Conduct cultural celebration events

Gu Zhen, Current TCLP Teacher, will hold a Chinese language and learning festival at her host school Wright Elementary. The purpose of this project is to engage every student in Chinese culture. Every class will perform on stage and further participate in several cultural activities. There will be Chinese culture display at the school that will include posters on topics such as cuisine, festivals, costumes, movies, traditions, and places of interest. The introduction of culture through posters will be followed by a school and community wide celebration.

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.

Mentor teacher Jacqueline Coe and TCLP Chinese teacher Zhao Yanzhen at Bow High School in Bow, NH implemented a project entitled: “Chinese Language: Practice, Outreach, and Sustainability”. The project contained three subcomponents aimed at enhancing and increasing critical language learning and outreach. A field trip to Boston’s Chinatown targeted a total of 40 current Chinese students and students in the Chinese Club that might be interested in enrolling in Chinese classes in the future.

Exchange teacher Min Haiwei received a CLP grant to increase exposure and understanding of Chinese culture in his host community of Cumberland, Maryland. Mr. Min organized a Chinese New Year event at a local shopping center to garner community support for the Chinese Immersion Program at West Side Elementary and to introduce members of the local community to the vast and rich heritage of China.

Alumna mentor teacher, Laura Koebel, was awarded a CLP grant to implement a three-part project designed to promote the Arabic program at Plymouth High School, inform others about Arabic culture and language, and provide support to current Arabic students.