District 54 teaches Chinese language and culture in new class
By: suetermaat
09/29/09 12:39 PM 174 hits

Frost Junior High teacher M.Y. Su balanced chopsticks on a glass canister for her junior high class as a delegation of about 20 Taiwanese teachers and principals watched.

A native of Taiwan, Su spent the morning teaching her students table manners for chopsticks before playing a game with her students, who are in District 54's newest class about Asian language and culture.

The delegation had stopped by to see how their exchange teacher was turning out and to learn more about teaching in the U.S., said Huei-wen Hsu, director of the cultural division of the Taipai Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago.
"They are here to learn about different school systems," Hsu said. "The world is global now and sometimes you have no idea what's happening outside of your country."

District 54 introduced its first Chinese language and culture class this year with the idea of possibly expanding it next year, said Debbie Ancona, a District 54 assistant superintendent. If this course is successful, the district could add a full-blown Chinese language course, teaching Mandarin, just like its Spanish and French offerings, Ancona said.

The delegation arrived Sept. 15 on its tour of the Midwest, Hsu said. One of its stops was to Su's class to see how the program was progressing. It also toured Frost and Michael Collin's Elementary in Schaumburg.
"We are so pleased with the quality of the (District 54) schools," Hsu said. "We want to learn about the school system, administration and teaching. We hope to set up sister schools in Taiwan to communicate (with the district) and not just be like pen pals."

The Illinois State Board of Education approached the district earlier this year about Taiwanese educators' interest in sending teachers to U.S. schools, said Terri McHugh, District 54's public relations coordinator. Through the program, Taiwanese teachers are able to learn about new practices and educate children about Asian culture and language. The district has been involved in a similar program with the board and Spain, she said.

Earlier this year, Su was selected by District 54 officials. In August, she arrived at the district, which is providing her with nearby accommodations while she's teaching this year. Her teaching contract in District 54 is for one school year.
Su grew up in Taiwan and later attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, receiving a master's degree in liberal studies.
So far, it's been a daunting task to teach everything she hopes to her students, she said.
"I only have 12 weeks to show them a 5,000-year-old culture and its history," Su said.

Su teaches the children rudimentary Mandarin, like "hello" and "my name is" and introduces them to the cultural practices. She also wants to impart what she calls survival Mandarin like "where is the bathroom," if they ever visit.

Frost students most enjoy hearing about how Taiwanese children live, Su said.
"I tell them that students in my country go to school from 7:30 to 5 p.m.," Su said. "And the kids say, 'Wow, what do the kids do all day?' And then I tell them most kids go to another school after that to study. It's called cram school. They pay more money and assure they can get into high school. I tell (the Frost students) they are so lucky."
Jaskirat Singh,12, said he'd take a Chinese language course if the district expands the program next year.
"I've learned about the food and places in Taiwan," Singh said. "I know how to say hello and my name is but I'd like to learn how to really speak it."

Amber Miller, 13, who's off to Schaumburg High School next year, said she'd like to take the language as well.
"I now know how to write numbers and some words," Miller said. "It's fun and much different than other languages. If they have it in high school, I'd take it."

-Story submitted by Sue Ter Maat, Triblocal.com reporter