National Chinese Language Conference 2024
Mandarin Education in a Transformative Era
Mark your calendars for the 2024 National Chinese Language Conference (NCLC):
- May 2: Explore how technology is reshaping language education landscapes, discuss diverse trending topics with fellow educators, and connect with peers in and outside the language field to gain strength and build a future of thriving world language programs. See Agenda
- May 3: Visit innovative and accomplished Chinese language programs in the greater Bay Area, featuring a variety of schools and PK-12 program models. Don’t miss this unique chance to take a look inside success! Spots are limited; sign up early to secure your preference. See List of Schools
Where: The 17th annual NCLC will take place in person on Thursday, May 2, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. On Friday, May 3, a select group of schools in the San Francisco Bay Area will open their doors to host NCLC attendees. For those who cannot attend in person, an online option will be available (for May 2 program only).
The NCLC provides a high-profile platform for sharing new ideas and best practices in the fields of Chinese language teaching and learning, arts and culture, and international exchange. Since its inception in 2008, the conference has attracted nearly 18,000 attendees from the United States and around the globe. Whether you are a returning participant or new to our community, we warmly invite you to be a part of this enriching experience at NCLC 2024.
Main Conference Agenda At-A-Glance
Date and Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Pacific Time on Thursday, May 2
Location: Computer History Museum, Mountain View, CA
(in formation; subject to change)
Registration
ONLINE:
NCLC is glad to offer a digital solution for participants who could not join us in person. Full-day live-streaming will be accessible, and some concurrent sessions may be recorded for playback.
- Virtual Main Conference on May 2: $89
IN-PERSON (SOLD OUT):
Join us in person May 2-3 for the optimal learning, networking opportunities, and unique school visits. NCLC 2024 offers two in-person ticket types as below:
- May 2: Main Conference: $189
- May 2-3: Main Conference + School Visit: $239
In-person tickets are limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Coffee/tea breaks, lunch, and networking reception are included at the main conference. Pre-registration & fee required for school visits.
Note: All ticket sales are final. Once a ticket has been purchased, we are unable to offer exchanges or refunds, except under special circumstances that will be communicated as necessary.
Sessions & Speakers
9:00-9:30 am | Registration and Expo
Light breakfast and coffee/tea will be provided at the Expo area
9:30-9:45 am | Welcome Remarks
- Kyung-wha Kang, President and CEO, Asia Society
9:45-10:30 am | [Keynote] Harnessing AI for Education so All Students Benefit
AI is nascent technology, but we already find ourselves at a crossroads. Will we amplify AI's benefits equally across society? Or will we allow an AI gap to form that leaves some students out? Sal Khan, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Khan Academy, talks about the potential for AI to transform education. He’ll discuss his plan for using AI to help empower all students to reach their full potential and assist teachers so they can focus on the very human work of instructing a classroom full of kids. Imagine an entire generation activated, engaged and exploring new ideas, creating change bigger than any of us can imagine.
- Sal Khan, Founder and CEO, Khan Academy
10:30-11:15 am | Redefining Horizons: Embracing AI Responsibly in Education
Join us for a visionary panel discussion that delves into the pressing questions facing educators in the rapidly evolving age of AI: How can we leverage the transformative potential of AI to achieve learning goals while ensuring inclusive and responsible approaches? How can we adapt existing teaching and learning pathways to cultivate empowered young digital citizens? Industry experts will share pioneering initiatives and insights on how educators and institutions can productively and safely engage with AI technologies.
- Jonathan McKay, Head of Product, Growth, OpenAI
- Emily Reid, CEO, AI4ALL
- Yvette Renteria, Chief Program Officer of Common Sense
- Moderator: Jacob Ward, Technology Journalist
11:15-11:45 am | The Power of Language: Consequences of Bilingualism for Cognition and the Brain
Bilingualism and multilingualism have profound consequences for individuals and societies. Learning multiple languages changes not only how we use language but also how we perceive the world, what we remember, how we learn, our creativity, decision-making, and identity. The speaker will present eye-tracking, mouse-tracking, and neuroimaging evidence showing that multiple languages continuously interact in the mind, and will conclude with a call for placing the study of language-mind interaction and bi/multilingualism among the core areas of scientific investigation if we are to gain an accurate understanding of humanity’s potential.
- Viorica Marian, Professor, Ralph and Jean Sundin Endowed Chair, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Department of Psychology; Director, Bilingualism and Psycholinguistics Research Lab, Northwestern University
12:15 -12:45 pm | Voices of Change: Shaping AAPI Narratives for the Next Generation
This fireside chat will delve into the multifaceted approaches taken by students and educators to integrate AAPI stories into broader narratives. By focusing on storytelling, the development of inclusive lesson plans, and creative educational methodologies, the panel will illuminate the pathways through which AAPI voices are being amplified. Attendees will gain insights into overcoming challenges, engaging communities, and leveraging educational frameworks to challenge stereotypes and broaden the narrative landscape.
- Mina Fedor, AAPI Youth Rising, Founder and Executive Director
- Giannela Gonzales, Project Coordinator and Curriculum Developer, The Asian American Education Project
- Moderator: Jennifer Kapral, Director, Education and Outreach, Asia Society Texas Center
1:15-2:15 pm | Seeking Strength in Changing Times: Advocacy for World Language Education
California has led the way for the nation on many fronts, and world language advocacy is no exception. After a review of national-level advocacy work, leaders from across California will discuss on-the-ground K-16 advocacy efforts and success, as well as challenges, they have met in efforts to ensure world language opportunities for students at the school, district and state levels. They will explore questions such as: What strategies have worked to gain support of parents, community, and policymakers in changing times? How do we gain strength for educational goals by building allies and partnerships outside our own domain?
- Moderator: Margaret Peterson, Executive Director, California World Language Project, Stanford University
- Ying Jin, Executive Director, CLASS; Teacher, Cupertino High School
- Ann Jordan, Advocacy Chair of CA Language Teachers Association
- Eddie Park, Director of Global Languages and Innovative Programs, Poway Unified School District
- National Context Presenter: Linda Egnatz, President, Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL)
1:15-2:15 pm | Enhancing the Integration of Chinese Culture in K-12 Language Classrooms
This session brings four panelists dedicated to exploring effective approaches to enhance the integration of Chinese culture in K-12 language classrooms. The panel will provide a general overview of a systematic, yet practical initiative that aims for establishing foundational understandings and implementing effective strategies for K-12 Chinese language classrooms, envisioned by China Institute in America, and co-designed with East China Normal University. The panel will then delve into case studies showcasing lesson plans on cultural topics including Chinese music, mythology, and paintings that highlight successful strategies for culture and language learning. Participants will gain insights into the practical applications backed by evidence and feedback from real classroom implementations. In addition, a panelist will focus on strategies pacing the six AP Chinese language and culture themes across grade levels to ensure a cohesive vertical articulation. The panel will also invite participants to join a discussion to explore innovative ways to infuse Chinese cultural richness into language education in the age of advanced technology, assisting instructional design and creating an engaging learning experience for students.
- Moderator: Shenzhan Liao, Senior Vice President, Education, China Institute in America, New York
- Baocai Jia, Retired Teacher and Department Chair, Cupertino High School, CA
- Ren Li, Chinese language teacher, Brockton High School in Massachusetts
- Ting Zhang, Chinese language teacher, CA
2:30-3:30 pm | Reimagining Global Exchange: New Realities in Student Exchanges and School Partnerships
Bringing together experts in international education, school leadership, and cross-border collaborations, this discussion will focus on innovative approaches to reinvigorating student exchanges and building robust partnerships in the post-pandemic world. Panelists will share insights into the current state and future prospect of educational, cultural, and people to people exchanges with the Chinese speaking world, including consideration of the role of US-China relations and the broader international context, as well as innovative models for student learning, school and institutional partnerships.
- Moderator: Chris Livaccari, Head of School, Presidio Knolls School
- Katharine Carruthers, Director of the Centre for Chinese Language Education at the Institute of Education (IOE), University College London
- Madelyn Ross, President, US-China Education Trust
- Wenting Wang, Director of Academics, Yu Ming Charter School
- Jie Zhang, Executive Director of The Chinese Language Teachers Association, USA (CLTA-USA); Associate Professor, University of Oklahoma
2:30-3:30 pm | Language Certification and Validation: A Pathway to Addressing the Multilingual Needs of Our Workforce
Professionals need the ability to communicate with their clients in a variety of languages and interact in a variety of cultural contexts. As such there is a great interest and need for tools that certify language and culture competence in a variety of settings. A range of digital assessments, AI tools and credentialing/badging processes will be explored in this session with the goal of demonstrating how these innovative approaches to certifying language and culture competency benefit both learners and those organizations that seek to expand their multilingual workforce.
- Moderator: Shuhan Wang, President, ELE Consulting International
- Linda Jingfang Cai, People Executive, Talent Advisor & Leadership Author
- Linda Egnatz, Executive Director, Global Seal of Biliteracy
- Zhongqi Shi, President of The Chinese Language Teachers Association, USA (CLTA-USA); Columbia University
2:30-4:00 pm | CLASS Swap Shop—The Future Speaks Mandarin: A Journey into Cutting-edge Chinese Language Education
- Facilitators: Lan Lin & Yan Wang, CLASS
- Hai Zheng Olefsky, Associate Director of International Program, St. Stephen's Episcopal School, TX
- Yanan Vrudny, Chinese Teacher, Henry M. Gunn High School, CA
- Jing Zhou, Mandarin Chinese Teacher, Sewickley Academy, NC
- Xinjia Xia, Mandarin Teacher, Piedmont High School & Piedmont Middle School, CA
- Jingyi Bian, Elementary Mandarin Immersion Teacher, Ontario-Montclair School District, CA
- Freya Li, Chinese Teacher, Fremont Union High School District, CA
- Jie Bai, Teacher, Cupertino High School, CA
- Bernice Wei, Mandarin Teacher, Los Altos High School, CA
3:45-5:00 pm | Themed Roundtables & Networking
Join interactive discussion on key topics and meet with fellow educators and exhibitors (more details to come)
School Visits
Date and Time: Friday, May 3 (departure time in the morning varies for each route)
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the host schools for opening their doors to showcase their well-established programs. The guided immersive visit will include classroom observations, in-depth conversations, and Q&A time. The visit usually lasts 2-4 hours, starting in the morning and wrapping up around noon or early afternoon.
To visit these remarkable schools, please ensure you register for a ticket corresponding to the specific school you wish to visit. Kindly note that each attendee can only choose one school to visit, and spots for each school visit route are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to register early to secure your spot for this unique and insightful experience.
Transportation: We will arrange bus transportation for visitors who prefer to travel with the group on May 3. Unless otherwise notified, buses will depart from and return to the conference hotel, Shashi Hotel Mountain View, near the Computer History Museum. Parking and transportation Instructions for each route will be sent to registered attendees later.
NCLC is glad to feature visits to the following schools listed in alphabetical order (click "Show More" to learn each of the school highlights):
Cherrywood Elementary School
Chinese American International School
College Park Elementary School
French American International School
John Muir Elementary School
Orion Alternative and Mandarin Immersion School
Presidio Knolls School
Shu Ren International School
Silicon Valley International School
Yu Ming Charter School
Venue & Hotel
Sponsorship
Interested in sponsoring NCLC? Sponsoring NCLC is a great way to increase your brand exposure and connect with our wonderful community of educators. We will work with you to determine a sponsorship tier and marketing opportunities that meet your needs. Please contact us for more information via <[email protected]>.
Thank you to our sponsors
Chinese Plus
Bank of China U.S.A.
The Center for Bridging Cultures
Avant Assessment
Better Chinese
China Books
Harvest International Education
HIBA Academy Bay Area
Level Learning
Real Asia
Sing in Chinese
Vista Higher Learning
Register Now
In-person tickets are SOLD OUT! Limited virtual tickets are available by April 26.
Conference Venue
Computer History Museum
1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043
Contact <[email protected]> should you have any questions.