Note: the information below is now historical. See most recent Home page post.
In collaboration with Edison Elementary, the Language Teaching Studies (LTS) MA Program in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Oregon started an after-school Chinese Language and Culture Club (CLCC). It began in January, 2015.
The club is on Fridays after school in the Library, 2:55-4:00. Participation in the club is free of charge, but students must register; it is not a drop-in club. Please contact Keli Yerian at yerian@uoregon.edu if you would like to register your child.
Chinese Language and Culture Club features:
– Enthusiastic teachers: Each term, two or three LTS graduate students will sign up to teach in the club. They are Native or near native proficiency Mandarin speakers. Their teaching is supervised and observed by the Director of the LTS program, Keli Yerian.
– Rich teaching content: Each session includes Chinese language and culture-related content and activities. During Chinese holidays, Chinese food and traditions are brought into the classroom such as making lanterns and paper cuts. Lessons are taught in a bilingual format (i.e. this is not an immersion course). Small group formats for part of the time can accommodate varying proficiency levels.
– Club schedules: Following the University quarter system, there is a total of seven-nine sessions every term, depending on school days out. Sessions are 60 minutes long and are held once a week on Fridays.
– Diverse students: This club is open to up to 15 children each term from grades 3-5 (ages 8-11). Students who are interested learning Chinese or Chinese culture as well as native and heritage speakers of Chinese are all welcome. We are not extending the club to younger children because of the wide range of learning needs across all age groups, and the teachers are in-training.
Chinese Language and Culture Club goals:
– To help stimulate a positive interest in second language learning and culture among Edison elementary students.
– To provide an opportunity for Chinese-speaking LTS students to obtain additional classroom experience in language teaching at the primary school level.