After attending the Shelter Rock School Monday through Friday and completing his homework, Manhasset resident Mitchell Jung spends his Sundays at the Chinese Culture Association of Long Island (CCALI) and Chinese School located at N.Y.I.T. in Westbury.
The studious third grader loves learning how to read, write and speak Chinese like his parents as well as learn all about the culture through activities.
The school teaches children in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade how to become fluent in Chinese, and to ultimately graduate. Students are broken up into a traditional and bi-lingual program based on their knowledge of the language regardless of their age. They take a test to place them in the correct classes. In class, students work hard together to become proficient in the language.
Mitchell finds the classes and activities fun. Recently he celebrated the Chinese New Year at the school, and he listened to Chinese music and participated in cultural activities. He also competed in the Eastern Region Chinese Speech Competition on Saturday (which is really this Saturday).
“Coming here is a lot of fun. I’ve met a lot of friends. I am learning a lot, and I won a speaking contest in the past,” said Mitchell.
The school is open to Chinese and non-Chinese speaking children. Children attend classes on Sundays from 1:30 to 5 p.m. The main phone number is 516-526-0549. For questions, call Cathleen Huang, the principal, at 516-216-4862 or email Cathleen.hwang@ccali.org. The website is www.ccali.org.
The mailing address is P.O. Box 276 Greenvale, NY 11548. The actual location is NYIT, Old Westbury Campus, Harry Schure Hall, Northern Blvd., Westbury, NY 11548.
