An Experience with China

Inspirational Confucius Chinese After-School Program in Smithfield Schools, RI

Qian Xie , ak1980.xie@gmail.com

This presentation is to share the teaching experience in an on-going Chinese program in Rhode Island. As part of the program of Confucius Institute at Bryant University, Smithfield Schools have been the pioneer in the State conducting Chinese after school program since 2009 October. Through out the time, the program has developed from exploratory level to a complete system. The 6-week program covers the major and basic culture and language points in different approaches. Under the larger framework, each school could carry out the program differently depending on the teachers while materials are shipped to the school. I have been part of the program since end of 2009 as the Chinese language teacher, started at Windsor school, where the Confucius Classroom is located, now at the third school in the district and about to start at the fourth school. The presentation is going to show how the program has developed and runs, teaching methods involved and students’ achievement. Since Chinese program is rather new in Rhode Island, it is a great opportunity to let more people learn about the new development and the exploration of Chinese teaching in a different way.