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| Focusing on Chinese Language Teachers |
 A great teacher is crucial to the success of a Chinese language program. In this issue, we will focus on programs that supply and support teachers. Learn about the accomplishments of the 2007 STARTALK and State Department Chinese teacher programs as well as a new teacher preparation initiative created by the Freeman Foundation. Read the Connecticut study that examines how visiting teachers from China have performed in U.S. schools, and many other news in the field.
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Freeman Foundation Supports Six Universities to Train Chinese Language Teachers
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The Freeman Foundation recently awarded six universities major grants to expand their groundbreaking efforts to prepare Chinese language teachers. The grantees--George Mason University, New York University, Rice University, Rutgers University, University of Hawaii, and University of Pennsylvania--came together for a first annual grantee meeting organized by Asia Society. The participants were able to focus on Chinese language teacher preparation issues, including lessons learned and partnership ideas.
These universities are supplying teachers to schools and districts throughout the country, and will be poised to do more in the coming years. Click here to learn more and be in touch with these institutions. |
| U.S. State Department Offers Linguistic Immersion and Pedagogical Training in China |
 The U.S. State Department is working to strengthen critical need foreign language instruction at U.S. schools by providing intermediate- and advanced-level Chinese language teachers the opportunity for intensive language study and pedagogical training in China. Last year, the program sponsored six educators to travel and do research in China. One teacher remarked, "The benefits are priceless. I'm ecstatic--I learned language and topics that are relevant to my students such as the latest in text messaging. And I bought 70 books to bring home!" The summer 2008 applications will become available soon. Learn more about this program from the perspectives of six teachers who traveled last year.
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2007 STARTALK Chinese Language Teacher Programs
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 Seventeen STARTALK Chinese Language Teacher Programs made a notable impact in preparing and supporting Chinese language teachers in the United States.
Just who are these teachers? 292 Chinese teachers, ranging from visiting teachers from China to university faculty, benefited from STARTALK's series of intensive professional development programs. According to the teachers' background survey data, 96% of Chinese teacher trainees were native speakers of Chinese, and 83% were female. 4% holds a doctorate degree, 64% holds a Master's degree, and 4% holds a Bachelor's degree. 92% of the teacher trainees reported that they would be eager to participate in similar STARTALK programs next year; and 90% indicate that they plan to become certified to teach the language.
The following are some testimonies from recent trainees.
"The Program is an important part of my professional growth. It ushered me into a new realm of teaching and provided me rich resources which I can always turn to when I meet with problems in my teaching. I obtained more ideas and usable information from the institute than I have from several years of teaching."
"The best parts of the program included the instructors, location, and participants. Having a chance to network with others in my field has broadened my horizons for professional development, better teaching materials, and techniques. It has been an invaluable experience."
"Though the schedule is tight, it is quite helpful to present us with the various teaching techniques. I found myself a strong sense of mission, that is, to be a good Chinese teacher and to promote the Chinese language and culture among American kids. I learned how to manage the classroom and how to arouse the students' interest in learning Chinese. I was so much inspired by the experts we had in this institute. They presented us with so many precious teaching materials and they themselves are the best resources."
"The best parts of the program were the lessons and the teachers. I learned so many new concepts and ideas about teaching that I never knew before, and I am able to use what I learned during the program to teach my students. The teachers were wonderful and helped us every step of the way. They were the best mentors I ever had."
To learn more about STARTALK programs, including upcoming opportunities, click here.
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| Visiting Teachers Make a Difference in Connecticut |
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Over two years ago, the Connecticut State Department of Education signed an agreement with the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) to supply Chinese language teachers to Connecticut schools.
The Volunteer Teacher Program hosted five teachers from China during the 2005-2006 school year in four school districts, and 11 teachers during the 2006-2007 school year in six public schools, one independent school and one state university.
The Connecticut Department of Education arranged the visas and certification, and it provided opportunities for professional development in collaboration with the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers. Hanban organized the teacher selection process and provided airfare, as well as some orientation and professional development. The teachers from China received their national salaries, but it was not enough to cover all costs in Connecticut. The hosting districts arranged for room, board, transportation to and from school, and health insurance.
To read the report of this study, click here. |
| Congratulations! 20 Years of the Springfield Program |
 The Springfield Public Schools (MA) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Chinese Language and Culture Program. With Chinese Language and Culture programs springing up throughout the nation, Asia Society sends its special congratulations to this long-standing, exemplary program.
The program could not have been possible without the initial funding support of the Geraldine Dodge Foundation and the leadership of Dr. Kathleen M. Riordan, former ACTFL president and retired Director of Foreign Languages of the Springfield Public Schools; Dr. Mei-Ju Hwang, founding teacher of the Springfield Public Schools Chinese Language and Culture Program; among many others. The continued support and tireless efforts of numerous administrators, teachers, students, parents, and the entire community were keys to its success and longevity. To read the full article, click here. |
Sesame Workshop Launches Panwapa
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 Sesame Workshop Launches New Initiative in Five Languages Including Chinese
Sesame Workshop, the creators of Sesame Street worldwide, has launched a new initiative called Panwapa for kids ages 4 through 8. The site is a safe, virtual world where kids will be allowed to meet other Panwapa Kids and explore the countries of the world through Panwapa Mail and Treasure Hunts. Funded by the Merrill Lynch Foundation, Panwapa is available online at www.panwapa.com for free in five languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. A Teacher's Guide will support the use of Panwapa in classrooms. The companion curriculum will be available on DVD, a print outreach package, or can be downloaded from the website. Click below to create your own 'Me Page,' explore the different languages, and trade messages with other Panwapa kids around the world. Click here to visit Panwapa. |
Questions of the Month
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 How can I find a visiting or guest teacher for my program?
Several partnerships can help you arrange for a visiting teacher to your school or community. They include the College Board in partnership with Hanban (China's national office for promoting Chinese language); the U.S. Department of State; National Council on U.S.-China Relations; as well as National Association of Independent Schools. Click here for their programs and contact information.
Where do visiting or guest teachers serve?
Asia Society recently compiled a report showing the number and distribution of visiting and guest teachers throughout the United States. The numbers are also broken down by state. Click here to download this summary report. |
Chinese in the News
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 Texas, Ohio and Oregon Get U.S. Aid for Teaching Foreign Languages
The Associated Press, October 22, 2007 | Full text
Diversity as Normal as Speaking Chinese
The New York Times, October 7, 2007 | Full text
Distance Learning Stretches to Far East
The Morning Star, October 21, 2007 | Full text
Columnist Urges Korea on Learning Chinese
Chosun Ilbo (Korea Daily), October 17, 2007 | Full text
Chinese Taught at Charlotte High Schools
The International Herald Tribune, October 21, 2007 | Full text
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We welcome your feedback on this newsletter and encourage you to share information that would be of interest to the wider community. Please pass this newsletter on to others who are interested in Chinese language programs in the schools.
Sincerely,
Shuhan C. Wang, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Chinese Language Initiatives
Asia Society
email: chinese@askasia.org
web: www.askasia.org/chinese |
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