 25, or 30 min at a time.
Sign up For Private Lessons Here