At first glance, weekend foreign language programs might just seem like extra homework for attendees. But still, students keep attending and volunteering at these classes to sharpen their language skills and reconnect with their cultures.
Socal Tamil Kalvi
In Tamil, “kalvi” means education. A fitting name for Socal Tamil Kalvi, a program where one of the world’s oldest languages continues to grow in young minds every Friday at Venado Middle School.
Outside of its language classes, the school also encourages students to participate in group dances for festivals such as Diwali, Tamil New Year and Pongal, while inviting graduates to volunteer at the school.
“One of the options that you can do as a volunteer is you can actually help teach the class, which I think is really cool because it kind of shows how far you’ve grown with learning the language,” said Prisha Girish, a former student and current volunteer sophomore. “Because you spent so many years actually learning and understanding everything to the point where you’re able to teach other younger kids who could actually grow up and become like you.”
Nishiyamato Academy of California
Japanese supplementary schools, known as “hoshuko,” are a familiar part of Japanese educational culture for families living outside Japan. The hoshuko Nishiyamato Academy of California meets on Saturdays at Portola High School. Nishiyamato hosts cultural activities, such as an annual Sports Day competition, hanging wishes during the Tanabata festival and warding off evil spirits with roasted beans during Setsubun. Students also study social studies, grammar, Japanese literature and kanji, a Japanese writing system using Chinese characters.
With classes offered from K-9 during the Japanese school year, Northwood students like sophomore Toshiya Sugimoto said they appreciate learning about life in Japan and speaking the language outside of home.
“Before … I was annoyed that I had to go to school on Saturday when all my friends could stay at home and sleep,” Sugimoto said. “But ever since I came to Nishiyamato, I’ve realized that when I eventually graduate Japanese school in March of next year, I’m going to use Japanese less and less, so honestly taking a foreign language class has helped me maintain my Japanese.”
Korean Institute of Southern California
The Korean Institute of Southern California’s Irvine Korean School offers classes every Saturday at Jeffrey Trail Middle School. The Los Angeles-based organization expanded to Irvine in 2005, offering classes in Korean language and history from kindergarten up to advanced levels. Food and games help expose students to traditional Korean holidays such as Chuseok, the mid-autumn harvest festival, as well as more modern celebrations like Kimchi Day, where students try making kimchi themselves.
Many native Korean speakers who have moved to the United States also volunteer at the school, including senior Kevin Yu, who aids the kindergarten classes.
“I think for the students it is important for them, because I think many of who does attend the school has a family member who speaks Korean,” Yu said. “For example, their grandparents speak Korean. So teaching them Korean can allow them to communicate.”
Tzu Chi Academy
Tzu Chi Academy, a pre-K-10 Sunday school run by the Taiwanese Buddhist nonprofit Tzu Chi, meets at Irvine High School. The academy emphasizes learning Mandarin while maintaining a humanitarian, compassionate lifestyle, incorporating Buddhist values and Chinese culture, such as festivals and history, in its lessons.
“Going to Tzu Chi Chinese school allowed me to connect with other families of Taiwanese background through Chinese school events and activities,” senior Anson Chen said. “I found [it deepened] my love for my culture and became more involved in Taiwanese heritage because of these connections.”
