Improving critical language skills of U.S. and international students

This project will benefit the school's 200 students, including those in 5 Mandarin Chinese classes across 4 levels. The CLP funds will be used to acquire decorations, and supplies necessary to organize a school wide event to celebrate Chinese New Year.

All 472 students in Batesville Intermediate School participated in introductory Chinese calligraphy classes during the school day and 41 students signed up to participate in after school calligraphy clubs to learn even more. This all took place as part of my TCLP outreach.

The EMMS Chinese Class Yearbook 2021-2022 is an artistic presentation of all the activities, what we've learned throughout the year, as well as students' own understanding of things related to the language and cultural learning. This is not only a collection of memories, but also an achievement exhibition. Students in the Chinese class and Chinese enrichment class will all work together toward the final production of the Yearbook. Additionally, the outreach activities to the whole school and community will be included in the yearbook.

The project will consist of two parts. First, before the festival, students will learn about the tradition of Spring Festival and how Chinese people celebrate it. They will make crafts in preparation of the festival, like papercutting, lanterns, and couplets, to decorate the classroom and a Chinese culture bulletin board. They will also learn about Chinese food and practice how to use chopsticks. Then on Chinese New Year, the students and parents will take a field trip by bus to the Chinatown in downtown Chicago.

This project will create an Arabic Club where students will demonstrate competence in using Arabic before a large audience. Parents and community members will participate in curriculum night and cultural events. We will host a forum where the community and school staff will learn about the education, culture, cuisine, customs, traditions, and daily life in Egypt. The project will promote and reinforce the Arabic language, students'  fluency, and knowledge of the Egyptian culture.

Lifting Arabic Language Awareness is intended to introduce, teach, and grow the Arabic language skills among members of the Winooski, VT community.  Adult participants will have the opportunity to learn Modern Standard Arabic through weekly conversational classes led by a qualified instructor, while children and their families will be invited to attend bilingual story-times followed by an activity centered on the culture, practices, and traditions of the Middle East.