United States

Ni Fenfen, former TCLP Exchange teacher, received a CLP Grant for a project for students to do an in-depth exploration of Chinese culture and art. The project involved two field trips to Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. The first field trip included a visit to the Phoenix Art Museum to see Chinese art treasures, and students also participated in a Chinese Culture & Cuisine festival. Through this field trip, students were given the opportunity to cultivate appreciation for Chinese art, had access to stunning Chinese cultural activities in the festival, and enjoyed authentic Chinese food.

As part of a cross-cultural Critical Language Project, TCLP Teacher Tamer Elsharkawy and his students explored Alexandria, Virginia. His students shared what they learned about Alexandria, Virginia with students in Egypt and in turn, students in Egypt shared what they learned from a field trip to Alexandria, Egypt. Both groups of students practiced their target languages of Arabic and English through the project.

Sophia Griffies was awarded a grant on behalf of Audubon Charter School in New Orleans, which began their new Mandarin program by hosting TCLP Chinese exchange teachers during the 2013 and 2014 school years. Through the CLP funds the school hosted a Chinese New Year celebration in 2015 for families and community members. The event showcased Chinese language and culture and included Chinese decorations, a student parade and Chinese dance performance, and tents featuring Chinese food tastings, art, and music.

Stacy Lyon, a mentor teacher for TCLP participant Munir Gomaa at Renaissance Academy in Lehi, UT received a CLP grant to host a Bedouin Fair for the school community to kick off their annual “World Language Week” for 2013. Through the support of the grant, the school set up a fair with a live camel, Arabic music, potted palms, bread baking, belly dancing, and booths with activities led in Arabic.

TCLP Arabic Teacher, Hanan Gawdet, received a Critical Language Project Grant to give Southern Lehigh Arabic students from 7th -12th grade an opportunity to focus on “Ancient and Modern Egyptian Arts.”

TCLP Arabic teacher Abir Hassan at Siletz Valley Early College Academy in Siletz Valley, OR organized a Culture Night performance and Fashion Show. Both activities provided an opportunity for her Arabic students to interact with one another and perform for the school and great community, furthering awareness of Arabic culture and language. Ms. Hassan’s Arabic skit was included during the Siletz Culture Night to over 350 community members, and a DVD was created to be used as a learning resource for future Arabic students.