About APLS
Organization Information
Asia Pacific Language School (APLS) is an independent non-profit
organization
that was established in April, 1995, by a group of Asian-American
professionals to serve the Asian as well as the main stream communities on
the Eastside and in the Greater Seattle Area.
Organization Mission
Our goal is to create a consistent learning
environment in which people of all ages can safely explore and learn a
second language. We provide children with opportunities to experience
different cultures and to stimulate curiosity and imagination through
language learning.
It is also our goal to provide multi-cultural/language programs for children
so that they will come to understand better and appreciate their families’
culture as well as other cultures and be prepared to work in a diversified
environment when they become young adults.
We live in an era in which technology is transforming the world into a
global community. Recently, having multi-lingual employees has become more
and more important to companies so they can more easily open new markets in
other countries. As talented, multi-lingual foreigners are hired by U.S.
companies for high-tech projects, it is important for their American
colleagues to understand and be sensitive to cultural differences. This
cultural awareness allows for diverse working conditions that directly
benefit the nation’s economy. Thus, the preparation of students to function
both in English and in another language and culture is of social and
economic benefit to the individual as well as to the nation as a whole. It
is particularly important that such education begin at a young age,
because young children have a unique advantage when it comes to learning
languages and being open to cultural appreciation.
Major
Achievements
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In the past years, Asia Pacific Language School has offered hundreds of
Asian language lessons to more than 500 families on the Eastside and in
the Greater Seattle area. Among the children/adults we have served or
are currently serving, 35% of them are from the families of Microsoft
employees or contractors.
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Asia
Pacific Language School
is listed in the Work Source as a multi-cultural employer for minorities
or English as a Second Language teachers.
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We have provided high school students’ community hours as well as
training sessions in a multi-cultural environment.
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Our headquarters in Bellevue not only provides employment opportunities
to
language educators, but also gives parents a unique place for early
language and culture learning for their children.
Governance
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The Board of Directors serves as the policy-making body. Currently,
there are 5 members on the board: one President, one Vice-President, one
Treasurer, and two directors.
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Our management team is the operating body that handles daily activities,
including recruiting students and teachers, marketing the school’s
programs, communicating with parents, public relations, and more.
Currently, there are two members on this team: a principal and a
certified public accountant.
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Our teachers work with the children and adults and give lessons in
language and culture to these students.
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The parents’ advisory board is the liaison between APLS and the parents.
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The volunteer team is the assistance body that helps APLS in all
aspects.
