The importance of cultural connections and learning to learn ....

This article writes about bi-lingual preschools. It emphasises the advantages of learning a second language young including Mandarin Chinese. It talks about making cultural connections between languages and how learning a second language improves general literacy and awareness of how communication works.

January 3 2009

Hemel Hempstead Chinese School for children receives national QiSS (Ofsted / DCSF) award

A Chinese school has received a national award for the quality of its teaching.
The Dacorum Chinese School Association in Hemel Hempstead, that teaches Mandarin from beginner's level to A level, was praised for the variety of learning it offers.

It organises Tai Chi classes and Chinese art activities, cultural events and trips.

The school has now received a Quality in Study Support (QiSS) award for its efforts, part of an initiative by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

The scheme praises and rewards activities offered to children and young people outside their normal lesson time.

The Chinese school, which boasts 60 students aged five to 75, received the award at County Hall, Hertford, in December.
24 December 2008

Crescent School Okalhoma starts after school program for kids learning Chinese

18 November 2008
NEWS OK Oklahoman

With an eye cast toward the future, Crescent School officials hope a new program started this year will give their children the skills they need to compete in the 21st century.

The district has started an after-school program to teach first-grade students how to read and speak Chinese.

Three days each week, a teacher from the University of Oklahoma comes to Crescent to teach the children basic expressions — hello, goodbye — and other familiar words such as mother and father.

Eric Wood, a first-grade teacher at Crescent Elementary, assists during the afternoon programs. Wood said the young students have picked up the language with ease.

Garrison Sullivan, 6, said he likes the courses because he gets to "learn a new language.”

When asked whether learning Chinese was hard, his eyebrows furrowed as he thought about a response.

"No,” Garrison said. "It’s easy.”

Learning Early, Career Advancement, Teacher Scarcity, Mandarin across the World

English Dethroned as World Language?
By Laura Robertson
CBN News Reporter
November 6, 2008

CBNNews.com - English is the most spoken language worldwide, but it might not be for long.

Millions are calling Mandarin Chinese the language of the future.

One group of pre-kindergarten students in Washington, D.C. take the same classes as thousands of other students nationwide.

CHINA CONNECTION:
Learning Chinese from the Comfort of Your Computer
The big difference? When the boys and girls at the at the Yu Ying Public Charter School finish eighth grade, they will be fluent in Mandarin Chinese as well as English.

"One day they're learning everything through English," Sarah Harris, the school's principal said. "One day they're learning everything in Chinese, so it's a very compelling model for a lot of parents."

Learning Early

Harris said there are many advantages to learning Chinese at an early age.

"Children really do soak up languages when they're young," she explained. "They don't have a lot of preconceived ideas about language, so they really come to it in an open way. We've seen children just soaking up the language and applying it in more and more contexts."

According to school founder Mary Shaffner, it's not just the students who want to learn Chinese.

"We are going to start Chinese classes for our parents, which many, many parents have been chomping at the bit for," she said.

With China's expanding global influence, millions are eager to learn the language. In 2004, only about five thousand U.S. students between kindergarten and twelfth grade took Chinese. Last year that number had grown to nearly 50,000.

Mandarin Worldwide

It's not just happening in the nation's capital. By 2010, it's estimated more than 100 million people worldwide will be studying Chinese as a second language.

Many are learning at one of the more than 200 Confucius Institutes established by the Chinese government. The Insitutes are now in 66 countries advancing the goal of spreading the Chinese language and culture.

In Manila at the Ateneo de Manila University, Director Dr. Ellen Palanca said she believes the popularity of these institutes is a sign of China's development.

"Once a country becomes more developed then it tries to promote its culture and language through such an arm," Palanca explained.

More than 2,000 students have gone through the program since it started two years ago.

Former student Pia Lim Castillo uses Chinese in her job as a food and travel writer. She said the learning experience helped her connect with her Chinese heritage.

"It's my identity. I have to find my identity, not only as a person, but the culture I belong to," he said.

Career Advancer

Many believe the ability to speak Chinese will advance their careers.

"I see value in being able to converse in Mandarin with Chinese clients," Attorney Kenneth Chua said. "Since more and more Chinese have been coming to the Philippines, I see more of a market for a lawyer who can speak Chinese."

Paula Leal, a reporter for Spanish News Agency in Manila attributes the growth of Chinese language learning to China's growing economic opportunities and global significance.

"It is the country of the future," she said. "Because of that it is so important to learn Chinese, because a lot of people are talking' Chinese right now."

Thirteen-year-old Pearl Parel started learning the language when she was just eight years old while on a business trip with her father in Taiwan.

"He didn't have an interpreter so he asked me if I could study so I could be his interpreter," she said.

She and many of her classmates at the Quezon City Christian Academy in Manila say that knowing Chinese will be essential after they graduate.

"Learning Chinese will help me in my future career, because my father wants me to be an interpreter and I want to learn more about Chinese culture," Parel said.

Fifteen-year old Ardenne Chuat agrees.

"Learning Chinese right now would be a good opportunity for applying for jobs here in the Philippines," Chuat explained.:China is now expanding and people would want to have employees who know how to speak the main language of China.

Teaching Mandarin

Half way around the world in Panama, one legislator even proposed mandating Mandarin Chinese in public schools. But Fermin Tomas Chan, head of theSun Yat-Sen School where all students study Chinese, doesn't think the legislation will pass.

"It's so hard to get teachers to teach Chinese outside of China," Chan said. "If you want to make it nationwide, it's going to be almost impossible to teach. We have problems with English in Panama. What about Chinese?"

Despite the difficulty finding qualified teachers, the school has a long wait list because so many Panamanians want to learn Chinese.

Chan and many of his colleagues say that "in 10 years, Mandarin will be as important worldwide as English."

Others doubt that Chinese speakers will outnumber English speakers any time soon.

Dr. Palanca said she believes Chinese could possibly replace English "in the far future, maybe 50 years from now."

But she admitted that it's more likely that Chinese "will most likely not replace English, but there's a possibility that it can be on par with the English language as an international language."

Whether or not Chinese does become the main international language, people worldwide are excited to learn.

New International Immersion School in Atlanta

East Point may soon boast the greatest proportion of multi-lingual youngsters in the Atlanta area, once the Little Linguists International Preschool opens in the south side city.

Jackie Ubiles, the school’s founder and business manager, told GlobalAtlanta it will offer Spanish, French and Mandarin Chinese classes to children under 6 years old when it opens Nov. 3.

It will operate as a full-time preschool, accepting infants as young as four weeks old. The school opens at 6:30 a.m. and will remain open until 6 p.m. to accommodate working parents.

Ms. Ubiles decided to open the school after she sent her 3-year-old to a traditional preschool and found he was reluctant to speak both English and Spanish, which her family uses at home, after school.

She added that studies show it is easier for people to learn different languages when they are very young, and some parents of the 20 children currently enrolled are happy to have a solid preschool option.

“I want my child to be multi-lingual, but the programs for children under the age of 3 are few and far between, especially full-time programs,” Ms. Ubiles said. “It’s hard just to have a quality preschool program, for many of our parents it’s an added plus that it’s multi-lingual.”

Secondary school was awarded for its outstanding work in languages including Chinese.

School is recognised for reaching across borders

24 October 2008
Miltoncross School in Portsmouth has received the International School Award at a high-profile ceremony in London, presented by broadcaster and journalist George Alagiah, pictured.
The secondary school was awarded for its outstanding work in bringing the world into the classroom though international projects.

Each tutor group is assigned a country and throughout the year undertake research on their country culminating in a school-wide competition and International Sports Day.

Other activities include work on music and art from other cultures, the International Food Club, Portsmouth Languages Festival, International Week, themed language days for French, German, Spanish and Mandarin, the Chinese Summer Fair and many trips overseas with aims linked to the curriculum.

Head teacher Niel McLeod said: 'We are very proud. We use our links with schools across the world to expand students' horizons. Our students quickly realise that their talents and skills have an appreciative audience not just in Miltoncross but across the world.'

Lacey-Mai Thornton, who's a pupil in Year 8, said: 'I came to this school because it's a language college and it's the only school in Portsmouth that does Chinese.'

The International School Award is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and managed by the British Council.

Troy School Experience Asia Project a huge success for children

Troy Messenger October 19 2008

Local students learn about Asian culture
By Jaine Treadwell (Contact) | Troy Messenger

Published Friday, September 19, 2008

Photo by Jaine Treadwell

Troy University student Zhao Wu Jun had students on the edge of their seats with a kung fu demonstration during the Experience Asia for Kids event.

Photo by Jaine Treadwell

Troy University students put on a dance with the dragon puppet during the Experience Asia for Kids event.
Disney World might imply that “It’s a Small World After All” but, for about 300 local fourth- and fifth-graders, it’s a big world and they got to experience it in a small way at “Experience Asia for Kids” on Thursday.

“Look at that fake lizard,” one boy said as the Japanese Dragon paraded on stage.

Students from Banks, Pike County, Troy and Luverne elementary schools participated in “Experience Asia for Kids,” which is a part of the ongoing “Experience Asia Festival” at Troy University Sept. 18-20.

“Experience Asia for Kids” included storytelling, a Kung Fu demonstration and a variety of arts activities but, perhaps, most importantly, it gave kids from South Alabama a chance to interact with international university students.

Deborah Davis, Troy University director of international student life, said the “Experience” was a win-win experience for both groups of students.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for our international students to interact with American students,” she said. “By working with young children, they learned more about what it’s like to be a part of life in America. Language is a big difference and they also had an opportunity to practice their English.

“As for the children, they learned a lot about the Asian culture. Experiences like this help us to learn to live together with respect. Everybody benefited from this experience. I don’t know what it will mean 20 years down the road but I would hope that it would help with international relations as our world becomes smaller every day.”

Dr. Maryjo Cochran, dean of the Troy University College of Communication and Fine Arts, said she was overwhelmed by the response of the fine arts and international students.

“We had about 50 volunteers who gave several hours of their time to ‘Experience Asia for Kids,’” Cochran said. “It was a wonderful experience for them. I think they had as much fun as the young students.”

Cochran said the collaboration between the international and Alabama students is a step in the right direction in Troy University’s international initiative.

Dawn Key, teacher at Pike County Elementary School, said “Experience Asia for Kids” was a unique experience for the students.

“This is the first time we have participate in an event like this and our students were very excited,” Key said. “And, I know they enjoyed it because they were so quiet during the storytelling. When students are quiet, you know they are listening and enjoying what they are hearing.”

Key said that, for many of the students, it was their first time interacting with international students.

“They recognized the students as Asian but they had never actually seen an Asian person,” she said. “This was a broadening experience for our students and they will benefit from it.”

The “Experience Asia Festival” will continue today with a performance by the Ronin Taiko Drummers at Troy Elementary School and with a public performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at the Claudia Crosby Theater.

Tickets are $5 for children and students and $10 for adults. Tickets will be available at the door.

The Ronin Taiko Drummers are back by popular demand and are sponsored by the Troy University College of Communication and Fine Arts and the Confucius Institute.

Troy University’s Confucius Institute is now officially operating in full gear after receiving new funding from China.

Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts Maryjo Cochran said this institute, which promotes the study of Chinese culture and language, was formally awarded in October 2007.

But, when the college received funding this October from the Chinese government, it became a fully operational institute with three new Chinese faculty members.

Iris Xu, who has worked in Canada for the past 20 years and was the director of a Confucius Institute, joined the university this September as the executive director of the institute in Troy.

The institute’s partner university, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology in China, also sent two other faculty members, Mr. Li and Mrs. Fan.

Li, who has expertise in art and design, will work with the art department as well as the Confucius Institute. Fan will teach Chinese and English.

Cochran said the faculty members from China are on a one-year contract from the partner school, and next year, they will either be renewed or replaced by different faculty from their institution.

“We provide housing and transportation, and their salaries are paid for by their university, so it’s not too expensive on either school,” Cochran said.

Cochran said she is not sure whether some Troy University faculty will be sent to teach in China in the future, but students will be able to participate in a Chinese immersion program overseas this summer.

The institute has already started its programs, by teaching Mandarin Chinese courses, and holding the Experience Asia project for local school children.

Cochran said the new faculty members have also started what they hope to be a weekly program for Chinese and American students to interact with one another.

“It’s where students meet informally and talk about Chinese issues and Chinese language,” Cochran said. “It’s a way for Chinese students to practice talking in English, and American students learning Chinese to practice talking in Chinese.”

Some of the institute’s plans for the future are to have programs for adopted children from China on Saturday mornings next spring.

“There is a large Asian population in Dothan of adopted Chinese children,” Cochran said. “It’s filling a need that has kind of been identified for us.”

Cochran said the institute, which is the only one in the state and the 25th in the country, will also reach out to Alabama to help integrate Chinese culture.

“One of the things we’re planning to do next year is to take 40 to 50 principals over to China to have them meet with Chinese educators,” Cochran said. “It’s a way to really open up the possibilities for international culture and Chinese exchange, not only for the students and faculty but for the business and general population of Alabama.”

Parents in Vancouver campaign for a Mandarin bi-lingual programme in the public school sector from September 2009

Teach our Kids Mandarin say the parents of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. They even have their own website www.mandarin for schools.org. Read about their efforts and plans.

THEIR VISION:
To give our children the gift of bilingualism through our public schools

In many parts of the world, multilingualism is the norm rather than the exception. For example, most children in Switzerland speak several languages. Despite BC’s broad multicultural makeup, there are very limited opportunities in the public school system for second language learning at the elementary school level. Although French Immersion is available, it is in high demand and there are waiting lists. It is our vision to bring formal teaching of other second languages in addition to French to the forefront of our public education system.

http://mandarinforbcschools.org

http://www.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=e37dc335-0135-...

Mandarin Chinese for young children does not show on No Child left Behind reports

Are we leaving any students behind?
Educators say federal mandates needs revisions

By Jessica Jordan
jjordan@gainesvilletimes.com

POSTED Sept. 7, 2008 12:30 a.m.

Excerpt reads:

Teachers' creativity and gifted students left behind?
May (principal of Chestnut Mountain Elementary) also said the federal mandate has changed the way schools operate in recent years. She said while teachers are taking a more professional instructional approach under the law, it's also stifling their creative freedom in the classroom in favor of high-stakes testing.

"There used to be more of a focus on the art of teaching, now it's more of a focus on the science of teaching," she said.

While Hall County educators said the school system focuses on the whole student, including character development and academic rigor, as well as on a student passing the CRCT or the Georgia High School Graduation Test, Schofield said there's still a group of students nationwide who aren't getting the attention they deserve in the classroom: "the run of the mill" and gifted students.

"I think it's going to be a huge mistake in all kinds of issues, the most fundamental being the very competitiveness of the United States as a nation," Schofield said. "The children that sit in our classrooms could cure cancer ... and are the very children that aren't getting very much attention."

Schofield said he's concerned No Child Left Behind's emphasis on test scores has encouraged school systems nationwide to forsake class time in foreign language, communication skills and technology, all skills he considers vital for students to compete in the 21st century workplace.

"We can offer Mandarin Chinese ... for little children. It won't show up on a No Child Left Behind report ... and quite honestly, that's the reason why a lot of districts have abandoned and not gone down those roads," Schofield said.

Lee Hsien Loong and Lim Swee call for more Mandarin for children as China rises

CHINESE Singaporeans already have a strong bilingual foundation but need to motivate themselves to take their mother tongue to a higher level, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Swee Say yesterday.
Citing himself as an example, Mr Lim said he was inspired to brush up on his Mandarin only after his first trip to China in 1984, even though he had been educated in the Chinese stream for 12 years.

'I was very impressed and fascinated by how they strung their sentences and explained the most complicated ideas using the simplest of words,' said Mr Lim, who is also secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress.

While the younger generation is now schooled in English and Mandarin, Mr Lim urged them to go beyond the 'market way' of speaking the languages.

He said: 'It's not just the language we speak but we should also understand the culture and mindset behind it.'

His comments came on the back of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's call to all Singaporeans on Saturday to remain bilingual and bi-cultural so they are not caught flat-footed by the rise of China.

Half of all Chinese Singaporean children now speak English at home, making it difficult for Chinese teachers here to stimulate their interest in the subject.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a community event in Holland Close, Mr Lim admitted that English was still the lingua franca in his home.

But his wife hired a tutor to improve her mother tongue and can now read articles in Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao.

As for his daughter and son - an overseas undergraduate and a Hwa Chong Institution student, respectively - Mr Lim hopes annual trips in the past five years to China will pay off one day.

'I can only encourage and create the opportunities but they themselves have to discover that source of inspiration and motivation.'