On August 24, 2024, CLTA-WA held its much-anticipated In-Person Summer Workshop at Seattle Country Day School. This event, widely acclaimed among participants for its high quality and originality, was a wonderful blend of professional development, cultural immersion, and community building for Chinese language educators.
The day began with warm welcome remarks from the President, setting the tone for an enriching day ahead. Participants engaged in several lively community-building games, fostering camaraderie among both new and returning attendees.
Taichi Practice with Ren Hui ☯️
The first session featured Taichi practices led by Ren Hui, Dean of Seattle Genius Taichi Center. After immersing themselves in the Taichi movements while finding inner calmness, participants later broke into small groups for a reflective discussion, exploring how Taichi could be integrated into their language teaching, cultural comparison, and promoting mindfulness and physical well-being among students.
Cultural Food Cooking Unit with Huang Yu-Chin 🍳
Yu-Chin from the Everett School District led an engaging session on incorporating cultural food into the curriculum. Her class demo showcased language teaching approaches and included a live cooking demonstration of Snow Souffles, a popular Taiwanese snack. It was then followed by a vibrant discussion on why, when, and how to make cooking a fun and educational experience in the classroom, school, and community.
Tea Ceremony with Zuo Fang 🍵
After lunch, Zuo Fang, founder of the Teafairy Culture & Art Center and North America Tea Academy, demonstrated the art of tea, bringing participants to a sensory feast. Her rich presentation on the origin, development, and categories of Chinese tea deepened teachers’ understanding of traditional Chinese tea culture. This comprehensive exploration not only expanded their knowledge but also inspired new ways to convey cultural depth in the classroom.
Chinese Calligraphy Experience with Wang Yi ✍️
The final session of the day was a deep dive into Chinese calligraphy, led by Wang Yi, recipient of the “Why Learn Language” Global Education Model Award and member of the American Society of Shufa Calligraphy Education. Yi also introduced an abundance of technology resources for incorporating calligraphy themes in Chinese language classes.
Participants praised the hands-on activities, highlighting the practical usefulness and the depth of knowledge shared by the presenters. The engaging sessions provided valuable insights and tools that teachers can readily apply in their classrooms. The workshop’s success has everyone excited for future events, as they look forward to continued professional growth.
As CLTA-WA’s annual in-person summer workshop comes to a fruitful close, we wish all teachers a wonderful start to the 2024-2025 school year!
CLTA-WA Member-Only Resources
The slides, recording, and additional resources curated by our experienced presenters are available on the member-only page using the password shared with you.