The instruction I received here was spot-on. Couldn't ask for better quality from the teachers…read more They are all native speakers and many, if not all, are or were professors. The classes are small - no more than 9 per class - so instruction is well-tailored for you. The office staff is a joke. They are incompetent and always seem like they are somewhere else. They very obviously hate their job and it shows in the service you get.

The school is a non-profit institution, so every cent here counts. I took all my French courses…read morewith one teacher who wanted to see her students succeed in speaking the language. You should go to a school for the dedication in your education. Look at me thinking I'm a copywriter! The rooms lack proper acoustics, it wasn't unusual to hear the traffic outside or the occasional crazy person screaming aloud. Sometimes you hear the outside world more than your teacher, which I often complained about when we completed our evaluations at the end of every course. The school staff are friendly and always ready to answer questions. Women, take note: classes are held in the evening. A former classmate was mistaken for a prostitute late one night, and she was more offended at the offered rate than the mistaken identity.

I like my time in ALPS. It started to feel like a place to hangout and be at peace. The community…read moreis really nice and it's very easy to make friends. The teachers have interesting backgrounds so they provide insight in many topics from different areas of knowledge. I highly recommend ALPS

Excellent teachers, a friendly environment, great learning resources, and my determination were the…read moreperfect combination for significant improvement in my English skills. I highly recommend ALPS to anyone looking to learn or further enhance their English proficiency. The small class size is the best thing about this school!

I am sharing my perception and feelings after having completed two initial courses at Excel…read moreMandarin, the 4-week Intro class and the 7-week first quarter, on my journey of this four-quarter Fluency series. The Excel Mandarin learning method strikes me as the most advanced teaching format out there. It unconditionally focuses on enabling Mandarin listening and speaking skills for daily life situations. I have tried other formats before, such as group classes and individual tutoring, as well as individual apps, which were all of course helpful but not providing me with a learning progress I had been seeking. This Excel Mandarin method does for me what none of the other approaches I tried could do - it enabled me after these initial three months so far to hold a basic conversation in Mandarin with increasing confidence. It did a shift in my mind and taught me how to learn. A method called 'reverse classroom' is used to make students speak and practice in Mandarin right away all the time, instead of mainly listening to content delivery by a teacher. This way, right from the first class, students learn to overcome this huge mental hurdle, anxiety and hesitation and learn to listen and speak Mandarin, and embedded the words and grammar structures. The class format itself is online in a small, intimate group setting. The classes feel relaxed and engaging, and it is fun and motivating to connect with the teachers and peer learners. It must be clearly stated though - This method requires the regular time commitment to prepare for each class, besides the normal time for work and social life. There are three evening classes per week for the fast pace, and it is essential to use these days in-between to study and complete homework to prepare, so one can feel relaxed when each class begins. Only a prepared mind will be relaxed to take the benefit of the reverse classroom approach. To support this, there is a dedicated tailored Excel Mandarin app to provide weekly vocabulary, grammar teachings and dedicated articles and online office hour, with immediate supporting feedback on homework provided. The app is designed extremely well, connecting content, fellow students and teachers. The engagement of the teachers is so high, with many follow-ups and touchpoints. The method's effectiveness rests on two pillars - the thoughtfully created online learning app framework, as well as the just outstanding teachers who just thrive to see students succeed and coach them with this reverse classroom learning method. The two teachers I work with, Eco and Tim, are just stellar. At the end of the first quarter, students are giving a short, few-minutes basic presentation about one topic of their choice, and then answer questions by their fellow students .... All in Mandarin, with the vocabulary and grammar kit available so far. At the end of the first quarter I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment and confidence. I feel no other Mandarin learning system can even remotely deliver this in an equal time frame. The second quarter, which I just started, has the same feeling of clear and effective support structure, and I get into the groove of good time management for best using this fast-paced and fun method.

I've now taken both Q1, Q2, and Q3 with EM, and I'm very impressed with my progress. In Q1, I…read morelearned a lot of new vocabulary and key sentence structures. In Q2, I learned more complex grammar and vocabulary that's been very practical for discussing everyday life. I learned how to express my opinions more and talk about food, hobbies, and travel, which is not only useful, but also fun to practice. In Q3, I learned how to talk about more complex topics, such as work, emotions, and changes. EM classes are a fairly significant time commitment (class 3x per week + weekly homework), but definitely worth it. Their approach to teaching - focusing on speaking, lots of practice in class, tailored toward what would be most practical for most people - has enabled me to progress faster in learning the language than I would've been able to in other programs. On top of that, my teachers and classmates are funny and enjoyable to spend time with! I'm continuing on to the intermediate conversation class because I'm excited to further improve my speaking fluency and discuss more interesting topics with classmates.

I took French lessons once a week for almost a year with Hadrien. He is an excellent French teacher…read more/ tutor. Unfortunately I had to stop my lessons due to work priorities but when I continue again I will definitely contact Hadrien. Apart from the usual grammar lessons, he taught me phrases that are not in French text books (colloquialisms, slang, cultural references). He is completely bilingual in English and French so he can translate expertly. I was frankly amazed and impressed by his ability to clearly explain the nuances of every word. One of the reasons I selected Hadrien as my teacher was the fact that he is from Paris. His accent is Parisian and I wanted to learn how to pronounce the Parisian way, or at least the way French is pronounced in France. I have had lessons with French speakers from Quebec and parts of Africa and certainly the regional differences in accent are audible. During the time I had tutoring with Hadrien I was also taking a class at the Alliance Française. I found my one-on-one time with Hadrien extremely helpful as I had the opportunity to clarify things I learned in class, or expand upon some grammar rule or another. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced French student, you can definitely benefit from sessions with Hadrien. Bonne chance!

I took French lessons with Hadrien for about two years and could not recommend him more highly…read more He's patient and makes you feel comfortable- you feel like you're having a real conversation rather than practicing a script. He's also quite gifted at explaning grammatical nuances- there are many times where I've found a concept totally clear thanks to Hadrien, and then will stubble across a confusing explanation somewhere else and realize in fact, it's not something simple to explain. As other reviewers have mentioned, you also learn a natural style of speech in his classes that is hard to find elsewhere, but will make it much much easier to follow conversations, media, and jokes.

What a wonderful language school. I'm taking my second class this winter…read more This place is so cute! (And many of my classmates work for a living and fit the class into their lunch breaks, just fine!) The buddy system is also great. This is not an easy class, but it has really improved my confidence in speaking, helping me be less self conscious. I have a degree in teaching and Amanda's style works well for me as a kinesthetic learner -- lots of whole body motions, songs, and exaggerated expressions to help the language "stick". The online resources are also very helpful -- to match a variety of learning styles. This class is a very good value and pace. It is a commitment, but learning a language requires daily practice. I've had a lot of fun and can see my progress week to week. I've also enjoyed getting to know my classmates. I wear a mask in class, but not everyone does. There are online options for some levels, too.

I found these classes useful for refreshing and expanding my little knowledge from a long time ago…read more The generally unstructured conversation in class and between classes with our assigned buddies was very helpful compared to learning, say, conjugations by rote. Like any class, the more you put in the more you get out. I needed more practice with verb tenses than was officially allotted, even with the homework, but various online resources were suggested for that. All-in-all, a pleasant way to learn.

I studied French many (many) years ago and was interested in studying it again both because it is…read morerelevant to my work and for fun. I struggled to find a class that suited my particular abilities - definitely not a beginner, but not ready for more advanced class either. Et voila! L'École Française! Catherine designs classes that specifically address my understanding of French. We bust through grammar that just needs refreshing and sometimes we pause an entire lesson to dig deep into grammar that I clearly never learned. Our classes are a mix of conversation and grammar - so I'm not only learning rules and vocabulary, but truly practicing communicating. I enjoy these classes, and Catherine!, tremendously. I have learned (and will continue to learn) so much!

I am conversational in French, not fluent and was looking to refresh some of the grammar that was…read morestarting to fade. Catherine is a wonderful teacher, very patient with a wonderful sense of humor. The lessons were challanging, but not daunting and targeted to my particular needs. I would highly recomment l'Ecole Française.

My two children have attended this after school program for years. The owners have bent over…read morebackwards countless times to make life easier for us parents, starting from the very beginning when my oldest kid's after school program closed suddenly in the middle of the school year. On short notice, Paola and her team found an opening in her program for my kid (and his friends!) The bilingual environment, the cultural programming, and the capable staff have offered a fantastic environment in which my children have thrived. This program has felt like family for many years. I'm grateful for JOL!

My son has been going to the afterschool program for two years, and he loves it. He consistently…read moreasks to be the last one to be picked up, which is a great sign for parents. The programming and curriculum is top notch. It's more than just babysitting. They definitely work with the kids to develop emotionally, physically, and academically. I'm very happy with JOL and would recommend them to anyone in the area!

My wife and I have taken multiple ASL classes with Visually Speaking, and they've all been amazing!…read moreThe teachers are very knowledgeable and friendly, and the classes are a fun place to learn. While youtube does provide some great resources for learning ASL, having a live instructor (online or in-person) makes a huge difference. You quickly start to feel more comfortable signing, and it's wonderful to meet other students that are learning too. Don't be afraid to jump in hands first!

I recently had several hours of one-on-one ASL lessons with Kellie G (the owner) in Bellevue…read more Kellie is extremely friendly and helpful, which made the classes all the more enjoyable. It's clear that she truly wants the student(s) to get the absolute most out of her classes as she invests a lot of herself to help them reach their goals. During one of our lessons, one of her teachers (Loki) joined us. Loki is also very down-to-earth and fun to be around. He spent over an hour with us, which gave me the advantage of having two teachers at once! I would highly recommend Kellie or any of her teachers to take your ASL / sign language skills to the next level!

I have started learning Mandarin Chinese with New Concept Education 3.5 years ago, and I still…read moreenjoy it! It was surprising how quickly you can go from not understanding anything at all to being able to exchange WeChat messages in Chinese. It's like magic! My teacher Vicky Chen is an amazing educator who herself keeps learning and trying new things in order to find the best way for her students to stay engaged and learn better. I take 1:1 lessons, and they are totally worth it because I get to practice a lot. Happy with how my Chinese was going, about 2 years I also started learning Japanese with New Concept Education. I eventually signed up for 1:1 lessons with Yukiko Tsukada, and last December successfully passed the JLPT N4 exam. Again, magic! Whether you want to learn Mandarin or Japanese for business reasons or because you need to prepare for an exam or simply for fun, New Concept Education will make sure you accomplish your goal and enjoy the process! I highly recommend it!

Learning Chinese language here has been a great experience. The platform is very useful and easy to…read moreuse. We learn with real-life situation videos that we break down and study. The built in flashcards and grammar videos are very helpful for practicing. My teacher is super easy to talk to, ask questions, flexible, and accommodating to students needs. It makes me look forward to my next class every week!

We love this preschool, all three of our kids have had a wonderful experience here. My oldest son…read morewent here in 2012 when it was at a different location and Caroline was his teacher, when my second was ready for school in 2015, I put him in this bilingual preschool as well. Now my youngest daughter is attending this preschool, she is enrolled in the Chinese and English and her Chinese has significantly improved. We don't speak Chinese at home and because the school has sparked a curiosity in her, she requests Chinese words throughout the day and asks, "how do you say this in Chinese?" We were at a preschool before whose values did not align with our early learning philosophy. That school had wanted to teach every child exactly the same and ignore the needs of the child's developmental stage. We wanted a preschool that deepened our child's love for learning while treating them each as individuals and Language Garden does both. We feel so blessed to have found them. It's been over a year for my daughter and the teachers in both Chinese and English classrooms have been the same which helps build that stability a child needs to thrive. I highly recommend them!

TL;DR: We found the owners extremely inflexible, unreceptive to parent feedback, and rigid about…read more"school policy," even when those policies weren't clearly communicated. The school made a great impression during our tour, and our son's homeroom teacher, Ms. Chloe, was wonderful. Unfortunately, our experience with the owners/administration was terrible. I originally considered giving one star, but reconsidered solely because of Ms. Chloe. (More below) During our tour with the owner, Catherine, I was genuinely impressed. She knew the children by name and remembered details about their development, and I loved that she had 35+ years of childcare experience. We were also excited that the toddler teacher, Ms. Chloe had Montessori training and experience, and that the school is dual language Mandarin & English. During the tour, we saw teachers preparing what appeared to be homemade seaweed soup and other homemade food, and we were specifically told that if we sent food from home, it would be heated before serving to our child. Unfortunately, after enrolling, our son barely ate his school lunches, and the leftovers coming home provided by the school were frequently things like hot dogs and hamburgers, chicken nuggets. We started sending homemade meals instead that he would usually eat, such as stir fry and dumplings but unfortunately he continued to not eat much of his lunch. Six months later, we learned the school actually had a policy against reheating food from home. Our son started in December, and we didn't learn this until June by a new teacher. I wonder when we would have found out otherwise. This policy wasn't in the parent handbook we received and contradicted what we were told during our tour. For months, we were sending food expecting it to be warmed without realizing our son was being offered it cold. No wonder why he wasn't eating. For something as basic and important as whether our child was eating during the day, this was incredibly appalling. We also found the school extremely inflexible with scheduling. We paid for three days per week, but couldn't switch days or make up days missed due to illness or other situations. For example, if our schedule was M/W/F and we needed M/W/Th one week, Thursday required an additional payment even if our son didn't attend Friday. I understand that daycares need predictable staffing and policies, but there seemed to be very little flexibility. If we are paying for 3 days and they are saving the spot for my son, why does it matter which 3 days of the week? Another frustration was the administration's response to parent feedback. The school uses Brightwheel for communication, billing, and daily updates, but photos are uploaded separately to Flickr. Photos from the entire school are posted together, usually a day or two later, meaning I had to scroll through hundreds of photos just to find a few of my son. I repeatedly asked if photos could at least be organized by classroom so parents could easily see their own child's class. The request was repeatedly rejected because of "school policy." I also wasn't comfortable with every other parent or grandparent of the school having access to photos of my child. Eventually, I stopped checking Flickr because I simply didn't have time to scroll through 400+ photos. The best part of our experience was Ms. Chloe. She genuinely cared about our son, shared stories about his day, and made us feel like she really knew him. We also saw significant improvement in both his English and Chinese vocabulary during his time at Language Garden. Most importantly, he felt safe and comfortable with her. During the months when drop-off was difficult, we always felt relieved when Ms. Chloe was there to receive him. There are caring teachers here, and the school made an excellent first impression. Unfortunately, the gap between what we expected from our tour and what we experienced--particularly around food, scheduling, communication, and the administration's receptiveness to parent feedback--ultimately left us very disappointed. PS: my son's new daycare posts photos of him DAILY in brightwheel itself. Clearly it's possible. AND we still drop him 3 days a week, and they don't require a set schedule. We just drop him any 3 days and they are fine. That's what we should be paying for! I have done many daycare tours at this point, and am happy to share my experience with various daycares in the Eastside that may be a better fit, if anyone parents would like to reach out. Best of luck!