ABOUT AU CO’S VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
The Weekend Vietnamese Program teaches Vietnamese language and cultural traditions.
Target Audience
Our Weekend Vietnamese Program serves children and youth from 4 to 17.
Level Classifications
Classes are held on Saturdays, approximately 3.5 hours each. Programs for each grade level meet about 40 times per year. We observe 2 semesters and normally follow the schedule of the San Francisco Public Schools System.
Our programs teach the Vietnamese language at two levels: Basic and Intermediate, and Kindergarten for 4 to 5 year-olds only.
Basic Level: learn how to read Vietnamese using the “spelling” method; learn to speak in Vietnamese.
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To attain Basic Level, a student must successfully complete Grade Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4.
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Intermediate Level: improved reading comprehension, speaking, and writing skills.
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To attain Intermediate Level, a student must successfully complete Grade Levels 5, 6 and 7.
Kindergarten Level: for 4 to 5 year-olds only.
Goals of the Class Levels
Basic:
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Learn to read Vietnamese and be familiar with five accent marks
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Learn to speak Vietnamese fluently
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Learn traditional characters and good behaviors of the Vietnamese
Intermediate:
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Improved reading comprehension at an Intermediate Level
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Begin to learn essay writing
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Learn traditional characters, morality and traditional values, and heritage of the Vietnamese
Kindergarten:
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Familiarity with the Vietnamese alphabet and five accent marks
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Learn to speak simple and everyday practical Vietnamese statements
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Learn traditional good behavior for kids
Teaching Materials
Textbooks and teaching materials are written in Vietnamese by grade level, to attain the goals of that grade level. Textbooks for Grade Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 are intended for beginners, aged from 6 to 9. These materials may be used to teach beginners—who are older than 10—but they may learn at a faster pace. Textbooks and teaching materials for Basic Level (Grade Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4) and Kindergarten are written using pictures to illustrate a word and to use learned syllables. Textbooks and teaching materials for Intermediate Level (Grade Levels 5, 6 and 7) are written with the purpose of improving reading comprehension and basic essay writing. Please read “How to Use Textbook” section for more information.
Contents of textbooks for grade levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Basic Levels):
● Read Vietnamese by the “spelling” method, know the accent marks
● Speak Vietnamese fluently
● Introduction and education of traditional good behaviors of Vietnamese children
Contents of textbooks for grade levels 5, 6 and 7 (Intermediate Levels):
● Improved reading comprehension and speaking skills
● Correct grammar and sentence structure for writing
● Introduction of traditional morality and values, culture and heritage, Vietnamese history, country, and
the people, including famous figures and heroes
● Introduction of some Vietnamese legends or historical stories
Kindergarten Material Contents:
● Speak common Vietnamese vocabulary and statements
● Introduction and education of traditional good behaviors of Vietnamese children
● Introduction of the Vietnamese alphabet and accent marks
Arts & Culture Engagement & Education Workshop Programs
ABOUT
ABOUT ARTS AND CULTURE ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Arts and Cultural Engagement and Education Program was designed to enrich the studentlanguage learning experience with a range of cultural engagement activities. Language and culturego hand in hand because they are both ways of expressing our identities and values as Vietnamesepeople.
Participants will engage with storytelling, poetry, music, dance, textiles, food, and hands-on arts &craft that touch upon Vietnamese heritage and empower students to express themselves as the nextgeneration of the Vietnamese diaspora.
This program is part of the language program curriculum where the students have 45 minutes ofcultural engagement every Saturday (after the recess) from 11:15-12:30 pm.
Attendance will be taken and counted as class participation grade in the student report cards.
MUSIC PROGRAM: VIETNAMESE ZITHERS – DAN TRANH & DAN BAU
In 2010, Au Co Center began a legacy of preserving Vietnamese traditional music in the Vietnamese American community of San Francisco, and the Bay Area. At that time, our first zither class was opened under the instruction of Master Vanessa Van-Anh Vo. The class has successfully grown and developed three generations of zither artists.
Su Viet Zithers Ensemble was founded in 2010 by the Au Co Vietnamese Cultural Center’s Zither class, led by Emmy Award winner Master Vanessa Van-Anh Vo. Besides preserving Vietnamese traditional arts, the ensemble's vision and long-term goals are to bring the younger generation into the forefront of traditional Vietnamese music.
In the past five years, the class developed its musical skills to advanced levels, allowing the ensemble to perform in grand theatrical productions, including nation-wide events such as John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Oakland Symphony, Asian Arts Museum, Legion of Honor, Asian Heritage Street Celebration, and Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival.