Chinese Tutoring for the Domestic Students
Chinese Tutoring for the Domestic Students
Mandarin is a popular subject that many schools are offering as a second language as indicated in the above graph 3.2. Between public and private schools, there are sixteen public school districts in the Philadelphia area offering Chinese as a Second Language. The same is true of neighboring states, including Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. To meet this growing need, Double Star Learning Center is offering individualized learning opportunities for students who seek more support and in-depth study.
Double Star is expanding its field of business to teaching Chinese language (Mandarin) and Chinese culture classes. The approach uses simplified Chinese characters and Pin Yin (Chinese phonic system). Tutoring sessions can be offered at the office in Lansdale or remotely through online forums. Sessions are usually 1 to 1.5 hours each. Tutors must utilize various methods and different curriculum to adapt to Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced students. This will include students taking AP level Mandarin Chinese courses.
Double Star also serves Heritage Speakers (Chinese Americans), who represent a different demographic from other CSL students. Heritage Speakers come to class with a greater understanding of the target language and culture. Providing these students with individualized instruction allows them to achieve their goals at a pace that reflects their personal background and ethnic identity. Double Star provides these students with tutors who are fluent in Chinese. These tutors will also allow students opportunity for broad cultural study and activities.
In addition to language, Double Star Learning Center will offer students opportunities for cultural immersion and exchange. International and domestic students will be able to research and celebrate traditional Chinese holidays and festivals together. They will be offered opportunities to engage Chinese culture through popular mediums (news, movies, music and advertising). This sort of cross-cultural immersion is essential to the enjoyment and mastery of any language.
(1) Course Offered
Chinese Language Classes
- Chinese for students with Heritage Speakers: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced levels
- Chinese as Second Language (CSL) for students with non-Chinese background: Beginning and Intermediate levels
- Test preparation for SAT Subject Test, Chinese with Listening, and AP Chinese Language and Culture
Chinese Culture Classes
- Chinese Holidays Introduction
- Chinese Calligraphy
- Chinese Paper Cutting
- Tai Chi (Tai Ji)
- Tea Ceremony
(2) Chinese Textbooks
A good textbook provides students with a framework for learning. These texts allow students to familiarize themselves with the Chinese characters; teaches students the basics in pronunciation; enables students to interpret the characters; allows students to go at their own pace.
There are a lot of Chinese books out on the market. There is something for every Chinese learner out there. These books provide the much needed stepping stone towards mastering the language.
If the student is an Intermediate or Advanced learner, the tutors should recommend literature and other written texts, so students can build a foundation in Chinese culture. Students interested in AP Chinese and SAT Chinese should study the AP and SAT exam materials.
Integrated Chinese is an acclaimed Mandarin Chinese language course that delivers a cohesive system of print and digital resources for highly effective teaching and learning.
Integrated Chinese offers a solid command of the rules of Pinyin. It gives the students the necessary foundation in the phonetics of the Chinese language. Learners are taught the pronunciation of each character and the difference in the tones.
To support phonetic learning, there are dialogues and grammar explanations in every lesson. Students learn both structure and conversation. The book is available in both traditional and simplified Chinese, so learners can choose the textbook that best suits them.
Integrated Chinese has been fully revised to align with the needs of today’s learners. Grammar Now includes exercises to consolidate the lessons. Language Practice includes interpersonal, interpretive and presentational activities. Get Real with Chinese uses realia to situate language learning in a real-life context. Chinese Chat models how language is used on social media. Characterize It! encourages students to approach the learning of characters analytically. How About You? includes visual cues to promote vocabulary expansion and retention. Compare & Contrast activities further enhances language acquisition. Cultural Literacy resources allow students to immerse themselves in Chinese culture. Lesson Wrap-Up includes context-based tasks to help assimilate and produce language. Make It Flow! scaffolds development of continuous discourse in written and spoken forms while Interactive content provides a blended teaching and learning experience.
The Integrated Chinese textbook offers four levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Mastery.
