A Far East movement: Chinese school launches online tutoring program
Nicole Narea, Special Correspondent
Published 07:46 p.m., Sunday, July 17, 2011
- Madison Kung, 7, of Harrison, N.Y., a student of the Chinese Language School of Connecticut, works from a laptop at the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich Monday, July 11, 2011. The school recently introduced a new online tutoring program that allows students from all over Connecticut to take classes from home. Photo: Helen Neafsey / Greenwich Time
Seven-year-old Madison Kung barely looks up from the screen of his iMac computer when his mother, Terri, calls his name. The Looney Tunes-like sound effects coming from the laptop speakers would suggest that he is engrossed in a video game. On the contrary -- it is his Chinese homework.
The Chinese Language School of Connecticut has taught Mandarin as a second language to non-native students ranging from toddlers to adults since its creation in 2002, but, as it enters its 10th year of operation, the Riverside-based school is launching a new online learning system called iVuChinese.
The iVuChinese curriculum utilizes Better Chinese, an independent study website that provides homework assignments and lesson plans that correlate to textbooks for students ages 8 and above. It centers on interactive learning rather than simply rote memorization, offering games, stories and songs for each lesson.
"Once you complete something like homework, it adds a trophy to your collection," said Madison, a devout fan of Better Chinese. "They're really cool. I have a lot of them, but I've been studying for two terms already."
In addition, students can benefit from private instruction through Skype as part of the iVuChinese curriculum. Tutors can critique a student's pronunciation and intonation using a microphone, as well as operate a screen-sharing feature that allows a student to see exactly what is displayed on the tutor's computer during a lecture. Tutoring sessions mimic the experience a student would have if they were physically sitting next to a tutor and can be conducted anywhere with an Internet connection.
"There is a student that is studying this summer who is using a tablet pen to draw characters, reviewing his stroke order, making sure his tones are correct, reviewing things he has learned over the year all through Skype," Program Director Terri Kung said.
She describes Skype tutoring sessions as "highly individualized." Tutors work closely with parents and students to adjust their lesson plans accordingly, taking into consideration age, level and learning style.
"We are unique because we teach our tutors how to teach American students and non-native speakers," said Principal Daisy Laone, who conducts regular, "intensive" training workshops for the school's tutors.
Therefore, Kung views iVuChinese as an indispensable resource for Madison to maintain his current level of proficiency over the summer and supplement the school-year curriculum. Furthermore, it allows him to continue to develop an appreciation for Chinese culture.
"My husband was raised in Taiwan. I worked abroad for many years. We appreciate knowledge of other cultures and languages," she said. "It good exposure for Madison to other ways of thinking." When you learn in a different language, you start to think in a different language and a different way."
Based on the school's increasing number of students, it would seem that other parents are also beginning to see the benefits of learning Chinese.
"Everybody sees China as the economy of the future. We have seen an uptick in inquiries since the Prime Minister Wen Jiabao visited the States," Kung said. "No matter what he decides to do with it, it will always be good for my son to have Chinese in his back pocket."
To learn more about iVuChinese or CLSC's other Chinese language programs for children or adults, visit them at www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or contact info@chineselanguageschool.org.
Read more: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/A-Far-East-movement-Chinese-school-launches-1470070.php#ixzz1ST7WcZkc
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