Chinese Cultural and Educational Association
Chinese Language School
Classes
Classes are held on Saturday afternoons. Please note: Dance and art classes will not resume until students and teachers can safely return for in-person instruction.
Chinese classes
Pre-school 1:00~2:00pm Textbook: None
The teacher will use various teaching materials and methods to introduce words, short sentences, stories, and songs. Students will learn about addressing family members and relatives, daily etiquette, body parts, colors, the sun, moon and stars, daily use items, animals, four major festivals in Chinese cultures, and food.
Beginner 1:30~3:55pm Textbook: Let's learn Chinese - Book K1
There are two main teaching goals in this class: Using Mandarin phonetic symbols to learn correct pronunciation and learning the order of strokes as a foundation for writing. The teacher will use games to help students learn in a fun way.
Students will also learn Chinese nursery rhymes and songs. Class will include role playing activities so that students can practice using Chinese in daily life. Brush pens will be used to practice writing in class. They can learn the elements of writing such as character structure, order of strokes, and how to write characters beautifully.
1st grade 1:30~3:55pm Textbook: Let's learn Chinese - Book K2
The lessons will be real life situations. We will strengthen their phonetics, reviewing and focusing on students’ pronunciation accuracy. In addition, we will do simple phrase use and sentence construction, recognizing Chinese radicals, and practicing basic Chinese character stroke order.
In order to help students learn, speak, understand, and use Chinese, we will use a mixture of pictures, cards, Chinese songs, playing games, and show and tell activities to keep students engaged and motivated.
2nd grade 1:30~3:55pm Textbook: Let's learn Chinese - Book 1
Learning objectives for the second grade class:
I. Listening / Speaking
1. Conversations of greeting and self-introduction
2. Sentences used in daily life and following instructions
II. Reading
1. Reviewing Chinese pronunciation and phonetic symbols
2. Capable of recognizing characters and phrases that we learn from the book
3. Comprehending and understanding the text in Let’s Learn Chinese Book 1
III. Writing Chinese characters
1. Reviewing basic strokes and the order of strokes
2. Capable of writing characters and using them to make phrases and simple sentences
3rd grade 1:30~3:55pm Textbook: Let's Learn Chinese - Book K2 Vol. B & Book 1 Vol. B
The lessons are applicable to daily life. Lessons are centered around daily conversation. We will strengthen and focus on the students’ pronunciation accuracy, phrase use, and sentence construction. Students will work to master listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. In order to help students learn, speak, understand, and use Chinese, we will use a mixture of activities like pictures, flashcards, Chinese songs, games, and presentations to keep students engaged and motivated.
Intermediate I 1:30~3:55pm Textbook: Let's learn Chinese - Book 3
The objective for the Intermediate I class will be focused on the students’ pronunciation, phrase use and daily conversations.
“Let’s Learn Chinese - Book 3” includes 200 vocabulary words and 50 sentence structures. The topics are entertainment, holiday events, and joint activities. Interactive in-class games and multimedia will help students to learn in an easy way and be motivated to learn the Chinese language. Let's get ready to start a fun year.
Intermediate II 1:30~3:55pm Textbook: Let's learn Chinese - Book 4
The objective for the Intermediate II class is to have students progress in all aspects of the Chinese language, which includes basic four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The topics are based on “Let’s Learn Chinese - Book 4B and Book 5” including school life, daily routines, Chinese culture, literature, and more. These textbooks are designed under the guideline of student-centered teaching strategies. Our school will provide students hard copy textbooks; students will be able to view digital versions as well. By the end of the year, students will be able to express themselves in ways such as: explaining interest in things; comparing of Western and Eastern festival traditions, such as pumpkin pie and moon cake; comparing difficulty levels of different subjects; using “yi bian---yi bian--” to describe simultaneously doing two things; using “cha yi dian” (“almost”) to describe possibility of situations; offering suggestions, and much more.
Advanced I 1:30~3:55pm Textbook: Let's learn Chinese - Book 5 Volume B & Book 6
The objective for Advance I is for students to acquire proficiency in communicating effectively in Chinese based on Intermediate II language skills students have achieved.
The topics include "Basketball," "Talent shows," Healthy food," "Animal protection, "Asking for directions," Five continents," and so on. The cultural topics include "Pen," "Paper, "Compare Christmas and moon festival," "Get to know Taiwan," and much more.
Language skills include: recounting, talking about travel, confirming, explaining, comparing, informing, and much more.
Advanced II 1:30~3:55pm Textbook: Let's learn Chinese Book 6
The objective of Advance II is for students to acquire proficiency in communicating effectively in Chinese. Students will have opportunities to use real-life situations to comprehend both spoken and written Chinese within given contexts, speak on various topics, and write with clear structure and themes. It will equip students with interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication that focus on everyday life and cross-cultural comparisons. The class is also designed to introduce students to standardized testing content.
Adult 1:30~3:40pm Textbook: None
The class uses theme-based learning and teaching. Each month, the instructor will pick one topic and discuss it with the entire class via Google Meet. Class discussion is crucial and the after-school practice is the second step of learning. The students are also encouraged to share with the class any other topics which might be interesting to them. The class lasts 2 hours and a 10-minute break will be provided as well.
Extracurricular classes
Chinese Dance - Beginner 4:00~5:00 pm Teacher: Nan Zhang
The emphasis of Beginner Dance Class is on building solid foundation for dancing. Dance movements are choreographed to lively Chinese children’s songs so that each beginner has fun while receiving individual attentions and learning unique techniques for Chinese dances.
Chinese Dance - Intermediate Teacher: Nan Zhang
Class cancelled.
Chinese Dance - Advanced 5:00~6:30 pm Teacher: Nan Zhang
The music and movements are further complicated and intertwined in Advanced Class. By the time the students enter the Advanced Class, they are well versed with the cultural backgrounds of Chinese folk tribes. They have learned to appreciate music of different “beat”. Classical dances traditionally performed at the court are included in the repertoire, such as Traditional Fan Dance.
Chinese Dance - Adult 2:20~3:50 pm Teacher: Nan Zhang
No previous dance experience required. The first half of class will focus on fundamental dance movements, and the second half will focus on learning a choreographed dance.
Chinese Painting 4:00~5:00 pm* Teacher: Lydia Hwang
Students receive individual instructions to learn to paint subjects such as flowers, landscape, vegetables, small animals, insects, fish by their level. (For class syllabus and supply list, please click HERE.) *Class schedule is flexible.
Art class 4:10~5:10 pm Teacher: Chiani Hsu
In this year’s art class, we are going to learn to sketch by using pencils and quick sketching. Starting from still objects, students will learn the effect of light -- highlights and shadows on the object. After grasping the basic techniques, students will learn the method of quick sketching and will be able to draw whatever they see.
Chinese Music - Beginner 2:30~4:00 pm Teacher: Kerry Leung
Students learn basic Erhu techniques and play ensemble pieces.
Chinese Music - Intermediate 2:30~4:00 pm Teacher: Kerry Leung
Erhu performance techniques and solo pieces are taught in this class.