Heritage Language Programs - Chinese
Chinese School of Southern Westchester (CSSW)
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Address: P.O. Box 278 Scarsdale, NY 10530
Telephone: (914) 698-2363
Web address: http://www.csswny.org
Contact person
Name: F.J. Chu
Title: Principal
Email: sagecapital@attglobal.net
Languages/dialects taught: Mandarin Chinese
What grades are included in the program: PreK-12th grade and adults
Program Description
Purposes and goals of the program: Promotes the teaching of Chinese language and arts and the understanding of Chinese culture and traditions
Type of program: Heritage, Saturday academy, culture courses, and adult education.
Program origin: 1981
Students:
• First-generation immigrants: 50%
• Children of interethnic marriages: 30%
• Children of interethnic adoptions: 10%
• Non-ethnic background: 10%
Total student enrollment: Approximately 250
Percentage of students who complete the program: 75%
Percentage of students who continue to study the heritage language after completing the program: 75%
Instructors
Number of instructors in the program: Approximately 20
Languages in which instructors are proficient: Mandarin, Cantonese, and Taiwanese
Credentials: BA, MA, and PhD
Instruction
Total hours per week: 3 hours per week. Two hours of classroom instruction are devoted to Chinese language and the third hour is reserved for participation in Chinese culture.
Times per week: Once per week
Language skills
Skills developed by the program: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Culture
Aspects of culture taught: Geography, philosophy, history, festivals, customs, folktales, arts and crafts, dances, brush painting, calligraphy, chess, kung fu, Chinese harp songs, rhymes, social and cultural norms
Methodologies
Methodologies and instructional strategies used in the program: Classroom instruction is reinforced by homework assignments and the use of other teaching aids during the school week. In addition to the formal activities within CSSW, students are encouraged to participate in music lessons and arts performances, as well as public speaking and essay competitions involving other schools and organizations.
Assessment
Assessments used to evaluate students’ progress: Weekly quizzes, mid-term and final tests, teacher’s observations and performance based-tests. Classroom instructions are reinforced by homework assignments.
Articulation
How the program develops home/school connections or promotes parent involvement: Parents and other adults participate in the basic culture classes. There are also adults only classes in Chinese language and other subjects. Seminars are regularly provided on topics of special interest to CSSW parents.
What the program has in place
Financial support the program receives: The program receives financial support from private and nonprofit organizations.
