Summer Programs for Teachers

CLASS Organized the first US-China Joint Conference

on Teaching Chinese as a Second Language

July 18 through July 22, 2005 at Tongzhou, Beijing

首届中美中小学中文教师研讨会今年七月在北京通州隆重举行

Report on the US-China Joint Conference

In collaboration with Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the National Office of Teaching Chinese as Second Language (Hanban), and the Education Commission at Tongzhou, CLASS has successfully conducted the first US-China Joint Conference on teaching Chinese as a second language from July 18 through July 22, 2005 at Tongzhou, Beijing. This conference was designed for Chinese language teachers in the United States to meet and articulate common concerns with those teachers who teach Chinese to foreign students in China. Forty enthusiastic K-12 Chinese language teachers from the United States actively interacted with fifty Hanyu teachers in China. It was an eye-opening experience for both American teachers and teachers in China to see what other Chinese teachers were doing in their classroom. The ideas they exchanged and obtained from the presentations were valuable and useful to their teaching.  The visit to Lu He High School was one of the highlights in Tongzhou.  Principal Zhang gave the conference participants a warm reception and the school staff escorted a tour of their beautiful campus.  Participating teachers were impressed with the school’s long history and its modern, complete facilities.   

首届中美中小学中文教师研讨会（The US-China Joint Conference）已于二零零五年七月十八日至二十三日在北京通州隆重举行。这是中美中小学中文教师期盼已久的首届国际学术会议。四十名美方中文教师飞跃太平洋，来到汉语的故乡 --  中国，与中国的同行聚会北京，共同交流中文教学的学术研究成果，畅谈自己教书的经验与心得早在两年前，为了推动中文教学的一步展，增进国际间在这一领域的合作，CLASS、中国教委、中国汉办、北京市教委和通州教育局共同提出了召开中文教学国际会议的意向。经过中美双方精心的策划与筹办，今年夏天，大会终于由联合国教科文组织，美国中小学中文教师协会（CLASS）和北京市通州教委共同主办，胜利召开了！

这一会议旨在为美国 K-12的中文教师，及中国从事对外汉语教学的教师提供一个交流平台，使大洋两岸的中文教师加强相互了解和双向沟，对大家共同关心的中文教学方面的问题展开深入讨论。次会议开得十分成功。美方提交了20篇论文，就全美中小学中文学习目标（Five Standards），汉语学习综合能力的评估，以学生为中心的教学活动的安排，主题教学，课程设计，自编教材等会议主题进行了深入的探讨。三天的会议安排得非常紧凑。七月的北京，天气炎热，可老师们的学习热情更高。老师们普遍反映这次会议收获很大。其一，这次大会很实用。老师们会上会下相互交流了不少宝贵的教学经验和资料，其中有教学上的新尝试，新思路，还有老师们带到会议上的课堂练习，考卷以及发给学生的作业和讲义。老师们高兴地说，这些东西非常实用，拿回去稍作改动就能用在自己的课堂上。其二，这次大会使大家从理论上有所提高。要想当一名合格的中文老师，交出高质量的学生，就不能只满足于做个教书匠，而要在教学理论和中文水平上不断充电和提高。大会上的一些报告，如介绍中文学习目标（Five Standards），主题教学，评估方法等，就是为了帮助大家在理论上提高认识而安排的。

会议期间，全体美方老师荣幸地应邀参加了在北京人民大会堂召开的首届世界汉语大会的开幕式，参观了首都师大的对外汉语教学中心、潞河中学，观摩了中方老师的汉语教学。美国全球知识教育基金会还向每位与会代表赠送了一份大会光碟。这些活动给老师们留下了美好的印象。现在，老师们已满载而归，他们将在新学年中，在各自的教学岗位上做出新的贡献。

此次会议美方筹委会主席为麻州的林游岚老师和王执文老师，其他筹委会委员有加州的胡家兴老师，新州的竹露茜老师和康州的陈少元老师。大会筹委都是在职或退休的中文老师，她们为此次大会投入了大量辛勤的劳动。我们的老会长王老师是美方担任统筹安排的负责人，会议筹备期间，为了保证大会的顺利召开，她对每个细节都作了充分考虑，并为此付出了无数心血。我们全体会议代表对大会筹备小组的出色工作和无私奉献，致以崇高的敬意！

最后，我们要再次真诚地感谢具体承办大会的北京通州区潞河中学，他们为此付出了大量的人力、物力与财力。我们也真诚地感谢大会的协办单位：美国希望教育基金会（Hope Foundation）和美国全球知识教育基金会（GKE），几年来，学会的工作得到了两个基金会的无私捐助，与两个基金会之间的协作非常愉快，我们的工作也卓有成效。我们还要再次真诚地感谢中国汉办、北京市教委、以及北京通州区教育委员会领导给予大会的全力支持，没有各位领导的扶持，大会不可能取得如此圆满的成功！


Reflections from the Attendees of the US-China Joint Conference

The CLASS workshops at Tongzhou provided us with an important platform at a critical time. It was a platform for ideas and information of far-reaching significance to our teaching practice. This program updated our knowledge on planning and teaching Mandarin Chinese courses, and brought us on the same page as to the essentials of a Chinese curriculum that is grounded in the national standards for teaching foreign languages. The format of the workshops (i.e. the selection and grouping of the topics, the time / timing, and the sequence, etc.) has to a certain extent contributed to the beneficial and positive results the workshops have achieved. As more and more teachers are encouraged to incorporate the 5Cs, eleven standards and three communicative modes into their curricular mapping, the format of future workshops might as well employ these goals/standards/modes as the bases, upon which to group the presentations. Classroom activities that help enhance students’ interpersonal skills, for example, could be grouped under the umbrella category of Interpersonal Mode. Similarly, activities and techniques that aim at facilitating students’ understanding of culture and language through comparison and contrast could be grouped under Comparison, the 4^th C of the 5Cs. This category could be sub-divided into Cultural Comparison, and Linguistic Comparison as well.  Some of the participants at Tongzhou workshops felt that the 15-minute limit for their presentation was too restricting. To increase the amount of time, in my opinion, would be impractical to the point of impossible as we all know that sufficient time is a commodity of luxury few conferences of this nature could afford. To maximize the benefits for the audience within the original time frame (15 minutes), I suggest that the presenter stick to the following:  1)  State the purpose of designing the classroom activity to be presented, and its relevance to the goals of the workshop; 2)  Highlight the most critical part of the process (i.e. what you did that made the activity as effective as it is …); 3)  Demonstrate the effect of the classroom activity. (using a combination of visuals along with oral narration seems to be more efficient than oral presentation alone); 4)  Cut the peripheral details, and save them for future workshops.                                                                                                        

此次通州研討會，我認為會員們最大的收穫可從幾方面來說：

 1. 知己知彼

連續好幾年，CLASS的會員均以學生的身分到中國去學習專業知識，這次通州研討會，不但讓美方代表有機會全面了解中方代表在北京各個學校中教授漢語的現況，實際參觀了通州潞河中學的校舍與教學，學習了眼到、心到、手到、腳到的學習方法，而且更讓中美方的代表們以論文發表的方式大展專業才華。

潞河中學張校長精湛的演說及影片介紹，精美好吃的點心，厚重成袋的紀念品，讓大家都心動不已。「己所欲，施於人」，希望我們的學生，不論暑期時或高中畢業之後，皆有機會到中國去學習漢語，體驗中國人的生活與文化。我也因此對自己的工作目標，有了更高的期許。

 2. 食衣住行樣樣具備,精神物質雙重的享受

東方賓館座落在通州的美食街，賓館內的餐廳每天都供應豐富的餐飲，從甜到鹹，到特鹹；從清淡到油膩，到特油膩；從熱菜到涼菜，到特涼菜；真是應有盡有。才一個星期的時間，我維持了多年的身材，就這樣走樣了。

聽說以前的通州是縣，最近才畫入北京市的範圍。傍晚時分，我想到各處走走，服務人員告訴我最有看頭的就是美食街了。美食街全長最多三、四百公尺，有金碧輝煌的餐廳，有燈光黯淡的足療室，有成排的三輪車，有成群的饕客，有成堆的乘涼者，還有三三兩兩的閒逛者。我還沒走累，整條街就走完了。當我與貞贤、張妍、陳昕信步逛入足療室時，才居然發現，同好者竟然不少，一半以上的美方代表都在此伺候足下。

3. 教學成果分享，

崔麗君老師及王金英老師不但有專業水準的編導能力，說、演、唱作亦俱佳，堪稱為本會之寶。相信大家都記得成果發表會上的名言：「不到北京不知道自己的官小，不到通州不知道自己的漢語不好」,「生命在於運動、發展在於互動、朋友在於走動」。

孟援朝老師的嗖嗖嗖、呼呼呼，在令人昏昏欲睡的下午，最能振奮大家繼續學習的意願。熊華麗老師的寓教于歌，叫好又叫座。謝碧霞老師的「北京故事」，激發了老師們對於電影教學的討論，大家都把自己認為最好的教學電影、錄像带、電視節目等列下來，一起分享。李守平老師的茶經，范良琦老師慢條斯理的講座，林宛芊老師來不及全部介紹的的小學教學，伍淑君老師報告的寫作教學，張育年老師的語言學習成長錄，還有許多其他老師的報告，都引起了熱烈的討論。五十位來自各地的幼兒園、小學、中學漢語老師同聚一堂研討，其精采狀況可想而知，其研討成果也極其豐碩，。每位老師所分配到的時間實在不夠用，一延再延，主持人只好使出鐵腕，嚴格實行鈴聲控制時間。

 當然我們最不會忘記的就是Janice Dowd 的外語教學策略 (Teaching Strategies) 及我們五位領導胡家興老師、林遊嵐老師、竹露茜老師、陳少元老師、王執文老師語重心長的叮嚀，主題教學 (Thematic Unit)、課程銜接 ( Articulation)、 5 Cs ( 溝通Communication, 文化 Cultures, 貫連Connections, 比較Comparisons, 社區應用communities) 及 3 Modes (單向的Interpretative, 雙向的Interpersonal, and 單向的Presentational Mode)。理論加上實際操作，令人想忘也忘不了。

北京「金科育」公司將會議全程錄影，並致送五天的座談光盤，令人感激不盡。至於我們向「金科育」公司另外登記的三片光盤，相信也已進行製作，應在不久的將來即可收到。


 

CLASS 2005 Summer Program in Shanghai

CLASS在华东师范大学暑期培训课程

Reflections from the Participants 

The Shanghai Summer Workshop 2005 held at East China Normal University College of International Studies provided a rich environment for instructional methodology sharing and curricular exchange.  The twenty stateside attendees represented Chinese language teachers from Hawaii to Massachusetts.  The experiential profile of educators ranged from those with only nascent Chinese teaching experience to established veterans possessing over thirty years of Mandarin Chinese program. The diversity of educators propelled interesting vehicles for commentary, friendly debate, and open-minded comparison between the finer distinctions in American and Chinese socio-cultural norms.  

The course offerings created a context for interfacing and networking across curricular content and standards based instruction.  In addition to best practices and methods in Chinese language instruction, the workshops showcased a host of creative and effective instructional strategies and approaches to include cultural curriculum that will undoubtedly enrich and enliven the Mandarin classroom with dynamic pedagogy.  Moreover, engaging cultural projects such as Chinese paper cutting, Chinese calligraphy, drama and dance are certain to motivate and authenticate the Chinese classroom experience.  Perhaps the most valuable benefit of the Shanghai Summer Institute has been the opportunity to develop friendships and professional relationships with educators who share the same commitment and passion for Chinese language instruction.  On a practical level, teachers possessing disparate experience were able to swap strategies regarding techniques such as classroom management, incentive models and assessment rubrics.  We anticipate the language instruction process will bring challenging frustrations and uncertainties.  However, we are comforted that the ability to match a friendly face with an e-mail address and/or phone number will undoubtedly serve as evidence of the enduring friendships and fruitful professional resources that were cultivated during this invaluable training workshop.           

 在上海华东师大两星期的培训着实获益良多。在精彩有趣的文化课程之外，还有许多配合对外汉语教学的课程。比如口语，语法和汉字教学，还有越来越普遍的电脑远程教学课。也许是巧合，石老师，曹老师和史老师在课堂上都简要的提到了中国文字中的六书。说到中国文字的构造，就不能不了解六书。学生在学习中文时，如果对每一个文字的构造有较深入的理解将有助于学生的学习和记忆。六书中的象形，指事，会意和形声是造字法，而转注和假借为用字法。其中，象形是指独体的文，如日，月，山。指事是指用纯记号来表示抽象的事务。如甘，上，下。会意是指结合两个以上不同的象形文字来表示另一意义。如休，看，好。形声字在汉字中居最重要的地位，约占百分之九十五。左形右声，十分巧妙又合逻辑。如江，河，蚊等。由于时代的变迁或地域的不同而产生了一些一义多字或一字多义的情形，因而有了转注和假借字。据史老师说，如 其，我等字都是借而不还的假借字。

 陈勤健教授的民俗讲座深入浅出非常精彩。他认为四千年前这个世界是鸟的天下。鸟食是米有考证，也有传说。传说 玉皇大帝有珍珠米，麻雀去天上偷珍珠米，请老鼠帮助咬开袋子麻雀叼起种子，扔给狗，狗把种子放在尾巴上，翘着尾巴游过河。麻雀则被抓住，被拔掉尾巴上的羽毛。若不是为此，今天的麻雀会漂亮许多。后来麻雀被祭为“送谷神”，也叫“送子神”。民间有农历二月十九的祭礼麻雀，俗称“麻雀饭”。陈教授用很有趣的故事和事实，把中国民俗的点点滴滴贯穿在一起，为我们能更好的理解中国的文化做了很好的铺垫。

Report on The first World Chinese Conference

 The first World Chinese Conference was held from July 20 to July 22, 2005. Fifty-one CLASS teachers interrupted their workshops in Tongzhou in order to attend the Opening ceremony at the People’s Hall in Beijing. For most of us it was awesome to enter this hall normally reserved for national or worldwide dignitaries. The opening ceremony was presided by Zhou Ji, Minister of the Department of Education and Chen Zhili, State Councilor, President of the World Chinese Conference.

 We were very impressed with most of the speakers. Mulatu Teshorme, Speaker of the House of the Federation, Ethiopia used Chinese he learned while studying in Beijing years ago as a college student. Gaston Caperton, President of the College Board gave a inspiring speech about College Board’s mission and effort to install more world language offerings in AP exams. He also mentioned his wife would start teaching at East China Normal University this fall and his daughter studying Chinese at the same university. Joel Bellassen, General Inspector of French National Education for Chinese Language gave his speech in near perfect Putonghua about the increasing interest in learning Hanyu because of the rapid economic development in China and rich Chinese culture. In France, the number of students learning Hanyu in secondary and college level has increased 170%. Chan Soo Seng, Minister of State for Education in Singapore pointed out Singapore being an ethnic Chinese majority country encouraging students to study Hanyu is critically important not only to the job market, but for the cultural heritage of the society in general. The last speaker was 安娜库金娜, from Russia, the winner of the 4^th Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students. She used fluent Chinese to deliver her short remark and won a lot of applause. She will receive a full scholarship to study in China.

 After all the speeches, the National Office For Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (NOCFL) awarded signboards for Confucius Institutes around the world including SFSU, City of Chicago, University of Maryland, etc. 

On July 21, four hundred delegates attended different sessions for their field of  interest. There were three forums with various topics to choose from. All the sessions were video taped. Maybe we can get DVD copies from Hanban specially that of the opening ceremony and the performance gala show.  

Forum One: Multicultural Communication and Demand for the Chinese Language. Topics: Language development in a multi-cultural framework (government policies on the Chinese language in countries around the world); the role of Chinese in promoting cultural exchanges and trade development between China and participants’ home countries. 

Forum Two: Operation Mechanisms for Chinese Teaching and learning in the new era. Topics: Establishment and development of Confucius Institutes; Reform and development of the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK); Training projects for overseas teachers of Chinese; innovation in teaching material and exploitation of internet resource. 

Forum Three: Prospects of Second Language Education. Topics: Research on the theory of second language education; methods for promoting second language education; Research on the theory of teaching Chinese as a second language. 

The World Chinese Conference performance Gala Show: Spirit of Harmony 神韵 (风，雅，颂) opened with a poem recitation by 200 children depicting China’s long-cherished culture, its long-lasting charm and all-embracing feature, followed by ethnic dances, instruments, magic show, Xiangsheng by foreign children, fashion show and Peking opera by foreigners, Wushu, acrobatic show and ended with the dance of Thousand-Hand Guanyin (Bodhisattva) performed by 21 deaf-mute young men and women. It was a most magnificent variety show for most spectators. The lighting, staging, decors were superb and artistic. The theme evoked a glamorous long-lasting Chinese culture. And the performers were from all age groups and different countries. Those handicapped dancers were truly amazing. Their concentration, coordination and expressions were awesome. 大山 (Mark Rowswelle) was hosting the show with Liang Hong. His impeccable Chinese with humor made a huge impression to the audience, Chinese or non-Chinese alike. Another impressive number was Chinese illusion performers with their changing clothes, umbrellas and faces in the blink of an eye.  

This World conference has provided an opportunity to gather the world Chinese language leaders to exchange their present situation and for the Chinese authority, namely the Department of Education and National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign language to showcase what they have done and they are capable of helping in the promotion of the Chinese language teaching and learning around the world. China needs to understand the world, and the world needs to understand China. As Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess of Thailand said in her remarks “Language is one of the most important means of human communication. Exchanges of knowledge, thoughts and feelings can be best achieved through languages. In order to fortify the friendship among nations the best way is to learn their languages.”