One Subject, Taught Thoroughly
The ACES Youth Chinese Language Program provides direct instruction in Mandarin Chinese — listening, speaking, reading and writing — Monday through Friday, 3:40 – 5:30 PM. PreK through 6th grade, in small groups placed by proficiency level.
- Mandarin ChineseThe single subject we teach
- 3:40 – 5:30 PMMonday – Friday
- PreK – Grade 6Ages served
- CEA-AccreditedLanguage school since 2004
Accreditation
ACES is a language school accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). Our Youth Chinese Language Program falls within the school’s accredited scope and is delivered under the school’s accredited standards for curriculum and instruction, assessment, student services, and faculty qualifications.
Course of Study
One Skill: the Chinese Language
Every minute of the program is direct instruction in Mandarin Chinese. We do not tutor other school subjects and do not offer enrichment, athletic or recreational activities — Chinese is the only skill taught here.
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 performed aloud — the core of our annual recitation contest.
The Class Day
3:40 – 5:30, Monday to Friday
A single continuous Chinese class, divided into instructional blocks. Students arrive at 3:40 and are collected by a parent or authorized adult at 5:30.
3:40
Arrival & Sign-In
Students are signed in by name and settle into their leveled group. Instruction begins in Mandarin.
3:45
Core Chinese Instruction
Listening, speaking, pinyin and new characters, taught from the Ma Liping curriculum at the group’s level.
4:40
Break
A short break within the class period before the second instructional block.
4:50
Reading, Writing & Recitation
Reading aloud, character writing, composition and recitation practice in Chinese.
5:30
Dismissal
Class ends at 5:30. A parent or authorized adult collects the student at dismissal.
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 instructional program: students receive direct instruction in one skill — the Chinese language. The program does not provide services or offerings that are not directly related to Chinese language instruction. Effective September 21, 2026, transportation, homework tutoring, academic enrichment in other subjects, talent and activity classes, and camp programs are no longer part of this program.
ACES is not licensed by the State of Texas. We are not a licensed child-care facility, a day-care center, or a licensed before-school or after-school program, and we do not offer child-care services.
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 while moving between classrooms or entering and leaving the building at arrival and dismissal; and exposure to communicable illness. Please tell the office about any medical condition or allergy before enrolling.
Class ends at 5:30 PM, when a parent or authorized adult must collect the student.
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