In my profession, and particularly as a graduate student, I work closely with a lot of native…read moreChinese speakers. Even my advisor is Chinese. At the place I work here in Boston, the majority of my group is native Chinese or Chinese American, including one of my bosses. Thus, I decided that it was about time that I learn how to speak Mandarin, so that I could understand better the language and culture of my fellow students and co-workers, and so that I could help those who have difficulty or are reluctant to speak in English. I looked at the Boston Language Institute, but their high prices suggested I look elsewhere. Thanks to Lauren S.'s review, I found this place, the Chinese Institute of Language and Arts. Their prices are more than reasonable - I paid $220 for 20 hours of class in beginning Mandarin, as well as the workbook and CDs. The owner/manager, Peter, is very friendly and welcoming. Classes are amazingly small - I think the most I saw from any one class was 5, and my average was about 3. This means that you get plenty of individual attention and practice with the language, including drills on character recognition, help with pronunciation of words and tones, and conversation practice. The teachers are typically native Chinese or Chinese American college students or recent graduates, which is more than enough to teach beginning Chinese. They might not have tons of experience teaching, but they all seem to follow a general lesson plan, and they're quite willing to help with problems or questions you have. All in all, I think that going to CILA was a good move on my part, as it helped introduce me to the Chinese language and gave me some tools that I can use in everyday conversations with my fellow classmates and co-workers. While I need more practice (and indeed, practice outside of class helps a lot), I feel I'm sufficiently prepared to take on more studying of the language in attempts to become semi-fluent. I would definitely recommend classes here to anyone interested in learning Chinese.

Since traveling to China three years ago, I've become obsessed with all things China; I will read…read moreany related book or magazine article I can get my hands on. After a lovely breakup and many months spent shunning all my interests, I decided to finally get off my ass in late '08 and pursue two of my longer-lasting loves: learning and languages. I scoured the internet for a class offering Mandarin Chinese and found a couple of schools located in Chinatown that had decent prices compared to the go-to linguistic center in town, the Boston Language Institute, whose prices were more than double these other two places. The Chinese Language Institute offered a course breakdown with joining dates for new classes (limited to 6 people!) along with a prominent guarantee of satisfaction. A 10-week course, two hours a week, cost only $180, compared to the $450+ offered by BLI, so I warily but cheerfully submitted my interest online, promising to show up on the date of the first class, scheduled for 1/12/09. I dutifully showed up at 6pm that night but was informed that class began the next week (even though the website had not updated the schedule). I didn't consider this a big deal, so I came back the next week and enrolled with four other people in Beginning Mandarin. I forgot my checkbook that night, but they were really cool about it, saying I could pay them next week and letting me take the textbook and CDs for the class (these were not included in the online price; it added $30 to the total class fee). A little bit about the space-- it's a small area of a couple classrooms that are in, uh, dilapidated condition. This, I imagine, is probably quite unlike the BLI, which probably has gleaming whiteboards and spanking new desks. However, I cannot praise CIL enough. This is the kind of place where you get as much as you want out of the class-- you're not there to pay to have a teacher clap their hands and hand you a fancy certificate at the end of the class. You're there because you want to be there, and the teachers will give you two hours of their best work each week. The first night I had a different teacher than the one I have now-- she was very good, but the teacher I've had since the second night is amazing. She is firmer than the first girl and throws in so many different teaching activities in two hours that I'm really impressed (I work in textbook publishing so I know a little bit about teaching styles). We sometimes sing songs, work off picture charts, practice conversation with each other... in terms of the environment, it's bare bones essentials, but Wen Laoshi (Teacher Wen) has taught me a hell of a lot in only a few weeks. She sends us emails in Chinese and English with song attachments and is always fetching us tea on breaks. She's smart and makes the class challenging and enjoyable at the same time. In short, I love CIL and I am very glad I signed up for a class. If you want a language class that has an official syllabus and nice classrooms, then this isn't the place for you. But if you want to learn Mandarin or Cantonese in a supportive, engaging environment, then CIL is your best bet. Cheap classes, fantastic instruction-- one of the best things I've found in Boston. Wo hen mang. Zaijian!

The teacher-leaders at Aster (the directors of the school as well as the classroom teachers) are…read morekind, well-trained, talented educators with whom I'm glad to entrust my son. Under their guidance, he has made huge gains in the past year. He is more confident in his thoughts, actions, and his ability to communicate. They encourage curiosity, exploration, and self-motivation, allowing an interest in a wide range of topics. They address his and each individual child's needs and value their different backgrounds. As a former teacher, I see the educational environment at Aster as one in which I'm happy my son participates and one that I feel all children deserve. The support, access, and awareness each child develops will give them an incredible start to accessing their full potential. Some of my favorite things about Aster include: -daily outdoor time at one of the parks or playgrounds nearby. -a beautifully designed space that includes photos of each family, lots of plants, and materials that are accessible and interesting to the children, but never feels cluttered or overwhelming. -the encouragement of strong friendships among children and families (further developed by opportunities to connect outside of school as well as during drop-off and pick-up each day). -a convenient location (we walked to school every day last year). -quick responses to emails, phone calls, and texts (outside of school hours, of course). -diverse teacher perspectives/race. -a strong scientific basis and the use of data and observation to assess needs and guide learning. And finally, I truly believe that not only is my son safe and growing and learning every day, his teachers love him and care about his future happiness and success. I cannot think of anything greater.

My wife and I have been sending our daughter to Aster since she was 3 years old, and we have been…read moreamazed at how well she has been thriving, developmentally, socially, intellectually, and spiritually. She has grown to be more independent, confident and socially active. For someone who is the younger child at home, she now feels pride in helping her younger peers while continuing to have older peers as role models. One of the things that we love most about Aster is the sense of family that permeates through the school. Through weekly parent days at school and monthly parent education evenings, we feel that we get to spend time with our children, build a community with the other Aster families, and learn more about the Montessori method. Through these shared values and this shared time, Aster has come to feel like an extended family for us. This sense of family extends to the community as well -- whether the children are planting a garden in the park across the street or baking cookies for their neighbors or just greeting people on their daily walk to the park, they are becoming contributing members of their surrounding community. We feel great pride as parents to be associated with a school that not only cares for our child but also cares about making a difference in the world around them.

I prepare for TOEFL test by myself more than one year and the score is lingering around 90, that is…read morenot enough to apply for good school. So I joined the half day program in order to get TOEFL score 100+. It has been 10 weeks now. I feel the time and budget spent in the Academy at Harvard Square is worthwhile no matter when I can get the satisfying score. The skills I learned are very helpful for the TOEFL test. Most importantly, the staff in this school are very professional and friendly. I got a lot of encouragement and help.

I strongly believe that with great caring instructors of The Academy at Harvard Square, anyone can…read moreachieve their target TOEFL score quickly. I raised my score from 50 to 93 in 4 weeks!

Im looking to attend BUs Metropolitan College towards my bachelors degree....My question is…read morethis...is the bachelors degree diploma you received the same as someone who attended the day programs? Is it a legit BU bachelors degree or does it have metropolitan college plastered all over it...I just want to make sure Im getting the most for my money and

Wife went. Waste of money. They wrote poems all day for weeks. They didn't review anything. They…read moredon't talk about vowels, consonants, conjugations, it's just used to abuse visas. Joke of a program. Save your money.

I really enjoy learning at FLS Boston. It's good place for study :) i meet a lot of friends. They…read morehave many active to join.

I have a very good experience with Pierre he teaches me how…read moreto drive well and safely Also Pierre is very patient with students Mana is the best

While we tend to think of Paris and New York as the major incubators of creativity, in the past…read moreseveral years Berlin has been driving art and architecture, fashion and music in dynamic and innovative directions. The Goethe Institute is our connection to this scene. Looking at the breadth of their event calendar, from German language classes, to live music performances, film and techno happenings, it's surprising that their programs are not more widely known and publicized. The space offers a library chock full of German publications and a Baroque-style ball room. A nice place to throw a small soiree, though the real draws are the cultural events.

This center is located in a very architectures building and historical, that is very nice …read more The management and admission people are so friendly , they are willing to help you most times through emails which is fine . Teachers are smart, friendly and beautiful they are German so speak Deutsch natively, their English is very good as well. Classes are mane of 10-15 people which is ok Classes should be better soon because the building is going into renovations. Books are pricey like 35 or45 I don't remember exactly Admission is pretty pricey as well 530 $$ for those numbers of hours . The center provides intensive courses only in the summer time not around-the year which is bad , but maybe due to lack of participants. In general it is good place to learn German outside Germany , they try to speak in Deutsch since the first sessions. Thanks

tl;dr - Japanese Language Class Boston is amazing! I already recommend it to my friends and…read morecoworkers. I took Japanese through college; however, I had not had much opportunity to practice or maintain my language abilities in the years since graduation. Here's where Japanese Language Class Boston (JLCB) came in. Sachiko-sensei and Mari-sensei have been incredible resources helping me prepare for JLPT N-4 and prepare my language abilities for working in Japan. Since beginning with JLCB in July 2018, I've taken a variety of intermediate classes (Intermediate Conversation, N-4 Preparatory Class, Genki-2, and more), all have which broadened my vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills. With JLCB's help, I successfully interviewed in Japanese and received a job offer in Japan! I move to Tokyo in August! :) Additional things to consider: the location, Post Office square, has been incredibly convenient. It is in the heart of downtown Boston easily accessible by all four T lines plus a ~5min walk. The students here are very friendly, a mix of levels (in a good way) and all looking to improve their language skills. The teachers are always looking for ways to tailor the course to the students' wants and needs. Whether your starting learn for the first time or looking for that extra push toward fluency, I'm confident that JLCB can help you accomplish your goals.

When I first started my lessons here, I had already passed N4 on the JLPT and was looking for more…read moreopportunities to continue my Japanese language studies. Unfortunately there are not many options in the Downtown Boston area that are easily accessible for working individuals. Luckily I came across Japanese Language Class Boston and decided to give it a try. I am now in my second year here and still plan on taking as many lessons as I can. There is a lot to learn and the instructors here have so much to offer and are very patient. They do want to make sure that you are getting the most out of the lessons and it shows in the way that they plan their curriculum. You will be asked what you want to learn in the lessons. Jump at the chance and let them know. You won't regret it. That said, no matter what skill level you're at or what industrial background you're from, there is bound to be a class here that is right for you. I am learning for personal interest, some are learning for business purposes. Group lessons available on most days of the week so you will be able to make it to one or two of the classes. Private lessons are also available. I definitely recommend starting your Japanese learning experience here!