k12mandarin.org

Archive for May, 2009

  • May 2009
  • 14

Student Assessments in Chinese Classrooms

The second interesting session that I attended at NCLC 2009 was Martha Abbott and Jun Liu’s session on “Student Learning Outcomes: How to Benchmark Student Progress” (Click Here to view Powerpoint). The presenters spoke about strategies to “acquire measurable benchmark for documenting student progress on the language learning continuum” (National Chinese Language Conference 2009 Program Book). Ms. Abbott detailed the ACTFL K-12 Performance Guidelines and Mr. Liu outlined the basics of the Hanban Learning Standards that assesses Chinese language profiency for speakers of other languages.

What I found the most interesting is the continued effort for foreign language educators ...

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  • May 2009
  • 11

Learn Chinese Online: Using 21st Century Tools

A week and a half ago at the National Chinese Language Conference, I had the pleasure of attending Mr. Bobby Hobgood’s (Director of Research and Development at UNC) session on Language Learning Through Technology: Tools for Chinese Language Learning. Click Here to view his powerpoint presentation.

It was reassuring to know that what Better Chinese already offers in its K-12 Chinese online curriculum matches with what universities around the nation are doing at the college level. Read online reviews here. Mr. Hobgood talked about his students’ access to online voice recording functions, podcast downloads, and dialogue-based, communication-driven Chinese learning ...

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  • May 2009
  • 7

Kids Otter Read Day

We are happy to announce that Better Chinese’s very own children’s author Clarissa Yu Shen will be participating in Kids Otter Read Day, where 13 independent bookstores around the San Francisco Bay Area will each have different local children’s authors and illustrators make appearances between 1pm-3pm on Saturday, May 16th! This event is being sponsored by the Northern California Children’s Booksellers Association (NCCBA).

Check out your local bookstore! Participating booksellers include: Books Inc., Book Passage, Clayton Books, Copperfield’s Books, Cover to Cover, Hicklebees, Laurel Bookstore, Linden Tree, The Storyteller, and Towne Center Books

Meet and get your book signed by ...

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  • May 2009
  • 5

Kids Otter Read Day

May 16, 2009

The Northern California Children’s Booksellers Association (NCCBA) presents:

KIDS OTTER READ DAY AROUND THE BAY

We are happy to announce that Better Chinese’s very own children’s author Clarissa Yu Shen will be participating in Kids Otter Read Day, where 13 independent bookstores around the San Francisco Bay Area will each have different local children’s authors and illustrators make appearances between 1pm-3pm on Saturday, May 16th!

Check out your local bookstore! Participating booksellers include: Books Inc., Book Passage, Clayton Books, Copperfield’s Books, Cover to Cover, Hicklebees, Laurel Bookstore, Linden Tree, The Storyteller, and Towne Center Books

Meet and get ...

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  • May 2009
  • 4

CLTA-GNY

May 16, 2009

Chinese Language Teachers Association of Greater New York

CLTA-GNY 2009 Annual Conference and 7th New York International Conference on the Teaching of Chinese

Chinese as a World Language: New approaches, new technologies, opportunities, and challenges

Saturday May 16th

Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

Please stop by the Better Chinese Exhibit to see how we can help you implement an engaging and successful Chinese program that will excite your students about learning Chinese!

  • May 2009
  • 4

Documentary on SFUSD Immersion Progams (Mandarin included): “Speaking in Tongues”

A new documentary featured in the San Francisco International Film Festival this year called “Speaking in Tongues— 4 kids, 4 languages, 1 city, 1 world” has been generating quite a buzz among the community.  As indicated by the title, the film chronicles the experiences of 4 San Francisco Unified School District students in their respective language immersion programs, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin, through a school year.

The film looks at the students’ personal experiences as well as their ability to build relationships using their second language.  As described by Francisca Sanchez, Associate Superintendent of Academics and Professional Development SFUSD, “Watch the ...

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  • Feb 2009
  • 26

Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers

May 21, 2009toMay 23, 2009

Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Offers direct support and provides a professional networking community to second language educators. The conference encourages participants to come and discuss as well as learn on topics of interest to all language educators, specifically targeting the teaching of Spanish, German, Ukrainian, Chinese, Japanese, First Nations Languages, French, English and many more additional languages. The conference will welcome delegates, publishers, exhibitors, educators and dignitaries from across Canada and from around the world.

Visit the Better Chinese Exhibit to fulfill all your Chinese teaching and learning ...

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  • Feb 2009
  • 26

National Chinese Language Conference

April 30, 2009toMay 2, 2009

2009 National Chinese Language Conference

Chicago, IL at Marriot Magnificent Mile

Join leaders from across K–16 education to share best practices, build partnerships, and advance the field of Chinese language and culture education.

The College Board and Asia Society are pleased to co-organize the second National Chinese Language Conference. Building upon the success of the 2008 conference, this year’s meeting will continue to expand support for Chinese education and to promote global understanding and skills among U.S. students. The 2009 National Chinese Language Conference will be hosted by Chicago Public Schools—the largest Chinese ...

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