Language InstructionLanguage InstructionLanguage InstructionLanguage Instruction

A Comparison of China and the United StatesOlympia Kyriakidis and Regula Schmid

A Comparison of China and the United StatesOlympia Kyriakidis and Regula Schmid

IntroductionIntroduction

The need to acquire world languages is not new. Historical documents indicate that individuals and whole communities around the world have been compelled to learn additional languages during the preceeding two millenia for a variety of reasons - colonization, trade and intermarriage, etc.

Today the world is facing growing needs to learn other languages at unprecedented rates for numerous reasons including: growing globalization in business and commerce, voluntary movement between countries, and a revolution in telecommunications.

The need to acquire world languages is not new. Historical documents indicate that individuals and whole communities around the world have been compelled to learn additional languages during the preceeding two millenia for a variety of reasons - colonization, trade and intermarriage, etc.

Today the world is facing growing needs to learn other languages at unprecedented rates for numerous reasons including: growing globalization in business and commerce, voluntary movement between countries, and a revolution in telecommunications.

Past Language Instruction in the USPast Language Instruction in the US

World language instruction occurred in heritage or weekend schools

Foreign language taught at high school and college levels

Shift in recent decades

Bilingual Education - Immersion Programs

Global economy has fueled greater increase and interest in recent years - primarily in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese

World language instruction occurred in heritage or weekend schools

Foreign language taught at high school and college levels

Shift in recent decades

Bilingual Education - Immersion Programs

Global economy has fueled greater increase and interest in recent years - primarily in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese

Types of language programsTypes of language programs

Two-Way Immersion

One Way Immersion

Bilingual Education

World Language Instruction

Heritage Weekend Instruction

Trilingual Models

Two-Way Immersion

One Way Immersion

Bilingual Education

World Language Instruction

Heritage Weekend Instruction

Trilingual Models

Two-way immersionTwo-way immersion

Two-way immersion programs are a blend of foreign language immersion and developmental bilingual education

Ideally half the students in each class are members of the majority language group (e.g. English speakers) and half are the members of a minority language program ( e.g. Spanish speakers).

Designed to promote bilingualism and biliteracy in both groups of students

Two-way immersion programs are a blend of foreign language immersion and developmental bilingual education

Ideally half the students in each class are members of the majority language group (e.g. English speakers) and half are the members of a minority language program ( e.g. Spanish speakers).

Designed to promote bilingualism and biliteracy in both groups of students

One-way immersionOne-way immersion

Also referred to as foreign language immersion programs

Students are taught academic subjects and literacy skills through a second language as well as through their native language

Amount of instruction at which grades varies from program to program and school to school

Also referred to as foreign language immersion programs

Students are taught academic subjects and literacy skills through a second language as well as through their native language

Amount of instruction at which grades varies from program to program and school to school

World Language InstructionWorld Language Instruction

World language standards in America are emerging at the national and state levels

Traditionally taught at the high school and college levels, increased need has brought world language instruction to middle school and elementary school levels.

Taught during the school day or outside of the school day

World language standards in America are emerging at the national and state levels

Traditionally taught at the high school and college levels, increased need has brought world language instruction to middle school and elementary school levels.

Taught during the school day or outside of the school day

Heritage SchoolsHeritage Schools

Emerged from a desire of various cultures to develop language and literacy of their native languages for subsequent generations

Occur mostly as after-school or weekend programs.

Frequently occur in places of worship or local schools

Star-Talk program is an example in San Diego

Emerged from a desire of various cultures to develop language and literacy of their native languages for subsequent generations

Occur mostly as after-school or weekend programs.

Frequently occur in places of worship or local schools

Star-Talk program is an example in San Diego

Trilingual ProgramTrilingual Program

Popular in other areas of the world, like Europe - trilingual programs are unique in America

In America most use a combination of immersion and enrichment

Riverview International Academy is an example of a trilingual program

Popular in other areas of the world, like Europe - trilingual programs are unique in America

In America most use a combination of immersion and enrichment

Riverview International Academy is an example of a trilingual program

Best Practices Best Practices

Despite the type of language programs, research helps identify best practices in language instruction in the US:

The teacher speaks and instructs only in the target language

Visual graphic organizers (pictures and charts) and realia (actual objects) are key in helping students make meaning

Vocabulary development and activating prior knowledge are essential before starting a lesson

Movements and gestures help students follow along and make meaning

Despite the type of language programs, research helps identify best practices in language instruction in the US:

The teacher speaks and instructs only in the target language

Visual graphic organizers (pictures and charts) and realia (actual objects) are key in helping students make meaning

Vocabulary development and activating prior knowledge are essential before starting a lesson

Movements and gestures help students follow along and make meaning

Future of Language InstructionFuture of Language Instruction

The future need and demand for world language instruction will continue to grow in the United States

Some states, like Utah, are mandating world language instruction in every school.

Research will continue to show the effectiveness of different models

Technology will play a major role in helping provide additional opportunities for instruction and practice

The future need and demand for world language instruction will continue to grow in the United States

Some states, like Utah, are mandating world language instruction in every school.

Research will continue to show the effectiveness of different models

Technology will play a major role in helping provide additional opportunities for instruction and practice

Riverview International AcademyRiverview International Academy

One-way immersion model- Beginning in kindergarten students are immersed in Spanish (90%) and provided Mandarin Chinese enrichment

New program beginning in the fall - Kindergartners will be immersed in Mandarin Chinese in (50% Mandarin Chinese, 50% in English)

The goal is for Riverview students to be trilingual and triliterate by matriculation of high school - Students will be able to communicate with 80% of the world.

One-way immersion model- Beginning in kindergarten students are immersed in Spanish (90%) and provided Mandarin Chinese enrichment

New program beginning in the fall - Kindergartners will be immersed in Mandarin Chinese in (50% Mandarin Chinese, 50% in English)

The goal is for Riverview students to be trilingual and triliterate by matriculation of high school - Students will be able to communicate with 80% of the world.

Teaching of foreign language in China - Historical perspectiveTeaching of foreign language in China - Historical perspective

During the second half of the 19th century, instruction was

held in Chinese and other languages in military, foreign

language, and missionary schools.

In 1949, China wanted to enhance literacy for Han Chinese

(Mandarin speaking population) a simplified script and a

national dialect, Putonghua

1950’s there was a major initiative making minority

languages into written languages. English started to become

the foreign language taught replacing Russian.

During the second half of the 19th century, instruction was

held in Chinese and other languages in military, foreign

language, and missionary schools.

In 1949, China wanted to enhance literacy for Han Chinese

(Mandarin speaking population) a simplified script and a

national dialect, Putonghua

1950’s there was a major initiative making minority

languages into written languages. English started to become

the foreign language taught replacing Russian.

Teaching of foreign language in China - Historical perspectiveTeaching of foreign language in China - Historical perspective

During the Cultural Revolution 1966 - 1976 China ceased foreign language instruction -In 1978 foreign language instruction was reinstated

In the 1990s, bilingualism gained popularity: Han Chinese learning

English and for the minority language Chinese learning Mandarin.

In 2003, the English was written as a foreign language into the school’s

curriculum and in 2006 a college requirement

Minority students need to learn Mandarin Chinese and English -

essentially trilingualism

During the Cultural Revolution 1966 - 1976 China ceased foreign language instruction -In 1978 foreign language instruction was reinstated

In the 1990s, bilingualism gained popularity: Han Chinese learning

English and for the minority language Chinese learning Mandarin.

In 2003, the English was written as a foreign language into the school’s

curriculum and in 2006 a college requirement

Minority students need to learn Mandarin Chinese and English -

essentially trilingualism

Language Instruction in ChinaLanguage Instruction in ChinaThe need and demand for foreign language (primarily English) instruction has increased greatly in the past decades in China and has played a major role in China’s curriculum reform

Western teaching theories - primarily the role of constructivist theory has played a large role in on-going debate of the best format for the teaching of English

The need and demand for foreign language (primarily English) instruction has increased greatly in the past decades in China and has played a major role in China’s curriculum reform

Western teaching theories - primarily the role of constructivist theory has played a large role in on-going debate of the best format for the teaching of English

Types of ProgramsTypes of Programs

TEFL programs - Many begin as early as third grade in most public schools. Compulsory in middle school and written in to the curriculum.

Immersion programs- Two- way programs in placed like Shang-Hai where there are large groups of native English speakers. There are also one-way, private immersion programs

Private English tutoring programs after school and on weekends

TEFL programs - Many begin as early as third grade in most public schools. Compulsory in middle school and written in to the curriculum.

Immersion programs- Two- way programs in placed like Shang-Hai where there are large groups of native English speakers. There are also one-way, private immersion programs

Private English tutoring programs after school and on weekends

What are Best Practices for Teaching English in China?What are Best Practices for Teaching English in China?

Smaller class sizes vs. larger class sizes

Primary vs. Secondary

Teacher centered - Student centered approach

Communicative language approach - direct approach

Constructivist theory (Western approach) - Traditional approach (ex. academic language and memorization)

Smaller class sizes vs. larger class sizes

Primary vs. Secondary

Teacher centered - Student centered approach

Communicative language approach - direct approach

Constructivist theory (Western approach) - Traditional approach (ex. academic language and memorization)

Future of Language InstructionFuture of Language Instruction

Continuous sharing and exchanging of teachers, ideas, theories, and best practices

On-going research studies to evaluate effectiveness of programs

The role of technology will continue to provide new and unique models of instruction, as well as individualized opportunities for practice.

Continuous sharing and exchanging of teachers, ideas, theories, and best practices

On-going research studies to evaluate effectiveness of programs

The role of technology will continue to provide new and unique models of instruction, as well as individualized opportunities for practice.

ExamplesExamples

Primary Experimental School #1 in Fujo - Enrichment beginning in grade 3 - Students spoke English very well in middle school

International School in Beijing - English Immersion beginning in kindergarten

Primary Experimental School #1 in Fujo - Enrichment beginning in grade 3 - Students spoke English very well in middle school

International School in Beijing - English Immersion beginning in kindergarten

ConclusionConclusion

Both the Unites States and China recognize the increased need for effective world language instruction in a global economy

Communities and individuals who can speak English and Chinese will have economic advantages in the future

We can learn the best approaches for teaching world languages form an exchange of teaching philosophies, teachers, curriculum, best practices, technologies, and ideas-

We can learn from each other!

Both the Unites States and China recognize the increased need for effective world language instruction in a global economy

Communities and individuals who can speak English and Chinese will have economic advantages in the future

We can learn the best approaches for teaching world languages form an exchange of teaching philosophies, teachers, curriculum, best practices, technologies, and ideas-

We can learn from each other!

Contact informationContact information

Regula Schmid - Principal at Johnson Elementary School- schmidregula@gmail.com

Olympia Kyriakidis - Principal at Riverview International Academy - olympia@sdcoe.net

Regula Schmid - Principal at Johnson Elementary School- schmidregula@gmail.com

Olympia Kyriakidis - Principal at Riverview International Academy - olympia@sdcoe.net

Round Table QuestionsRound Table Questions

What is currently happening with foreign language instruction in China theory and practice in China?

Which models and strategies are most effective for teaching English in China?

What teaching strategies for language instruction did you see being utilized at Riverview?

What are similarities and differences between language teaching strategies in China and the US?

What professional development around language instruction is offered in China?

What is currently happening with foreign language instruction in China theory and practice in China?

Which models and strategies are most effective for teaching English in China?

What teaching strategies for language instruction did you see being utilized at Riverview?

What are similarities and differences between language teaching strategies in China and the US?

What professional development around language instruction is offered in China?