Heritage Language Programs - Chinese
Columbus Chinese Academy
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Address: P.O. Box 82244, Columbus, OH 43202
Telephone: (614) 792-5825
Fax: (614) 458-3583
Web address: www.ohcca.org
Contact: Ying-Liang Chou, Principal
Email: chouyl@battelle.org
Languages/dialects taught: Mandarin and Taiwanese
Program Description
Purposes and goals of the program:
• Offer Chinese language and cultural classes for children from 3 to 18 years old
Type of program: Saturday academy
Program origin: The program was founded in 1973.
Parents’ expectations for the program:
• Children will learn Chinese
Instructors’ and administration’s expectations for the program: Staff are parents who are unpaid volunteers helping the children learn Chinese
Students
Countries of origin: Most students (or their parents) are from Taiwan
Total student enrollment: 230
Age of students: 3-18
How the program determines the language background and language proficiency of students: Oral interviews
Percentage of students who complete the program: 90%
Percentage of students who continue to study the heritage language after completing the program: 50%
Possible reasons for student withdrawal:
• Busy weekend schedules
Students’ attitudes toward the language varieties they speak: Students are proud that they can speak Chinese.
Instructors
Number of instructors in the program: 40
Languages in which instructors are proficient: Mandarin
Proficiency level: Native speakers
Credentials: Instructors are parent volunteers.
Professional development opportunities for instructors:
• Overseas Chinese Teachers Conferences, sponsored by Taiwanese Cultural Center
• Alternative Teacher Licensure Training Program, Ohio State University
Professional development opportunities instructors need:
• Local conferences
Comments: Almost all teachers are mothers of the students.
Instruction
Total contact hours per week: 3 hours
Times per week: 1
Student grouping: Students are grouped by grade-level
Language skills
Skills developed by the program: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Mandarin
Levels of language proficiency reached by the end of the program: Students become proficient listeners, speakers, readers, and writers of Mandarin.
Culture
Aspects of culture taught:
• Arts and crafts
• Songs and dances
• Rhymes
• Chinese yo-yo
• Kung-Fu
• Tai-Chi
Kind of student identity fostered by program: The program develops children who cherish their Chinese heritage and speak, read, and write Chinese.
Methodologies
Methodologies and instructional strategies used in the program: Various
Materials
Textbooks: Texts are provided by the Taiwanese government’s Overseas Council
Other materials used for instruction: Trade books
Technology used for instruction:
• Overhead projectors
• PCs and LCD projectors
Assessment
Assessments used to evaluate students’ progress:
• Chapter tests
• Midterm exams
• Final exams
• Teacher’s observations
• Task-based assessments
Articulation
How the program promotes parent involvement: Parents frequently volunteer for school functions. All staff members and almost all teachers are parents.
Opportunities for using the heritage language and developing cultural knowledge outside the program:
• Students talk to their parent and grandparents in Chinese
• Many students used what they learn at the Academy to earn credits in college.
What the program has in place
Types of financial support the program receives:
• Support from government of Taiwan
• Student tuition
• Additional support from parents
• Support from local community organizations
Types of support the program receives from these or other entities:
• Fundraising events managed by staff
• School activities run by parent volunteers
Solicitation of funding: Staff members solicit funding and other support.
Comments: Program is looking for a permanent location.
Special challenges
Challenges the program has experienced:
• Lack of permanent location
• High dropout rate for older students
• Finding qualified teachers
