One Subject, Taught Thoroughly
The ACES Youth Chinese Language Program is a single-skill Mandarin language and literacy instructional program for students ages 5–13, grades K–5. Instruction runs Monday through Friday, 3:40 – 5:30 p.m.
- Mandarin ChineseThe single skill we teach
- 3:40 – 5:30 p.m.Instruction, Monday – Friday
- Ages 5–13 · K–5Students served
- CEA-AccreditedInstitutional educational accreditation
Accreditation
ACES holds institutional educational accreditation from the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). This is institutional educational accreditation only. It does not constitute, confer or imply a Texas child-care licensing exemption.
Course of Study
One Skill: Mandarin Language & Literacy
Every minute of the instructional period is direct instruction in Mandarin Chinese language and literacy. No other subject is taught and no other service is provided.
Listening & Speaking
Everyday conversation, classroom instructions and structured speaking practice, with class conducted in Mandarin.
Pinyin & Pronunciation
The pinyin system, the four tones, and the drills that make accurate pronunciation automatic.
Characters & Writing
Stroke order, radicals and character formation, building from recognition to confident handwriting.
Reading & Comprehension
Graded readers and classical stories read aloud every day, moving from sentences to full passages.
Composition
Sentence patterns, paragraphs and short compositions in Chinese, matched to each student’s level.
Recitation & Presentation
Classical poems and prose learned by heart and presented aloud — the core of our annual recitation contest.
Daily Hours
Monday to Friday
Instruction runs 3:40 – 5:30 p.m. Students are received from 3:20 p.m. and collected between 5:30 and 5:50 p.m. by a parent or authorized adult.
3:20 – 3:40 p.m.
Arrival & Sign-In
Students are received and signed in by name, and settle into the group matching their Chinese level.
3:40 – 4:40 p.m.
Mandarin Language
Listening, speaking, pinyin and pronunciation, taught from the Ma Liping curriculum at the group’s level.
4:40 – 5:30 p.m.
Chinese Literacy
Character writing, reading aloud, comprehension, composition and recitation practice.
5:30 – 5:50 p.m.
Pickup
Instruction ends at 5:30. A parent or authorized adult collects the student between 5:30 and 5:50 p.m.
Curriculum & Placement
Grouped by Chinese level, not by age
Ma Liping Chinese
We teach from the Ma Liping curriculum, the standard used by Chinese schools across the United States, supplemented by our own materials.
Placed by assessment
New students are assessed in listening, speaking, reading and writing, then placed in the group matching their actual level.
Small groups
Groups are kept small so every student speaks, reads aloud and writes in every class.
Qualified instructors
Classes are taught by experienced Chinese language teachers under the school’s accredited standards for faculty qualifications.
Written syllabus
Each level has a written syllabus, a school calendar and defined learning outcomes for the year.
Twenty years of practice
ACES has taught Chinese to children in Austin since 2004, with two generations of families now through the program.
Online Library
ACES Online Chinese Library
Free to every family. Classic Chinese stories, classical poetry and graded reading material with read-aloud audio, so students keep reading Chinese between classes.
- Journey to the West
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms
- Classic Chinese Myths
- 100 Chinese Fairy Tales
- Selected Fables
- 80 Essential Classical Poems
- Grade 1 Reading Materials
- Read-aloud audio
Program Notice to Parents · 致家长的重要说明
The ACES Youth Chinese Language Program is a single-skill Mandarin language and literacy instructional program for students ages 5–13, grades K–5. It provides direct instruction in one skill — the Chinese language. No other subject is taught and no other service is provided.
Hours. Arrival and sign-in 3:20 – 3:40 p.m.; instruction 3:40 – 5:30 p.m.; pickup 5:30 – 5:50 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Transportation. ACES does not provide transportation. Any transportation arrangements and payments are handled directly between parents and independent providers.
Regulatory status. The program is not licensed or regulated by Texas HHSC Child Care Regulation. HHSC independently determines exemption status.
Accreditation. ACES holds institutional educational accreditation from the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). This is institutional educational accreditation only and does not constitute or confer a Texas child-care licensing exemption.
Physical risks. Instruction takes place in a classroom. As in any group setting, students may face ordinary physical risks, including slips, trips and falls; minor injuries when entering or leaving the building at arrival and pickup; and exposure to communicable illness. Please inform the office of any medical condition or allergy before enrolling.
2026–2027 Youth Chinese Program — Now Enrolling
Places are filled in the order applications arrive.
Enroll OnlineAddress
13581 Pond Springs Rd, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78729