“I love that Yak Academy's lessons are completely interactive. It's so much better than other programs that focus on rote memorization. The kids have no idea they are learning because they are being immersed and having so much fun.”
San Diego, Yak Academy Learning Center
Online registration is not available for this location. Please contact your center director for registration information.
Meet the Team
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MS. YERIKA, SPANISH INSTRUCTOR
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MS. CARMEN, CO-DIRECTOR / SPANISH INSTRUCTOR Hola! Me nombre es Miss Carmen. I am a San Diego native and grew up in a bicultural/bilingual household. I am so grateful to my parents for giving me the gift of a second language. It has helped me immensely throughout the course my life and has become a big part of who I am. I am focused on raising my daughter with a love of both languages as well. In addition to my focus on my language and my culture, I have a great love for photography and the written word. I do commissioned art series work photographically. I have published an art photography book (sort of a small coffee table book) and had numerous gallery showing both in the US and abroad. Also, I have written my whole life, mostly poetry and short stories until a few years ago when I began writing and I am currently working on my third novel. I am excited to be a part of the Yak Team!
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MISS DENISSE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / SPANISH & FRENCH INSTRUCTOR Hola (and Bonjour!), me llamo Denisse Ypiña. I was born and raised in Mexicali, Mexico. I lived there with my family until 2006 when I transferred to San Diego State University to continue studying International Business. I also studied at ESSEC, a business school in Paris, France. Being away from home and in a foreign country made me realize how global our world is becoming. My awareness of cultural diversity, combined with my passion for teaching brought me to Yak Academy. Now I enjoy teaching French, as well as my native language, to kids in a fun way! |
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MISS ELLEN, CO-DIRECTOR / MANDARIN INSTRUCTOR Nǐ hǎǒ, wǒ jiào Ellen Fan Chiang. I am a native Mandarin speaker from Taipei, Taiwan. My major in college was Broadcasting, where I received a lot of voice training. I also have a Master’s Degree in Management Communications and Public Relations and worked for Microsoft Taiwan for nearly 5 years. I moved to San Diego in 2006 and love spending time with kids. To acquire more knowledge about children, I am taking classes in Child Development at Miramar College. Currently, I live in Scripps Ranch with my husband. |
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MRS. ESTELLA TAI, MANDARIN INSTRUCTOR Nǐ hǎǒ! I am a native Mandarin speaker from Taiwan, Taipei. I immigrated to the United States as a teenager and hold a Master’s degree in Bioengineering. I have always loved teaching and working with children. I have over 5 years of experience working with toddler and preschool age children in the classroom setting. I have lived in San Diego for 15 years and am a mom of three. I am very excited to join the teaching team at Yak Academy and can’t wait to meet you and your children! |
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MS. KATHY, MANDARIN INSTRUCTOR Nǐ hǎǒ! My name is Kathy Hsiao and I was born and raised in beautiful Taiwan. I have been fortunate to have traveled and lived in many places, but San Diego is my favorite. I graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelors degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Tourism Management. After graduation, I returned to Taiwan where I was the lead teacher and manager of a children learning center. This was when I fell in love with teaching children !! I get encouraged when I see children grow into their full potential and that I played a part in it.
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