Let us engage your kids this summer! Scroll down for available classes starting 7/20. Don’t see a time that works for you, give us a call to see if other days/times are an option
Language Lab is providing online enrichment classes and workshops that will keep your child, from preschool-age through high-schoolers, actively learning. We have sought out experienced and inspiring instructors, to engage your child in a variety of subjects, ranging from creative writing to dance and movement. Private tutoring in most subjects is also available.
Get 20% sibling/friend discount. See FAQs at the bottom of this page for more detailed information on how to sign up.
Middle School Writing
Figurative It Out Writing Workshop - single 60-min class - Mon 7/20 4:00 PM EST FULL
Through direct instruction, guided practice, and games, students will get comfortable using four types of figurative language: simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. After this workshop, students will surf the waves of figurative language, their pencils will dance across the page, and words will whisper through the screen. Students will dust off the treasure of figurative language, open its lid, and play with the pieces inside. Class will use the Zoom platform, Google Classroom and Docs.
Instructor: Robin Oshins
Time: Mon 7/20 @ 4 PM ET
Fee: $60
Age Group: 11-13 (should be comfortable with Google Classroom and Google Docs)
Short Story Writing Boot Camp - 4 weeks, 2X per week begins week of 7/20 FULL
Through engaging mini-lessons, mentor texts, and collaborative exercises, students will uncover their inner storytellers. By the end of this course, each student will have authored a riveting short story that includes all elements of excellent writing. By dissecting the components of a great short story, students will leave this course with honed skill sets, a love of storytelling, and pride in their work.
Each lesson will include guided practice, active discussion, and collaborative games and exercises. We will use multiple texts and books, What a Writer Needs, by Ralph Fletcher, and Pixar short films as mentor material. Independent writing will occur between classes. Weekly “office hours” are available for students to individually conference with Robin about their writing. Classes will use the Zoom platform, Google Classroom and Docs.
Instructor: Robin Oshins
Dates: Tues/Thur 4:00 PM ET
Fee: $495
Age Group: 11-13 (should be comfortable with Google Classroom and Google Docs)
Activate Your Writing Workshop - single 60-min class - Mon 7/20 4:00 PM EST
Activate Your Writing: Students will learn how to write with an active voice. For example: There was a teddy bear on the dresser will easily transform into A teddy bear lounged warily on the dresser. Tense, vivid verbs, and adverbs will be explored in this workshop. Students will leave this session with a useful set of tools to help better their voices as writers. Class will use the Zoom platform, Google Classroom and Docs.
Instructor: Robin Oshins
Time: Mon 7/27 @ 4 PM ET
Fee: $60
Age Group: 9-12 (should be comfortable with Google Classroom and Google Docs)
Robin Oshins has been teaching English and Humanities for eighteen years. She has taught on both coasts in both public and private schools. Robin received her MS Education from Hunter College and her Gifted and Talented Certification from the University of California San Diego. She has presented nationally for both NCTE and NCTS. Currently, she teaches fifth grade and is the Gifted and Talented Coordinator at her school. Robin utilizes a one-to-world technology program in her classroom, and she is proficient with Google Classroom, Zoom, and a variety of other remote learning applications.
Elementary School Reading
Newberry Book Club - 4 weeks, 2X per week begins week of 7/20
Interacting with beloved books in a fun environment is the key to fostering a life-long love of reading. In this class, students will have the opportunity to think, reflect and share while reading the Newberry Award winning, The One and Only Ivan, the film of which is due out this August. Each week will involve shared reading, deep-diving discussions and engaging activities. This course will not only teach students to form opinions but to find and cite evidence directly from the text to support those opinions. Digging deep into the story will reinforce previously learned story elements (characters, setting, problem and solution) and peel away layers to expose character development and point of view. This exploration will increase students’ comprehension and their ability to discuss what they know and how they feel. Weekly “office hours” are available for students to individually conference with Beth should they have any questions.
Instructor: Beth Simon
Time: Mon/Thur 4:30 PM ET
Fee: $495
Age Group: 8-10 (but flexible based on child’s reading level)
Beth Simon has been teaching elementary education for twenty-eight years. Her passion for literacy led her to become a Language Arts teacher in both fourth and sixth grades. Beth likes to create exciting and thought provoking reading and writing experiences for her students and is experienced at differentiating her lessons based on student ability and interest. Beth received her MS in Elementary Education from Long Island University and has worked closely for 25 years with staff developers at Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Beth is proficient with a variety of Google applications including Google Classroom. Google Meet, Zoom and a variety of other remote learning applications.
American Sign Language (ASL)
American Sign Language (ASL) Beginner - 6 weeks, 2X per week begins week of 7/20
This beginner American Sign Language (ASL) course will introduce students to the language used by the Canadian and American deaf community. Students will be taught the basics of ASL: fingerspelling the alphabet, numbers, colors and everyday vocabulary. Towards the later weeks, students will begin to learn ASL sentence structures and how to form sentences. Previous experience with ASL is not required. Students should set aside about 15 minutes worth of homework time or review after each class. Weekly “office hours” are available for students to individually conference with Bella with any ASL questions they might have. Classes will be carried out through Google Meet.
Instructor: Bella Goldberg
Dates: Tues/Thur 4:00 PM ET
Fee: $595
Age Group: 8-10
American Sign Language (ASL) Adv. Beginner - 6 weeks, 2X per week begins week of 7/20
This course builds upon the beginner ASL class, which focused on learning the finger spelling alphabet, numbers 0-100, and basic vocabulary. This advanced beginner ASL course will focus heavily on forming sentences and building upon vocabulary, including seasons, food and clothing. Class is open to students with a general ASL knowledge, or upon completion of our beginner course. Students should set aside about 15 minutes worth of homework time or review after each class. Weekly “office hours” are available for students to individually conference with Bella with any ASL questions they might have. Classes will be carried out through Google Meet.
Instructor: Bella Goldberg
Time: Tues/Thur 5:00 PM ET
Fee: $595
Age Group: 8-10
Bella Goldberg recently graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Human Services/Community Mental health and a minor in Education. She has a wide range of experience teaching others, including teaching young children in Tanzania to speak English and tutoring college age students to sign in American Sign Language. Bella has participated in a multitude of American Sign Language courses and aspires to become an American Sign Language interpreter. In the fall of 2020, Bella will be a Teacher’s Assistant at the New York School for the Deaf where she will be working with grade school students to assist them in their day-to-day academics.
Chess
A Guide To Beginner's Chess - 4 weeks, 2X per week begins week of 7/20
Children in beginner level chess will learn everything from how to move pieces to good sportsmanship. There are no prerequisites for beginner’s chess and assumes that children have no chess background. As much as possible, classes will be tailored to simultaneously maximize children’s chess understanding and enjoyment. Children should expect to receive about fifteen minutes of homework per class. Weekly “office hours” are available for students to individually conference with Sarina with any chess questions they might have. Programs that will be used include ChessKid, Dinosaur Chess, Coach Jay’s Chess Academy, and Lichess. Classes will be carried out through Zoom.
Instructor: Sarina Motwani
Times:
Tues/Thur 4:00 PM ET elementary age
Tues/Thur 5:00 PM ET middle school age
Fee: $495
Age Group: based on level
A Guide to Intermediate Chess - 4 weeks, 2X per week begins week of 7/20
In intermediate chess lessons, children will learn basic openings, tactics, and endgames. Participants must know how to move pieces and understand check and checkmate to join an intermediate group class. Children should expect to receive about fifteen minutes of homework per class. Weekly “office hours” are available for students to individually conference with Sarina with any chess questions they might have. Programs that will be used include ChessKid, Dinosaur chess, Coach Jay’s Chess Academy, and Lichess. Classes will be carried out through Zoom.
Instructor: Sarina Motwani
Times:
Tues/Thur 4:00 PM ET elementary age
Tues/Thur 5:00 PM ET middle school age
Fee: $495
Age Group: based on level
A Guide to Advanced Chess - 4 weeks, 2X per week begins week of 7/20
In advanced chess, your child will add to his/her knowledge of openings, tactics, and endgames. While some of these concepts look advanced, the level of depth each concept is covered in is directly dependent on your child’s confidence level on earlier material. Your child will also gain a greater understanding of chess strategy and enhance his/her calculation abilities. Weekly “office hours” are available for students to individually conference with Sarina with any chess questions they might have. Programs that will be used include ChessKid, Dinosaur chess, Coach Jay’s Chess Academy, and Lichess. Classes will be carried out through Zoom.
Instructor: Sarina Motwani
Times:
Tues/Thur 4:00 PM ET elementary age
Tues/Thur 5:00 PM ET middle school age
Fee: $495
Age Group: based on level
Sarina Motwani, a rising senior at the Spence School, has been playing chess for over 10 years between Singapore and the United States. She was the first chess team captain at Avenues and led the team to many successes. For the past three years, Sarina had taught chess both privately and in group settings, including summers at the Collegiate Chess Camp. One of her private students won fourth place at All-Girl’s Nationals. Having worked alongside Irina Krush, one of the top female grandmasters, Sarina always finds a way to make challenging content interesting and to engage all her students.
Dance and Martial Arts
Creative Movement - 6 weeks, 1X per week begins week of 7/20
Through this class young dancers will learn basic movement skills as well as ballet fundamentals through a variety of activities. They will additionally learn essential discipline skills which will be beneficial in a dance setting as well as for the classroom. By exploring different books and songs, dancers will learn how to transform what they read and hear into movement. Each week will focus on a new skill and topic which will introduce the varieties of form that movement can take in relation to space and music. Above all, young dancers will get the experience of moving their bodies in a fun, free, and sometimes silly setting. Weekly “office hours” are available for students to individually conference with Anna with any dance questions they might have. Classes will use the Zoom platform.
Instructor: Anna Krantz
Time: Wed 4:00 PM ET (45 min session)
Fee: $270
Age Group: 4-5
Anna Krantz is a rising senior at Baruch College Campus High school. She has been dancing for 13 years studying ballet, modern, contemporary, and tap at Peridance Capezio Center in Manhattan. Additionally, she has been a part of the pre-professional training program at Peridance for seven years as well as teaching 3-5 years olds in creative movement and 5-6 year olds in pre-ballet for four years at the studio. Because Anna’s love of dance started in a creative movement class when she was 4, she finds it particularly gratifying to instill that same passion to young dancers.
Tae Kwon Do - 4 weeks, 2X per week begins week of 7/20
Students in this beginner level class will learn the fundamentals of Tae Kwon Do. In addition to self-defense skills, such as punches, kicks and forms, children will improve their balance, hand eye coordination, and flexibility, all while learning valuable life skills that the practice of Tae Kwon Do offers. Martial arts etiquette including; focus, respect, discipline, confidence and communication will benefit each student at home, at school and in social situations. Each class will be structured to be fun and active and focus on interesting new techniques, moves, and forms. Weekly “office hours” are available for students to individually conference with Jack with any Tae Kwon Do questions they might have. Uniforms are not required. Classes will use the Zoom platform.
Instructor: Jack Zimmerman
Time: Tues/Thur 4:00 PM ET
Fee: $360
Age Group: 6-10
Sabum Niem Jack Zimmerman has 12 years of Tae Kwon Do training at Hiawatha’s Martial Arts and Fitness and has worked as an instructor there and has taught young and inexperienced kids during classes and party events. Jack became a Certified First Degree Black Belt in May of 2018. He is attending Vanderbilt University’s engineering program this fall.
FAQs
How many students are in a class?
The number of students per class is set by the instructor, based on the type of class and the amount of student interaction the instructor is looking for. Give us a call and we will let you know 212-918-1567.
What form of payment do you accept?
Classes can be paid for by Zelle, e-check or credit card. We will give you the necessary info during the sign up process.
What is the class cancellation policy?
Classes are non-refundable, but credit towards future classes might be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Are the days and times listed the only options?
Not necessarily. We are happy to work with you and offer classes at other times. Please call us to let us know what times would work best for you - even better if you have a group of kids who want to sign up together.
Do you offer private sessions?
Yes. Private sessions are coordinated with each instructor individually. Contact us for pricing and scheduling options.
Do you offer multiple child discounts?
Yes. A 20% sibling/friend discount is offered for each child you sign up for after the first one. Sign up 3 kids together, the 2nd and 3rd kids each get 20% off their class!
