Language Stars?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have an experience with Language Stars (http://www.languagestars.com/ls2-welcome.html?utm_source=dullesmoms&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=dc2012affiliate)?

I am considering a class for my 6 and 9 year old. Good or bad experiences/advice?

- Kellar

[Anonymous]

DC was enrolled in LS for the summer. Here's what I found.

Pros:
Smaller classes.
Captures the attention of the kids and keeps them focus.
Immersion.
Great to start out, to get the child "into" the language

Cons:
Not exactly a defined syllabus ( I feel)
Expensive!!

DC is now enrolled in a much much larger program elsewhere. It's way cheaper (5 to 1) but there are obvious trade offs. More students, less attention to individual. I like LS, but for the price, I had to check out the other school too. DC is 4.

[Anonymous]

DS is four, and we've tried Hola Baby, Communikids and Languauge Stars. Even though Language Stars is expensive, we've stuck with them. It helps that they have so many locations because we have 2 that are pretty much the same distance from our house. We’ve had 3 different teachers, and 2 (including the current one) are EXCELLENT! It’s the teachers that have kept me with Language Stars.

[Anonymous]

I haven't tried Language Stars, but we have taken several classes with Lango. I like the materials they offer, they have their own CDs of really catchy music in the target language and they have a curriculum for each session!

[Anonymous]

My 5.5 yr old did summer camp at LS. He hated every minute of it. He started crying when the car parked. Eventually I got from him that he was scared because he didn't understand what anyone was saying to him.
I get that. I felt kind of bad for forcing him to go. It is crazy expensive and we will not be doing it again.

[Anonymous]

WOW! I just visited the website and I cannot believe just how expensive the classes are! That is ludicrous! I think you can get a private language tutor for that amount of money!

[Anonymous]

We took a trial class with Lang. Stars. The kids (ages 3 and 5) enjoyed it, but the tuition was like $3K for both kids and we just couldn't afford it.
I wish the elementary schools would start introducing a foreign lang.

[Anonymous]

LS is great but crazy expensive. I think it costs so much because their teachers have degrees and they are native speakers. My son received a book with info about their curriculum as well as lessons that I can practice with him. He gets a worksheet to do at home (homework) at each class.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I think it's like $50 a lesson for summer. It's expensive also because the teacher student ratio is extremely low. There were times where DC was the only one in class.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has been at Language Stars for a year and a half. We keep adding languages because she loves it so much! Her school language teacher asked us with whom she is speaking Spanish and French as her accent is "excellent" and command of the language advanced. They teach through play immersion so it is fun while being extremely effective. I never have to convince her to go. They may be a little more expensive but you get what you pay for. If you really want your child to learn a language they are the place to go.
Good Luck

Lisa Scafidi

[Anonymous]

13:51 did you like Communikids? we just moved near their Falls Church location and was thinking about trying it.
Sorry to highjack!

[Anonymous]

the kids i nanny for each took classes there this summer. they were cancelled short notice, then the teacher left halfway thru summer, they got a new teacher who only lasted one week and they cancelled the german classes for the rest of summer. when asking about a refund, the parents i work for were told they can have a credit towards fall classes - but who said they were going to *take* fall classes?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the kids i nanny for each took classes there this summer. they were cancelled short notice, then the teacher left halfway thru summer, they got a new teacher who only lasted one week and they cancelled the german classes for the rest of summer. when asking about a refund, the parents i work for were told they can have a credit towards fall classes - but who said they were going to *take* fall classes?!

In Language Stars' defense, the director offered me a credit to the fall and an additional trial class with the new teacher before committing to anything (normally they only offer 1 trial class per student). I said I wasn't sure, and they issued me a refund, no questions asked. I think it was more of the German teacher's fault for leaving unexpectedly and Language Stars wanted to find a good replacement (native speaker, experience teaching, etc.) before hiring just anyone. We are thinking of trying out with the new teacher, but haven't found the time yet.

It is VERY expensive, but you do get for what you pay for (native teachers, small classes, full immersion, all fun and games), and they have a GREAT make-up policy and cancellation policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:51 did you like Communikids? we just moved near their Falls Church location and was thinking about trying it.
Sorry to highjack!

We were there for a short time, and the enrichment language class did not seem to have a regular teacher (rotated between 3 teachers). It may have just been that semester, but we like Language Stars enough not to switch to another program, even if it is cheaper. We actually still do Communikids summer school, and we are happy with that. Communikids is a preschool, so the rooms are set up like classrooms, which is good when the kids are there for hours. Plus, the park is right next door, so the kids get outdoor time. I think the Language Stars summer camp was set up to be mostly outdoors, which makes sense since there is really nothing in their classrooms. For just an hour and a half lesson, the bare rooms seem to be better for my son (nothing to grab his attention and to play with).

[Anonymous]

I HIGHLY recommend LS. I have two kids (one in the 1-3 yr old classes and another in the 3-5 yr old classes). They are now each taking 3 languages there, and they LOVE it!!! They talk about LS constantly and talk in the languages (or sing the LS songs) all the time. I've also checked out a bunch of other programs (including Communikids) and have to say, LS is BY FAR the best. No comparison. Advantages to LS are --

1. Excellent teachers. When we first started, I thought we were just super lucky with the teachers we got. After time, I have realized that they are all fabulous. Not only are they native speakers who have been screened thoroughly, but they have been through a serious training program too. So, every teacher we have had has been WONDERFUL. (The difference between teachers at LS and elsewhere is HUGE.)

2. The curriculum is brilliant. Each week they focus on something different. Every other week, LS posts their new vocab, songs, activities, etc on the LS webpage. I don't speak any of the languages, so I find these postings (and the native speaker recording) invaluable.

3. Immersion. The classes are 100% immersion in the language. Someone above mentioned that their child didn't know what anyone was saying and was overwhelmed. From what I observed with my kids, the first few classes were a little hard. But after just a couple classes, they recognized a lot the language. (They talk about some similar things each class, e.g., at snack time they discuss food, drink, washing hands, etc.). And after just a few more classes, my kids were using the words, phrases, sentences at home!

4. FUN. If you want your kids to learn a language and love it, definitely go to Language Stars.