Heritage Language Programs - Chinese
Cleveland Contemporary Chinese School
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Address: Chinese Culture Association: 28950 Naylor Dr.
Solon, OH 44139
Solon High School, where the school is located: 33600 Inwood Drive
Web address: http://www.cccca.org
Contact person:
Name: Liming Wang
Title: Principal
Email: liming36460@yahoo.com
Telephone: (440) 519-8895
Levels: Pre-K/K to adults
Languages/dialects taught: Standard Mandarin Chinese
Program Description
Purposes and goals of the program: Teaching Chinese language and culture in order to promote cultural exchange between American and Chinese people
Type of program: Bilingual; Foreign language; Saturday academy (Meets every Saturday from 2-5 p.m.)
Program origin: The program was founded in March 1995 by a group of concerned parents who were new immigrants from China.
Parents
Parents’ expectations for the program: That students will maintain and learn the language and culture, and the program will be a good place to participate in local Chinese community activities.
Staff
Instructors’ and administration’s expectations for the program: Students will maintain the language and culture. The program will be a good place for local Chinese community activities.
Students
• First-generation immigrants, 20%
• Second-generation immigrants, 60%
• Third-generation immigrants, less than 5%
• Children of interethnic marriages, 5-10%
• Children of interethnic adoption, 5%
• Non-ethnic background, 5%
Countries of origin: Varies
Total student enrollment: Approximately 400
How the program identifies heritage speakers: Teachers and administrators determine who is a heritage speaker by talking with the students enrolled in the program and their parents.
How the program determines the language background and language proficiency of students: Ask every new student who enrolls using a home language survey and oral interview
Possible reasons for student withdrawal: The combination of Chinese school and mainstream school is too much for them to keep up with their high school studies.
Instructors
Number of instructors in the program: Over 60
Languages in which instructors are proficient: Chinese, English
Proficiency level: Varies
Credentials:
• Teacher certification in foreign language for Ohio
• B.A. – Many different areas
• M.A. – Many different areas
• Doctorate – Many different areas
• Medical school
Professional development opportunities instructors need: Teaching certificate or license in Ohio
Instruction
Total contact hours per week: 3 hours (more than 100 hours per year)
Times per week: Once
Student grouping: Age and Chinese level
Hours devoted to language teaching: Two hours
Hours devoted to culture teaching: One hour
Language skills
Heritage language skills:
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing
• Listening
English skills:
• Speaking
• Listening
Culture
Aspects of culture taught:
• Geography
• History
• Festivals
• Customs
• Traditions/Beliefs
• Folktales
• Arts and crafts
• Dances
• Social and cultural norms
• Cultural appropriateness
• Literature
Kind of student identity program fosters: Multicultural; Leadership building
Additional comments: The school also organizes culture and art shows from China’s visiting troupes.
Materials
Textbooks: Zhong-Wen (Chinese) volumes 1 to 12, using Pin-yin system and standard Chinese
Assessment
Assessments used to evaluate students’ progress:
• Weekly quizzes
• Chapter tests
• Mid-term tests
• Final exams
• Standardized test: AP Chinese
• Student self-assessment
• Teacher’s observations
• Performance-based tasks or assessment
• Portfolios
Articulation
Connections with other institutions: None
Credit or recognition students receive: High school credit
How the program develops home/school connections or promotes parent involvement: Parent Teacher Association
Opportunities for using the heritage language and developing cultural knowledge outside the program: Visit China; Talk to both U.S. and Chinese business personnel
What the program has in place
Financial support the program receives:
• Parents
• Others
Other support the program receives: Donations from local donors, businesses, and individuals
Assistance or funding the program would like to receive: Community and local government support
Program research or evaluation: Planned by doctoral candidate for education study
Special challenges
Challenges the program has experienced: Funding
