Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Chopstix Chinese Story Time at Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT


The Chinese Language School of Connecticut Presents Chopstix Chinese Story Time at Old Greenwich’s Perrot Library
-- School presents activities and stories for three to five year olds --

“Perrot is thrilled to partner with the Chinese Language School of Connecticut in adding Story Time in Mandarin Chinese to our preschool program offerings. Learning a second language not only has a positive effect on a child’s mental development, but also opens the door to other cultures!” Perrot Library Technical Assistant Vicky Livoti”.

Riverside, CT, June 29, 2009 – The Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org), the fully-accredited, non-profit Riverside, CT-based provider of Chinese language programs, is pleased to present Chopstix Chinese Story Time at Old Greenwich’s Perrot Library (www.perrotlibrary.org).

This program is for children ages 3-5 (and their siblings); a parent or caregiver must be present.

Story times are Wednesdays, 1pm, July 8, 15, 22, 29. For more info www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org, or visit http://greenteapop.blogspot.com.

CLSC parent, Greenwich resident Robyn Wasserman said, "I am so pleased that the Perrot Library and the Chinese Language School of Connecticut are able to bring such a culturally enriching program to our community. Our children truly benefit when two wonderful institutions collaborate."


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Monday, June 15, 2009

Are Our Children Falling Behind the International Pack?

Why do we still follow a school system based on an agrarian society? By the time our children finish with special sports camps and swim teams (I understand sports are good for many reasons), they will have lost more than a month's worth of learning (known as "summer learning loss") and nearly three month's of math (which is why some of us make our children do next-grade-level summer workbooks).

A recent report from McKinsey, states that the lagging performance of U.S.students, particularly poor and minority children, has caused more economic devastation than the current recession.

And, American students study less than 3 years of a foreign language; in many high schools, a foreign language is not even required to graduate. How will our children compete? (Learning Chinese is a start.)

From the Economist: "[American students] have one of the shortest school years anywhere, a mere 180 days compared with an average of 195 for OECD countries and more than 200 for East Asian countries. German children spend 20 more days in school than American ones, and South Koreans over a month more. Over 12 years, a 15-day deficit means American children lose out on 180 days of school, equivalent to an entire year.

American children also have one of the shortest school days, six-and-a-half hours, adding up to 32 hours a week. By contrast, the school week is 37 hours in Luxembourg, 44 in Belgium, 53 in Denmark and 60 in Sweden. On top of that, American children do only about an hour’s-worth of homework a day, a figure that stuns the Japanese and Chinese."

From: http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13825184

Friday, June 12, 2009

Children's Chinese Art Exhibit

New Canaan Library Welcomes Chinese Language School of Connecticut Art Exhibit

“It’s very gratifying to see how many students are inspired to learn Chinese through their interest in art and Chinese culture,” noted CLSC Board member and president, New Canaan resident Susan Serven.

Riverside, CT, June 20, 2009 – The Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org), the fully-accredited, non-profit Riverside, CT-based provider of Chinese language programs to students, schools and corporations, will be presenting an exhibit of children’s Chinese art at the New Canaan Library from June 25 through the end of July.

New Canaan Library Director Alice Knapp, explained, “We are very pleased to help promote global community awareness through this international exhibit. The Chinese Language School of Connecticut’s students and staff have created some wonderful pieces of art exploring what they’ve learned, and what Chinese culture means to them.”

“It’s wonderful to see so many of our students showing what they’ve learned, through art,” said CLSC president, New Canaan resident Susan Serven. “Creating art helps students integrate what they are learning, and makes it all so much more fun,” she continued.

CLSC VP Art and Culture, Redding resident Katy Chen Myers, explained, “the exhibits will include student-created artwork such as “The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove,” which is a Recreation of the third century Wei dynasty poets and writers as Taoist sages engaged in music and conversation; Traditional folk art of China and Taiwan made for the spring festivals and dragon boat races in honor of Chinese hero Qu Yuan; “Collage of the Ancients,” which are Early Chinese pictographs arranged in artful patterns; “Let a Hundred Kites Fly; Virtues Remembered: A tribute to the victims of the Cultural Revolution,” which is an installation of one hundred kites made by CLSC students stamped with Chinese characters representing virtues forgotten by the communist leaders during the Cultural Revolution; and “The Horses of the Tang Dynasty,” which is an installation of the pastel/abstract ponies arriving for inspection for the emperor,” she continued.

Explanations of each group will accompany the art.

For information on this exhibit or on CLSC weekend or weekday language programs for children or adults, Before– and After- School programs, special workshops, private tutoring or corporate language programs, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email them at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org.

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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Musical Mandarin 2.5 hour preschool class

Thanks to our parents of preschoolers for your suggestions on forming an expanded preschool class! We're happy to offer Musical Mandarin, a drop off class for children ages 3-5, which uses activities, songs and music to introduce children to Chinese!

Chinese Language School of Connecticut Introduces Musical Mandarin

-- Non-Profit School offers 2.5 hour Weekday Preschool Class --

“So many of our parents have asked for an expanded preschool class utilizing music, and we’re pleased to help introduce even more children to Chinese through Musical Mandarin,” noted CLSC Board Co-Chair, Greenwich resident Cynthia Chang Scanlan.

Riverside, CT, June 1, 2009 – The Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org), the fully-accredited, non-profit Riverside, CT-based provider of Chinese language programs to students, schools and corporations, is pleased to announce Musical Mandarin, an expanded, 2.5 hour preschool class developed to introduce Chinese to children through activities and music.

CLSC Principal, Daisy Chen Laone, explained, “Young children learn best through music and song. We are extremely fortunate to have some exceptionally talented teachers with wonderful musical ability. With the start this fall of our new Musical Mandarin program, we hope to engage even more preschoolers in learning Chinese.”

“Musical Mandarin is available to children ages three through five, Wednesdays, 9:30-12:00, starting October 14, 2009, at our weekday program offices at the Greenwich Family Y, 50 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT. Registration is open now; early registration rates apply until July 15.

“We are offering our summer preschool Chopstix programs in Greenwich, as well, for any students who can’t wait until the fall to begin learning Chinese!” she continued. “The registration deadline is June 15.”

CLSC parent Robyn Wasserman explained, "Our family’s experience at the Chinese Language School of Connecticut has been wonderful. The teachers are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and highly educated. They have challenged our daughter to learn Mandarin and have made her experience quite enjoyable. We would definitely recommend the Chinese Language School of Connecticut."

For information on any of the Chinese Language School of Connecticut’s programs, including summer, weekend or weekday language programs for children or adults, Before– and After- School programs, special workshops, private tutoring or corporate language programs, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email them at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org.

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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Thanks for Another Great Year at the Chinese Language School of Connecticut

Even in all this rain, they tell us summer's nearly here.


Congrats to everyone at the Chinese Language School of Connecticut on another wonderful year.

And for those who may have missed our Year End Celebration on Sunday...

Congratulations to Cameron Yick and Alex Chou, who graduated this year, but will be back to assist our teachers and mentor our younger students. (Pictured: CLSC Principal Daisy Laone, Alex Chou, Cameron Yick, CLSC President Susan Serven)

Thank you to all our teachers and students who put on such a wonderful performance today, we're very proud of you!

Thank you to outgoing Parents Committee Chair (for 2 years!), Amy Yu.

Thank you to outgoing VP Marketing (for 3 years!) Marie Howe.

Thank you to outgoing VP Development, Chinese New Year Chair (for 3 years!) Sue Lue.

Thank you to incoming Parents Committee Chair, Deborah Serianni.

Thank you to incoming Chinese New Year Chair Samantha Connell, and co-Chair, Michelle Fang.


We have some wonderful things planned for next year, including our expanded class for preschoolers, Musical Mandarin.

We are introducing a Pen Pal program with Chinese students this summer...for info please email info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org (you must be a current or past student of the Chinese Language School of Connecticut's weekday, weekend, Before / After School Chinese or private tutoring programs to participate).

And, Daisy and our teachers have been developing our own Level 1 Beginner materials...as well as working with various interactive Chinese learning materials providers to create an engaging Chinese curriculum at all levels!


For info on registration for the school year 2009/2010, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email us at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Learning Chinese

from China Daily (many of us have been there, and we feel this author's pain):

The rain of pain falls mainly on the brain
By Patrick Whiteley (China Daily)


"When does the magic happen?" most Chinese language beginners ask. How long does it take before they can roam from Xi'an to Yunnan and have the ability to speak freely to all and sundry?

But my biggest [complaint] is a little more selfish. "When does the pain stop?" I always ask.

Every time I study Chinese my head hurts so much. My poor old brain churns and burns and turns until I can't handle it anymore.

When I first started learning Chinese about two years ago, the brain pain began after about 10 minutes when everything became jumbled and confused.

The tones, the intonation and every word sounded the same. For example there are more than 40 meanings for "shi" depending on tone and context.

There was only one word beginning with "shi", which I was able to exclaim very loudly, but considering China Daily is a family newspaper, I will refrain from repeating it here.

There is also the sneaky grammar. My friends are not waiting (zai xia lou) "down stairs" they are waiting stairs down (zai lou xia).

The boy wearing the green shirt never leaves the bakery instead, "wearing the green shirt, the boy leaves the bakery".

Speaking was always difficult, but there was no use replying to anything because I couldn't understand what was being said.

Expats, of all ages and who speak good Chinese, assure us beginners that things get better, and the pain does stop.

This is kind of true. Today I can spend up to 90 minutes on Chinese lessons without suffering brain seizures. After such constructive and productive sessions, I applaud my teacher before collapsing into a heap.

"About three to four years," says Patrick Brown, Canadian Broadcasting Commission's Beijing correspondent, referring to when the pain stopped for him.

The veteran journalist began Chinese at age 42 and has been covering China for the past two decades. He says speaking and listening became easier after three years, but insists the learning process never stops because the language is so rich, ompact and detailed. Watching Chinese TV soap dramas is one of the best ways to learn.

"One of the biggest difficulties is actually training the ear, and this takes a lot of time," he says.

I've been watching Chinese television every day for two years and it's still a blur because everybody speaks so fast. I can pick up a few new words, but by the time I process the meaning the speaker has rattled off another sentence.

When I'm learning new words, it always feels like I'm pushing a heavily loaded wheelbarrow up a slippery mud-mountain and I'm forever sliding backwards.

The wheelbarrow is filled with shengci (new words), which I'm using to build a pathway. I load the wheelbarrow with a couple of hundred new words and push up that slippery slope laying down words where I can.

But I sometimes overload the barrow and it slips back and slams into my shins. Or it completely falls over and some days I feel like I've lost everything.

All Chinese learners know that sinking feeling. I need to be tougher and follow the advice of Tom Berenger's tough army sergeant character in Platoon. "Take the pain," he screamed to a wounded soldier writhing in agony in the Vietnam jungle.

Or maybe I should heed the words of that other great action man, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who would say in that Austrian accent: "No pain, no gain." One thing is certain, like Arnie's indestructible terminator, I'll never give up on my mission.

After every Chinese lesson, I pick myself off the floor, rub my aching head and tell my teacher, "I'll be back."

(For help with your Chinese language learning, or your children's, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org.)


From: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/showbiz/2009-04/20/content_7694317.htm

Monday, June 1, 2009

Robins, Blue Jays, Rooks and Children

For several years, we've had a bird's nest on the wreath on our front door, in front of a window, so we can watch the birds as they hatch and grow.

Now we have two nests, so have more of a Bird Condo on the wreath. It's been amazing this year to watch, first the baby robins, and then, the baby blue jays, on the two nests.

We were privileged to actually see the mother bird demonstrate flying, and then nudge her last baby off the nest -- on Mother's Day, no less!

And, the blue jays look like they're ready to go now, too.

In addition, the Economist's May 30-June 5 issue has an article (page 83) on rooks, which are birds. It seems that rooks in the wild, who are not "working together", lack an adaptive skill, but rooks in the lab, who are "working with other rooks" learn to adapt nearby items as tools, to obtain food. http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13726746

So, even rooks learn more by working together, being adaptive and innovative.

All this bird viewing and info made me realize how quickly children (and birds!) learn, grow and fly away.

So, the time we spend learning together seems even more valuable...if baby rooks can do it, so can we!

(For more info on summer learning resources and tools, please visit the Useful Links section of our web site, www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org )

Cannot believe summer is almost here.

Following is some info on Dragon Boats festivals, with resources. Have fun!

Dragon Boat Festival Resources
The 5th day of the 5th month in the Lunar calender is considered to be the day of the Dragon Boat Festival.

* Dragon Boat Calender of Races and Festivals
http://www.childbook.com/Dragon-Boat-Festival-Race-Event-Calendar-s/72.\htm
in the US and Canada

* PowerPoint on the Dragon Boat Festival
http://www.thestreetsmartseo.com/coloring/powerpoint/DragonBoatFestival\
.ppt

* Free Coloring Pictu
res
http://www.childbook.com/Dragon-Boat-Festival-Coloring-Pages-Pictures-s\/296.htm
of the Dragon Boat Festival

* Free Worksheets
http://www.childbook.com/Dragon-Boat-Festival-Worksheets-s/344.htm
for the Dragon Boat Festival

* Lesson Plan
http://www.childbook.com/Dragon-Boat-Festival-Lesson-Plan-s/290.htm
for the Dragon Boat Festival

* Craft
http://www.thestreetsmartseo.com/coloring/pictures/ZongZiWallHanging.pd\f for the Dragon Boat Festival