An Integrated Computer-Assisted Language Learning Environment for Different Background Students at an Oversea Weekend Ch

1. An Integrated Computer-Assisted Language Learning Environment for Different Background Students at an Oversea Weekend Chinese School 劉景秋 Jing-Chiou Liou Deaprtment of Computer Science Kean University 黃清郁 Ching-Yu (Austin) Huang Center for Pharmacogenomics and Complex Disease Research New Jersey Dental School, UMDNJ

2. Heritage Chinese Schools in US • Two systems • 正體字Traditional Characters • 簡體字Simplified Characters • Student population • Parents are from Taiwan • Parents are from China • Parents are Oversea Chinese • Parents are not oversea Chinese

3. Heritage Chinese Schools in US (cont.) • Operation model • Weekend schedule • Run by students’ parents • 中文學校 Heritage Chinese schools in New Jersey, US • Over 128,000 Chinese population in New Jersey by 2008 • Student population varies from dozens to four hundred • Tuition and fee ranging US$300 - $400 per year • Voluntary school officials

4. Trend of Chinese Education in US • Chinese classes in K-12 school districts: • 中文雙語班Chinese as Second Language (CSL) • 中文課程Mandarin in world languages in English school • SAT-II Chinese • AP-Chinese test • 發音Pronunciation • 注音符號Zhu-yin • 漢語拼音Han-yu • Teaching resources: • 師資Lack of certified teachers

5. Challenges For Weekend Chinese Schools • 資源Resources restrictions • Increased operation cost • 營運Unstable policy and teaching methodology • Frequently changing school officers • Textbooks adoption • 雙軌Dual tracks issue • Decreased student population in regular track • Increased CSL population • 師資Difficulty in recruiting CSL teachers • CSL teachers require both Chinese and English skills

6. CSL Program in Chinese Schools • 中文雙語班 CSL Program becomes popular in the past 5 years. • 學生來源 Sources of CSL students • A Mandarin -speaking Chinese family • A non- Mandarin -speaking Chinese family • A second generation Chinese family • Adopted Chinese child in non-Chinese family • A non-Chinese family

7. Challenges For the CSL Program • 師資變動Frequent changes of teachers and staff increase the difficulty to maintain a stable CSL program. • 學生程度A CSL class usually consists of students of different ages and a wide range of Chinese skill levels. • 家長預期心態Various expectations from students’ parents in CSL program.

8. Conventional Language Learning Methodologies • 傳統教室Face-to-face classroom • 錄音帶Electronic audio recording devices (audio tape) • 錄影帶Electronic video recording devices (video tape) • 視聽教室Audio/video classroom • CD/DVD • 電腦Computer • 網路The Internet

9. Issues on Conventional Language Learning Methodologies • 無邊界學習 Classroom instruction does not support an offline language learning, especially for pronunciation. • 互動教學Interactive learning in a classroom does not appear in those electronic methodologies. • 趣味學習It is difficult, bored and unefficient to have young children to study a new language alone.

10. Integrated Computer-Aided Language Leanring Environment • 兼而有之Take the advantages from both the classroom instruction and modern techlogies. • 多元化學習 Can integrate different forms of teaching materials seamlessly. • 無邊界學習 Students can review those teaching materials beyond the classroom and class hours

11. ICALLE – Basic Configuration • 手提電腦 Laptop computer • The multimedia center stores files and provides A/V effects. • 投影機 Portable projector • 800x600 resolution • 擴音喇叭 Amplified computer speakers • Capable of delivering adequate volume. • 學校網站 A school web site that provides all teaching materials online.

12. ICALLE – Enhanced Configuration • Equipments from the basic configuration. • 網路 The Internet connection • Landline or Wi-Fi • 多媒體無邊界學習Teacher can go beyond the teaching materials available within the classroom. • 網路教材Some materials are available online but cannot be converted and stored in a computer. • 電子書(僑委會)Many Oversea Chinese Affair Commission (OCAC) online E-books.

13. ICALLE – Advanced Configuration • 整合學習環境Capable of offering webcasting, podcasting, and collabrating learning environment. • 語言電腦教室 A computerized classroom • Computers for both instructor and students • Network connection and a server • 互動環境 Interactive environment • 隨時隨地Students can view any time the lecture notes that are on the server. • 線上問答Students can enter any questions while viewing the lecture, notes the teacher will receive an notice when such event occures.

14. Case Study – Fidelity Chinese School (FCS) • A non-profit organization founded in Marlboro, New Jersey, in 1994. http://www.njfcs.org/ • Objectives: Teaching and promoting Chinese language and cultures. • 家長參與 Many enthusiastic parents have joined in teaching and/or becoming administrative staff. • Participated in many community events • 國樂團 Chinese orchestra • 扯鈴 Strong Chinese Yo-Yo team • 舞龍隊與中國民俗舞蹈 Dragon team & folk dance

15. FCS Language Programs • FCS language programs • 正規班Regular program: A literature-based curriculum teaches students Chinese skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. • 雙語班CSL program: A conversation-based curriculum emphasizes on basic Mandarin conversation skill.

16. FCS CSL Curriculum • 初級班 CSL-Beginner: • Curriculum focuses on Chinese 1-10, 100, 1000, phonetics and other basic words for body and family relationship. • The class has 25 % Chinese usage in instruction. • 中級班 CSL-Intermediate: • 華語五百字 Textbook: Speak Mandarin in Five Hundred Words. Lesson 1-15 is recommended for two years of classroom instruction. • 25 – 50% Chinese usage in instruction.

17. FCS CSL Curriculum (cont.) • 高級班 CSL-Advanced: • 華語五百字 Textbook: Speak Mandarin in Five Hundred Words. Lesson 16 - 30 is recommended for two years of classroom instruction. • 可轉入正規班After completing the 1st year in Advance class, qualify student who is willing to transfer into regular program can apply for a placement test. • 結業 Students wish to continue on CSL program after two-year study in Advance class can be moved into Conversation class. • 50 – 75% Chinese usage in instruction. Computer and projector are used for multimedia presentation.

18. FCS CSL Curriculum (cont.) • 會話班 Conversation class: • 華語一千字與旅遊中文開口說Textbook: Speak Mandarin in One Thousand Words and Everyday Chinese for Travelers (Far Eastern). • 會話日夜 Class focuses on Chinese daily conversation skills. • 無修業年限 No limitation on the years of study, but students usually complete their study for college bound.

19. FCS CSL Program Management • 學生人數CSL studnet population has to be maintained at a manageable level (about 1/4 of total population). • 分班 CSL students are grouped based on their Chinese proficiency. • 教學法 Capable of providing a teaching methodology with modern technology to improve the effectiness and efficiency. • 助教Each CSL class is assigned a teaching assistant. • 學習模式A spiral learning model is applied in CSL program.

20. 結論 • 一套妥善整合課程大綱和班級架構以便可以銜接不同程度學生的教學方式是海外中文學習，特別是對於中文雙語班而言，成功的重要因素。 • 整合式電腦輔助語言學習環境可以有效改善海外中文學習成效。 • 海外中文師資仍然是個問題。