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A.C.E. Corporate Info

Children in over 80 schools thoughout the Puget Sound region receive affordable instruction in many cultures and languages, including: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Spanish. Classes may be either integrated into the school day as part of the school curriculum or as a supplementary extracurricular activity. The Children's Program can also arrange private or small group classes.

Teaching methodology:
The methods we use were first established 25 years ago by Dr. Stephen Krashen, Dr. Tracy D. Terrell and Dr. James Asher. Termed "The Natural Approach" and "Total Physical Response", these methods are supported by language professionals nationwide. As recommended by Krashen, Terrell and Asher, our classes follow the natural pattern of first language acquisition. With plenty of language input from the teacher, focusing on communication instead of language form, speech will emerge naturally, when the student is ready, much as it does with children learning to speak their native language.

The Five Elements:
Our lessons are constructed around five elements: Total Physical Response activities, songs, games, crafts and culture.

1. Total physical response is fun! Children learn new vocabulary through action.
2. Music triggers memory. Songs are an integral part of the language learning process.
3. Games foster excitement and cooperation. A multitude of action-based games reinforce the target vocabulary.
4. Crafts and hands-on activities give children a sense of accomplishment. They are also an opprotunity to teach new vocabulary relating to the acts of sharing, helping, and creating.
5. Traditions, history and customs of another culture are a vital part of language learning. We introduce children to special foods, daily habits, geography and holidays in a manner that is interesting and engaging.
   

Partial List of Clients:
Presently, our program is available throughout the greater Puget Sound area, with more than 65 participating schools in 22 school districts. Listed below is a sampling of our schools, demonstrating our geographical range. Please contact us directly to find out if your school currently hosts A.C.E. Children's Program, or for information on implementing a program at your school.

Broadview Thompson Elementary - Seattle Mill Creek Elementary Mill Creek Carl Sandburg Elementary - Kirkland Mount Vernon Homeschool Group - Mount Vernon Eastgate Elementary
Bellevue Purdy Elementary - Gig Harbor Hollywood Hill Elementary - Woodinville Sacred Heart School - Bellevue Lockwood Elementary - Bothell St. Joseph School - Seattle Louisa May Alcott Elementary - Redmond Sunset Elementary - Issaquah Maplewood Co-op - Edmonds Syre Elementary - Shoreline

Comments from Parents:

"Becky is a very articulate and enthusiastic teacher. She speaks to the children in a respectful, intelligent way, but also with a sense of fun. The games and activities she brings to class are great!" Parent, Lowell Elementary (Seattle).

"We had a great French breakfast on the last day, it was a real treat for students and families. I enjoyed hearing French being spoken by the students." Parent, Broadview Thompson Elementary (Seattle).

"The teacher made learning Spanish fun. For example, she gave them names in Spanish and made them use and refer to this name while in class. Also, to help with name recognition of certain items in Spanish, she set up a grocery store (complete with checkout and cash register) to reinforce what she taught in class". Parent, St. Joseph School (Seattle).

"I have recommended your program to others. I feel it is very important for our children to speak more than one language, so they can be competitive in the world market. Mia has been very kind to my child, helped him "fit in". He is understanding more and remembering more Japanese all the time". Parent, Eastgate Elementary (Bellevue).

"My daughter loved learning Spanish. C. C. was very positive. My daughter talked about what she learned every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon." Parent, Sunny Hills Elementary (Issaquah).

"Marla's gentle, flexible style was helpful for my son -who often needs reminders to be on task or a break -she provides books, maps, etc. for him to use, keeping him within the Spanish atmosphere. Near the end of the course, our family visited friends in Panama. Our 7 year old and 4 year old were proud of themselves knowing some Spanish. The 7 year old bargained for souvenirs!" Parent, Issaquah Valley Elementary (Issaquah).

Can you imagine having your children "visit" different countries instead of going to childcare on an early release day? The goal of World of Culture is to do just that, providing exposure to different cultures through an affordable, one-day, extra-curricular program (usually taking place on an early release day).

Through World of Culture, your child will learn about two or more countries. For each country, we focus on:

One school chose to learn about Zaire, Venezuela, China and Brazil. Students "visiting" Zaire played mancola, made rings from raffia (used to carry loads on heads gracefully) and scratch-art mask drawings, sipped herb tea with hibiscus, and imitated African animals. The Venezuelan teacher came dressed in traditional outfit of the Guajiba Indians of Maracian. She had the children listen to quatro music (a traditional stringed instrument), make coin rubbings, and eat tamarindo. While "visiting" China, the children tasted soy milk and rice crackers, made flags from the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, and colored paper dolls in traditional dress. Moving on to Brazil, they danced the famous Samba and sang a song from Carnival, played "Chicken in a Circle", made colorful carnival masks, and had a typical snack of chocolate milk, hard rolls, cheese and ham.

The above are but a sample of the activities presented during each session. For each country there was also a brief TPR demonstration of language, with each teacher chosing a different topic to teach. For example, in Zaire children learned to count in Swahili, while in Brazil they learned to identify colors in Portuguese. The children also received "passports" which were stamped as they entered each country they visited.

We are available to teach about several different countries and cultures, and would be happy to work with your school to customize a World of Culture Program that best suits your school community's needs.