TCLP alumnus Li Long (2015-16) returned to China in Summer 2016, after a school year of teaching at Roton Middle School in Norwalk, Connecticut. He brought with him an enthusiasm to make an impact in English teaching in his school district. In October, he founded the English Club at Dongqiao Middle School. Today, the club has 70 members who meet for activities every other Wednesday after school. Li Long organizes club initiatives based on topics such as holidays in the U.S, the cultural differences between China and U.S., the school life of American students, geography and much more. Club members learn new English songs and share the songs they know. They also discuss American movies and take part in movie dubbing shows using English. They conducted projects like a video exchange and Christmas card exchange with the students at Li Long's host school. The students have lots of fun in the club and their interest in American English continues to grow!
On April 26, 2017, Douglas Thomson, Li Long's neighbor in Rowayton, CT and currently a student at George Washington University, finished his exchange in Beijing. Li Long invited his American friend to Ningde, Fujian, where he visited the school and joined a meeting of the English Club. The students were very happy to meet him and converse in English. To mark the occasion the club had a competition where students displayed their knowledge about America.
Li Long aims to expand club projects and continue to develop engaging activities; "I hope my club can grow and we have more exchanges with American students. I hope one day I can bring my students to America and build sister school with my host school." English clubs are an effective way for alumni to continue sharing their TCLP experience and impact their home communities and students. Interested in starting your own club? Feel free to apply for a Critical Language Projects grant to help with resources or activities!