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California Tamil Academy (CTA) 
Institution name: California Tamil Academy (CTA)
Address: 14435 C Big Basin Way
#179
Saratoga, CA 95070
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Extension:
Fax: (755) 552-2620
Web address: http://www.catamilacademy.org
 
Name: Selvi Rajamanickam
Title:
Address: 14435 C Big Basin Way
Saratoga,  CA  95070
Email: selvi@catamilacademy.org; catamilacademy@yahoo.com
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Extension:
Fax:
Purposes and goals of the program:
CTA was established with the primary objective of teaching Tamil to the children and young adults living in California. CTA also sponsor music, dance, drama, and art forms based on the Tamil language and culture. Five branches of CTA are located throughout California in Cupertino, Fremont, Pleasanton, SJ Evergreen, and Folsom. CTA has 17 other affiliated schools in California, Connecticutt, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington. In addition, three of the affiliated schools are located outside of the United States, in the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
Program origin:
CTA began as home school consisting of 13 students and organized by enthusiastic parents, who wished to keep her children in touch with their mother tongue and cultural heritage. CTA was founded in 1998 with the help of 4 parent volunteer teachers, and by 2005 it grew to a staff of 85.
Program funding:
 
Languages/dialects taught:
  • Tamil
    •
    Program type:  Organization-Based
    Average enrollment:
    Total contact hours per week: 1.5
    Times per week classes meet: 1
    When meetings take place:
    Sundays, 10-11:30 am
    Where meetings take place:
    Classes take place at 5 branches: Cupertino, Fremont, Pleasonton, SJ Evergreen, and Folsom.
    Parents' or guardians' expectations of the program:
    Parents' or guardians' involvement in the program:
    Instructors' expectations of the program:
    Number of instructors in the program
    Full-time instructors:
    Part-time instructors:
    Volunteer instructors:
    Languages in which instructors are proficient:
    Educational backgrounds and credentials of instructors
    (e.g., diploma, bachelor's, master's, doctorate, certificate):
    Professional development opportunities instructors have:
    Professional development opportunities instructors need:
    Students' expectations of the program:
    Student background
    First-generation immigrants:
    Second-generation immigrants:
    Third-generation immigrants:
    Children of interethnic marriages:
    Children of interethnic adoption:
    Indigenous students:
    Others:
    Students' countries of origin:
    How the program identifies heritage language speakers:
    Average enrollment:
    Approximate percentage of students who complete the program:
    Approximate percentage of students who continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Possible reasons that students continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Total contact hours per week: 1.5
    Times per week: 1
    Student grouping (e.g., proficiency level, grade, age):
    Pre-school ( I and II), Basic levels (1,2,3), Grades (1-7), 2 Conversation levels, High School Credit Program
    Language skills taught in the program (e.g., reading, writing, speaking, and listening):
    Reading, Writing, Speaking
    Aspects of culture included in the program (e.g., history, literature, traditions):
    Music, Dance, Drama, Art, Tradtions, Festivals (Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil New Year, etc.)
    Other content taught in the program:
    CTA also offers students the opportunity to join clubs like Tamil Discussion and Debate, Writing Club, Training in Tamil Computing, etc.
    Instructional methodologies used in the program:
    Levels of language proficiency reached by the end of the program (e.g., ACTFL proficiency levels, language tasks able to perform):
    Textbooks:
    Books recognized by the Government of Tamil Nadu, India, for Grades 1-7
    Manuals and workbooks:
    Self-designed materials:
    Printed book sets (reading, writing, and exercies) for Pre-school I and II, and Basic 1-3
    Films, videos, and DVDs:
    Music:
    Technology:
    Weekly emails, Yahoo groups for teachers, Tamil Virtual University
    Standardized tests used:
    Other assessments used:
    Connections with local schools or other organizations:
    Credit received from formal education system:
    CTA contacted Spanish and French teachers, as well as parents in the Chinese community in Saratoga in order to gather information about the process of making Tamil a credited second language at Saratoga High School. CTA submitted a syllabus/curriculum, structure of the class, and books and materials to the Board of Education. Approval was received in October of 2003 from the Fremont Union School District to allow CTA to teach Tamil for high school credit at Cupertino and Sunnyvale.
    Types of support received (e.g., financial, time from parents or volunteers):
    Additional support desired:
    Challenges faced by the program:
     
    Comments:
    Click on the following link to view California Tamil Academy students:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up4PuEsQZCM
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXLNhb6fT6c
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG6cEWHwSaM


    This profile was created by Mahida Bachu on May 7, 2013.