K-12 Chinese-Language Teachers Roundtable 2017:

Yanhao Wang
Seton Hall University

How to develop an effective Chinese-American telecollaborative learning program with WeChat or Skype? How can teachers prepare students for AP Chinese Exam from the readers’ perspectives?  Experienced teachers presented and discussed these critical issues in the K-12 Chinese-Language Teachers Roundtable on November, 11th at Seton Hall University. Seton Hall University

In this meeting, Dr. Han Luo, from Lafayette College, shared her research about using WeChat and Skype to build bridges among Chinese learners in the US and college students in China. Many American students feel frustrated when they cannot find native speakers to talk to when learning Chinese, but Dr. Luo’s program provided an amazing chance for students of different areas to communicate or practice what they have learned.

In the following part, Ms. Liping Meng, the experienced Chinese teacher at Montville Township High School, presented her ideas about why and how to prepare students for AP Chinese Exam from lower levels. With students’ excellent work and refined guidelines, Ms. Meng impressed and benefited all participants.

From the perspectives of exam readers, Ms. Mali Ou, Ms. Peisong Xu, and Ms. Jennifer Wu also shared their invaluable experience about grading Story-writing, E-mail response, and Cultural Presentation in the AP Chinese Exam. By analyzing the scoring guidelines and showing authentic examples, these presenters familiarized listeners with how AP Chinese exam readers evaluate students, then provided helpful advice for both teachers and their students.

Organized by Seton Hall University and the New Jersey Chinese Cultural Studies Foundation (NJCCSF), the annual conference has become one of the most important opportunities for Chinese teachers in New Jersey and New York to share their experience, exchange ideas, and build up networks of professional contacts.