Bodhi Tree Language Center

I actually only had the opportunity to take one class at this center because after someone dropping out, the class size was too small to continue. I was deeply disappointed, but I thought I would still share my experience.
The only thing that really bothered me was how warm the room was. Maybe I just have a high tolerance for things, but I wasn’t put off by anything. I was there to learn Cantonese Level 1. The instructor was very kind and friendly, and I hate that I forgot her name.
If you’re going in there expecting to be taught, then go somewhere else. This is a place to talk about the language, go through dialogue, and familiarize yourself with the way it sounds and how to speak it. But there weren’t drills, memorizing or starting with the basics like tones. And that was fine for me because my memory is excellent and I can clearly remember how the instructor says it and I can repeat it.
I’m thinking about doing one-​on-​one tutoring there, but the distance is a little out of my way. These are community classes and I had a good time.

I have studied languages all my life. I’m turning 50 years old this year. Most of the languages I have studied are European languages (German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese — Brazilian variety). I also have advanced degrees in German and Spanish. In short, I’m a trained linguist and picky about how language is taught.
I wanted in my mid-​life to test my language-​acquisition skills, particularly by trying to learn a non-​European language. That’s why I tried the Bodhi Tree.
The languages I speak were skills I acquired before I turned 30. They used to say one can’t learn a language later in life. But, that turns out not to be true! And I’m proof. I was pleased that with the excellent instruction and tutelage of a great teacher (excellent, really) and an organization with flexibility, I was able to accomplish that goal by studying and learning Thai through the Bodhi Tree Language Centre.
If you are interested in learning languages in a supportive and professional environment, I would recommend the Bodhi Tree.

I don’t normally post reviews… but, I happened upon this negative one regarding the Bodhi Tree, and I felt compelled to give my own in order to provide some balance.
I have been associated with The Bodhi Tree for about 6 years on and off now… and I have to say it’s always been a positive experience. My oldest son started taking Adult classes in Mandarin Chinese while in high school. He is now a Sophomore at University of Oregon, majoring in Physics, with a Chinese minor. He often commented on the mixture of personalities, and learning styles in the class… but it didn’t seem to hinder his learning experience. What did make the biggest impact on him was the personal attention the teachers were willing to give him. My son went to Harbin, China last summer on a language scholarship… and is doing exceptionally well in his language classes.
I attribute a great deal of his success to the wonderful teachers at the Bodhi Tree. In fact we have been so happy with the school, that my 3 year old is in now enrolled in their immersion preschool program, and she absolutely LOVES it. Right now the atmosphere at the school is small and homey… and we couldn’t be happier.
So all in all I would say… that there may be a few small deficits, but the benefits, in my opinion far outweigh them.

You get what you pay for. Bodhi Tree’s adult languages classes are affordable and scheduled conveniently for working people. They are not university classes and don’t pretend to be. They’re not even high school classes. They’re «community» classes which attract learners with a very wide variety of abilities, backgrounds, and motivations. The public assumption that being a native speaker of a language somehow qualifies a person to teach that language seems to rule here.
Before a scheduled sojourn in a foreign land, I was delighted to find an available class in the language of that land, and cheerfully signed up. I did the homework and attended every session. My teacher was not a credentialed language instructor but this person was generally punctual, knowledgeable and sincere. The textbook was good. My overall disappointing results were not due to any lack of good will on the part of students or teacher. The issue was that because the instructors are not trained in how to handle mixed-​level classes, my teacher wasted a great deal of time (my time) in trying to cater to those unprepared (didn’t do the homework) or those who have no idea how to learn a language (most Americans).
For example, one woman student, in her thirties, leapt up from her seat at least three times during every class to answer voice calls, and texted constantly throughout. Having missed the instruction, she would ask the teacher to repeat the point, which he politely did. Another older man apparently had never studied a language before (perhaps had never studied anything before). He filled the class hour with random questions about basic grammar (what is a noun? what do you mean, noun?) history, and politics — all of which the teacher politely answered, sometimes at length.
Due to the teacher’s lack of training in mixed-​level classroom management, the pace of instruction was extremely slow and disorderly. In eight weeks I learned very little. I would not go back. Still, with so much variation among individual teachers and the possibility of a better mix of adult students, your mileage may vary. Bodhi tree is the only place in Portland to get formal instruction in Mongolian, for example — and it’s affordable. By all means give it a try, but I’d recommend to keep expectations low.