We are pleased to release the latest video in our TEQ series: Yan Wang's Grades 3-4 Novice-Mid Chinese Class — 'I Also Like Vegetables.'

This video presents a set of well-connected activities that guide the students step by step to learn a new sentence. It's a good example of how teachers can organize basic instruction effectively to maximize learning.

You can always access the TEQ library, day or night, on our website. Learn more »

Yingling Hsu is a Chinese language teacher at Boston Renaissance Charter Public School, a member of Asia Society’s Confucius Classrooms Network. She recently wrote about how her school’s innovative Chinese immersion program is helping all its students understand the world. Read below for a preview and read the entire article on The 74 »

"Their educations often hamstrung by their zip codes, generations of urban kids in places like the Boston neighborhood where I teach graduate from public high schools having passed conventional subjects like math and English, but lacking an awareness and appreciation of other languages and societies that would surely enhance their chances of success. 

"For almost a decade, Boston Renaissance Charter Public School, where I’ve taught since 2014, has taken a different approach. Located in a transformed mill building, Boston Renaissance educates 900 children from neighborhoods citywide. Many have rarely traveled outside the city, let alone visited the other side of the planet. But, starting in pre-kindergarten, every one of them learns Mandarin Chinese through a unique, internationally recognized program that also immerses them in Chinese culture." Read on »

Photo: Shaumba, a Boston Renaissance Charter Public School fifth-grader, translates the Gabby Douglas tribute poster she made in Chinese. (Boston Renaissance Charter Public School)

We hope you are having a wonderful summer. CELIN has been very busy, which has produced fruitful results. One of these is another CELIN Brief focused on developing teacher leaders, a huge need that has emerged in recent years. The other is our collaboration with the Confucius Institute at Michigan State University (CI-MSU). Under the leadership of the CI-MSU, a high-level educator forum on Chinese immersion education in Michigan was held on August 13, followed by a day-long intensive workshop for Chinese language and immersion teachers. Both events were well attended and are described below.

CELIN Briefs 

As the Chinese language field moves beyond initial establishment and growth stages, administrators and teacher leaders are needed to address the specific needs of Chinese language, literacy, and culture programs. The latest CELIN Brief outlines the types of leaders required, seven principles of culturally responsive leadership, and the essential elements of an effective Chinese education leader development program.

Cultivating Teacher Leaders to Advance the Field of Chinese Language and Culture Education
By Robin Harvey (Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University) and Duarte Silva (Executive Director, California World Language Project, Stanford University)

These CELIN Briefs have also been published recently: 

• Key Features of Effective Chinese Language Programs: A CELIN Checklist  
• Learning Chinese in the Digital Age 
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Elementary Chinese and Immersion Programs 
• Parents as Partners in Their Children’s Chinese Immersion Education: Making Decisions and Providing Support

An Educator Forum and Workshop on Chinese Immersion Education, Held in Michigan

On August 13, the Confucius Institute at Michigan State University (CI-MSU), MSU’s Asian Studies Center, and CELIN collaborated on an all-day forum on Chinese Language Immersion Education. In addition to presentations by national experts and local leaders, administrators in three school districts showcased their Chinese immersion programs. The ensuing roundtable discussions resulted in productive information sharing and networking opportunities. The workshop for teachers on Building Bridges for Developing Students’ Biliteracy and Selecting and Applying the Right Digital Tools the following day was embraced by Chinese language and immersion teachers. In addition to listening to presentations from experienced experts, teachers engaged in hands-on activities that could be immediately applied in their classrooms. Check out the flyers and PowerPoint slides of these presentations. 

Find Chinese Language Programs for Students and Teachers

CELIN continues to collect information about Chinese programs for students and for prospective teachers. It only takes a few minutes to provide information about programs you are involved with or know about.

To submit information about student programs: Please search for program information, or submit or update your program information.

We have collected information about more than 40 programs, including STARTALK programs. To submit information about teacher programs: Please complete our Teacher Program survey.

Global Seal of Biliteracy: Launching in January of 2019, this credential will for the first time allow anyone—whether their language was learned in a classroom, at home, or through other experiences—to earn a Seal of Biliteracy. Locally driven State Seal of Biliteracy initiatives have been adopted in 33 states and the District of Columbia to date, but they are generally available only to public school students in participating districts, and the standards for receiving it vary by state. The Global Seal of Biliteracy closes that gap with a consistent, inclusive and accessible solution. Learn more »

NCLC 2019: Please save the date for next year's National Chinese Language Conference (NCLC), which will be hosted in San Diego, California May 9–11, 2019. We look forward to having you join us! NCLC provides a high-profile platform for sharing new ideas and best practices in the fields of Chinese language teaching and learning, Chinese arts and culture, and U.S.–China educational exchange. ​