ACTFL 2015

Chinese Language Curricula

What are key components of effective curricula? What curricula are available and needed?

In this session, presenters shared curriculum resources at the national, state, and local levels collected by CELIN (Chinese Early Language and Immersion Network) at Asia Society. Additionally, they described critical components of effective curricula:

1. A focus on students’ ability to participate in real-world contexts and activities
2. Articulated learning outcomes based on various program types for K–12 learners

Curricula to Prepare Students of Chinese for Participation in the Real World
Yu-Lan Lin, Executive Director, Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools

Effective curricula that prepare students for effective participation in real-world contexts are aligned with the World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, the Common Core State Standards, and the 21st Century Skills Standards. Curricula promote students’ ability to perform at high levels in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, in interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational tasks. Slides

Mapping Chinese Language Learning Outcomes in Grades K–12
Jianhua Bai, Professor of Chinese, Kenyon College; Director, Chinese School, Middlebury College

Establishing learning outcomes is a critical component of curriculum, instructional strategies, and ongoing evaluation of student performance and program success. This presentation describes sample learning outcomes, based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, for students in immersion programs (grades K–7) and world language programs (grades 6–12). Slides

Curriculum Frameworks and Resources From CELIN
Joy Peyton, Senior Project Associate, CELIN

A clear need in the field of Chinese language education is for educators to have access to curricula, curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, and other resources that they can use and adapt. This presentation describes such resources that are available from CELIN. Slides