Heritage Language Programs - Chinese
Los Angeles Chinese Learning Center
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Address: 401 N. Garfield Ave., Alhambra, CA 91801
Telephone: (626) 487-8909
Fax: (626) 282-9252
Web address: http://www.chinese-school.netfirms.com
Contact person:
Name: Samuel Chong
Title: Director
Email: chineselanguagetutor@yahoo.com
Languages/dialects taught: Mandarin, Cantonese
Program Description
Purposes and goals of the program: The purpose of the program is to educate students so they can function professionally in English and Chinese. Courses are customized to specific students’ needs, and vocabulary lessons are tailored so that students can become familiar with basic business conversation.
Type of program: California court certified interpreters program, full immersion program, foreign language program, after-school program, and Saturday academy
Program origin: Founded in 2001
Staff
Instructors’ and administration’s expectations for the program: Instructors’ expectations include helping the students to learn Chinese language and culture, and to teach certain students the ability to translate and interpret professionally.
Students
Students:
• First-generation immigrants, 10%
• Second-generation immigrants, 20%
• Non-ethnic background, 70%
Countries of origin: United States, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong
How the program identifies heritage speakers: The program is open for everyone and anyone who wants to learn Chinese.
How the program determines the language background and language proficiency of students: Oral interviews are sufficient to determine the language skills of prospective students.
Percentage of students who complete the program: 80%
Possible reasons for student withdrawal: Financial conditions or change of work
Students’ attitudes toward the language varieties they speak: Students are very proud of the languages they are learning.
Students expectations of the program: Students expect to be able
to understand predictable basic questions and commands on familiar
topics, interact orally on familiar topics including business negotiation
and travel, use language for personal communications needs, ask
and answer questions and request clarification as needed, handle
simple phone conversation in Chinese, handle simple communication
in Chinese for business trips, learn common phrases within their
field, handle business negotiations in Chinese, and demonstrate
familiarity with selected aspects of Chinese cultures.
Instructors
Number of instructors in the program: 12 instructors
Languages in which instructors are proficient: Chinese, Mandarin, Cantonese
Proficiency level: Native speakers
Credentials: 30% of our instructors hold a B.A. or an M.A. in Education and Chinese
Additional Comments: Instructors have a diverse background; they come from Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipei. Some have worked at state corporations in China; others have worked in the private sector. However, one common trait is that they all understand "Guanxi,” that is, trusted business relations in a network of friends and business associates in China.
Instruction
Total contact hours per week: 3 hours per week
Times per week: 1 or 2 times per week
Student grouping: By proficiency levels
Percentage devoted to language and culture teaching: 100%
Language skills
Heritage language skills: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing
English skills: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Levels of language proficiency reached by the end of the program: This depends on the student’s involvement and motivation.
Culture
Aspects of culture taught: Geography, history, festivals, customs, folktales, traditions/beliefs, religion, social and cultural norms, cultural appropriateness, and literature
Methodologies
Methodologies and instructional strategies used in the program: Instruction is a blend of activities and direct language lessons.
Materials
Textbooks: The textbook used varies from year to year, instructor
to instructor, and by levels. Here is a list of textbooks used
for Mandarin Chinese, which can be purchased from the Web site.
• My Chinese Classroom: Conversations for daily life, traveling,
and business
• Conversational Chinese 301
• Easy Way to Learn Chinese Characters
Assessment
Assessments used to evaluate students’ progress: Chapter tests, mid-term tests, and final exams
Articulation
Opportunities students have for using the language and developing cultural knowledge outside the program: The program offers a wide variety of services, which are all listed on the Web site. One of the services provided is a home-stay program in Beijing.
What the program has in place
Financial support the program receives: Tuition from students
