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Support & Services

1. Curriculum and Lesson Plans:
Compared with other commonly taught languages, teaching and learning Chinese language at the all levels is a relatively new endeavor, especially in the Midwest. Even up to the present, there is no established curriculum specifically designed for high school Chinese language programs. MCTA members have designed a 5-year high school curriculum and detailed lesson plans that suit the public school educational system, also Asian Studies curricula for private schools. There are teaching and learning materials developed for preschool children and adopted families as well. More work will be planned towards similar projects for other levels of learning.

2. Teaching Materials and Learning Activities:
As in many classrooms where more commonly taught languages are offered at K-12 levels, students in the same class are of different proficiency levels and have various learning styles. However, unlike other commonly taught languages, there are not sufficient published textbooks and materials that are especially made to serve the needs of the K-12 Chinese learners. MCTA have been working collaborate to create the teaching materials for various programs and designed many learning activities and projects that suit school classrooms. These activities included excursions to local spots, museums, and in class group projects that emphasized culture learning.

3. Exchange Programs and Educational Tours:
In order to expend the students learning opportunities, MCTA engages in promoting and organizing study aboard as well as exchange programs. Important contacts with the Chinese Consulate in Chicago and the Economic and Trade Office of Taiwan are also established.

4. Cross-cultural Understanding:
MCTA provides guest speakers to come on campus and to classroom to give talks on the importance of learning languages and cultures and cross-cultural understanding.

5. Promotional Agenda:
In order to promote and support new Chinese programs, it is extremely important to have support from other disciplines, subject areas, and the whole community. Support may not come naturally, and cannot be taken for granted. A new program of this kind needs tremendous effort to publicize its agenda and it bears the burden to educate others to recognize the educational opportunities and economic and cultural values that the program can provide to students.

6. Professional Growth:
MCTA provides professional expertise and organizes seminars and workshops for all levels teaching and learning. It also encourages its members to participate national conferences and activities.

Last Modified: 12-9-2003