Chinatown ESL

Chinatown ESL is a public service program under the Chinatown Committee of Harvard's undergraduate service organization, the Phillips Brooks House Association. It is an English-as-a-Second-Language program serving the Chinese immigrant population of Greater Boston. The students range from newly immigrated working adults to senior citizens. The curriculum is divided among the most basic to highly proficient into five levels with two tutors teaching a class of five to fifteen students. Classes are held Saturday and Sunday for two hours, from 11AM to 1PM in classrooms on Harvard's campus.

Level 1

The goal of Level 1 is to teach the fundamentals of English. The curriculum begins with instruction of the English alphabet along with rigorous lessons of phonetics. Students begin to learn the simple vocabulary for very practical thematic applications. These themes are present throughout all levels of the curriculum. Level 1 is taught in Mandarin and Cantonese.

Level 2

The goal of Level 2 is to continue to build the confidence of the student in their English abilities. Basic grammar, including sentence construction as well as simple present tenses, is covered, along with practical vocabulary. Listening skills are sharpened with dialogs. Level 2 is taught mostly in Chinese.

Level 3

Level 3 is taught half in Chinese and half in English. The goal of this level is to instruct the past and future tense and continuation of sentence construction. The same practical thematic lessons are presented, but with more complex dialog and vocabulary.

Level 4

Level 4 is taught mostly in English. The goal of level 4 is preparation for level 5, which is taught entirely in English. It is a continuation of level 3 where students become more fluent and familiar with English.

Level 5

Level 5 is taught fully in English. Students practice their formation of ideas and relying them in English. Paragraphs and lengthy texts are read and discussions ensue during class.

Program Directors

2009–Present: Cynthia Cheung, Alan Chiu, Marion Liu, Vidya Viswanathan, Wendy Ying
2008-2009: Hai Xi Li, Janet Li, Gina Moy, Nathan Tu, Wenxin Xu
2006-2008: Erin Baggott, Connie Leung, Janet Li, Linda Li, Xiao Annie Wang, Wenxin Xu
2005: Julia Cai, Shaq Chi, Kristin Lee, Roger Lee, Zhe (Ocean) Li, Rosa Ng, Ada Wan, Xiao Annie Wang, Yue Zhou, Ruo Peng Zhu
2004: Julia Cai, Kevin Gan, Kristin Lee, Zhe (Ocean) Li, Charlie Maule, Dominique Nong, Wendy Pang, Yue Zhou, Ruo Peng Zhu
2003: Julia Cai, Ellen Ching, Margaret Hsieh, Mihuan Li, Dominique Nong, Wendy Pang, Angela Tsang, Julia Twarog, Yanjun Wang, Sherra Wong, Yipeng "Woodie" Zhao
2002: Dennis Hsieh, Margaret Hsieh, Mihuan Li, Elissa Sato, Rebecca Starr, Julia Twarog, Alice Yang, Yipeng "Woodie" Zhao, Amy Zhai
2001: Frances Chen, Dennis Hsieh, Elissa Sato, Alice Yang
1999: Sophia Chiu, Julie Harms, Reggie Harris, Jennifer Liu, Janson Wu

References

• Harvard Chinatown ESL website