- Chinese language - Mandarin (conversation and vocabulary building)
- Swimming
- roller blading - I heard from parents about coachs who come by daily to the community to train kids here
- some form of arts, crafts... music class
So far, we've only had one language tutor come once. She is still in college, young and seems very cheerful and can be a good baby-sitter who can also converse with Alex if no so much in teaching expertise. But some how she had cancelled once, got so sick that she fainted on the subway on her way once. And given the college here don't let out for summer break until next week, it's even harder to get her here more than once a week. At least her rates are fairly low at just 30 kuai per our. Of course this is considering she is new at this. I finally decided to see another teacher, a teacher by profession. But everything takes several phone calls... So will see how that goes.
He did manage to start his swimming class last week. This is a 15-session program at 800 kuai, so under $10USD per hour. Then we can add on private sessions as needed which is higher at 120kuai per hour. The coach is very dilligent but tough on the kids. However there is obvious improvement from each session. So my hopes are high that he will be able to master at least free-style when it's time to return to the states.
Then there is the piano lesssons. Now that his grandpa went and bought a piano just this past weekend, I'm definitely obligated to find and hire him a piano teacher. These classes seem to cost much more than just Chinese tutors, starting at 100 Kuai per hour. Alex actually chose this one himself. He actually asked for piano lessons more than one time. Well, not that he doesn't want to learn swimming. He does, but he also complains when the coach demands more than he is willing to give.
And finally today, I have signed him up for the local summer camp session. It right here in Yanlord community so we don't have to trouble with commute outside. This program has a mix of sports activities, mainly designed to give these kids time away from their computer and TV time at home. Taught, conducted by local Chinese coaches, so more mandarin exposure. But the students are probably a good multi-national mix of all the residents in this place. This program covers four-hours a day, from 9am to 3:30pm minus 1 and half hour for lunch and costs 680 Kuai per week.
The local community youth center have many arts and music classes. But there doesn't seem to be any full day program for grade schoolers. So there will be too many trips during the day for drop off and pickup which can be too interruptive for my work. That's right, I am not a stay-at home mom. I have to work, flexible as it may be for me to work pretty much any where I can get online. The full day programs that are available here for learning Chinese are all geared toward foreigners and charges very high premium, easily over $2000 for a 4-week program. Even for those of us who're used to the San Francisco bay area cost of living, I would think twice before signing up for one of those programs.
Overall, I roughly calculate it will cost me around $1300 USD for 7 weeks with the above program and courses which is still considerably less than a 7 week full-time summer camp program in the Bay-area. But of course I would have to add on the air fare cost to make it a true cost calculation on my part. But you can't say the trip was just for him along. The fact we're spending quality time with grandparents here is a huge comfort for them in their old age. Then the fact Yanlord has very nice amenities for kids, with a beach resort like out-door swimming pool, imported coral sand, olympic size in-door pool with heated water, kids play ground, tennis courts, gym... staying here for free with grandparents... it's a no brainer...
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