In response to an urgent need in the field of Chinese language education for research-based information, examples of best practices, and resources useful for administrators, teachers, and parents, the Chinese Early Language and Immersion Network (CELIN), part of Asia Society’s China Learning Initiatives, has launched a series of briefs addressing different aspects of Chinese language education. Although these briefs have a focus on elementary school programs (kindergarten through eighth grade), the content and discussion are applicable to the study of Chinese in secondary school and postsecondary programs in colleges and universities.

The CELIN Briefs provide a synthesis of research, experience, and strategies in a specific topic area, with available references and resources. The authors of the briefs are scholars and experienced educators who are recognized experts in the field of Chinese language education. The CELIN Briefs are available in both English and Chinese. A flyer with succinct information about the briefs can also be downloaded and shared.

School administrators, policymakers, and teachers who need to make decisions about how to design or implement Chinese language programs will find these briefs useful. They are also helpful to parents, researchers, and teacher educators. CELIN staff members plan to continue developing briefs in future years. We welcome your feedback on these briefs and would like to hear about the ways in which you are using them. To send your feedback and suggestions for future topics for CELIN Briefs, please email us at celin@asiasociety.org.

Shuhan Wang and Joy Kreeft Peyton, CELIN Briefs Editors

Making Middle and High School Mandarin Immersion Work

• Michael Bacon, Director, Department of Dual Language, Portland Public Schools
• Eric Schneider, Associate Superintendent, Minnetonka Public Schools

Download this brief in English.    Download this brief in Chinese.

Immersion Education: Creating an Integrated School Culture

• Jeffrey Bissell, Head of School, Chinese American International School, San Francisco, California
• Sue Berg, Executive Director, Yinghua Academy, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Download this brief in English.    Download this brief in Chinese.

Cultivating Teacher Leaders to Advance the Field of Chinese Language and Culture Education

• Robin E. Harvey, Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University
• Duarte M. Silva, Executive Director, California World Language Project, Stanford University

Download this brief in English.    Download this brief in Chinese.

You may view or download the accompanying presentation on our NCLC 2018 Conference Presentations page.

Recruiting and Supporting International Chinese Language Teachers in U.S. K–12 Programs

• Stacy Lyon, Director, Utah Chinese Dual Language Immersion

Download this brief in English.    Download this brief in Chinese.

Parents as Partners in Their Children's Chinese Immersion Education: Making Decisions and Providing Support

• Maquita Alexander, Executive Director, Washington YuYing Public Charter School
• Elizabeth Weise, Author, A Parent's Guide to Mandarin Immersion

Download this brief in English.    Download this brief in Chinese.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Elementary Chinese and Immersion Programs

• 
Rita A. Oleksak, Glastonbury Public Schools
• Betsy Hart, National Foreign Language Center


Download this brief in English.    Download this brief in Chinese.

Key Features of Effective Chinese Language Programs: A CELIN Checklist

• 
Shuhan C. Wang, Project Director, CELIN
• Joy K. Peyton, Senior Project Associate, CELIN


Download this brief in English.    Download this brief in Chinese.

Learning Chinese in the Digital Age

• Adam Ross, Chinese Content and Technology Specialist, Chinese American International School

• Jiahang Li, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
• Ann Marie Gunter, World Languages Consultant, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Download this brief in English.    Download this brief in Chinese.

Adam Ross, Chinese Content and Technology Specialist at the Chinese American School (CAIS) in San Francisco, gives more guidance on how technology can be used in language instruction and engage students in learning, using the SAMR model. Read More »

Designing and Implementing Chinese Language Programs: Preparing Students for the Real World

• Der-lin Chao, Professor, Head of Chinese Program, and Director of Chinese Flagship, Hunter College, City University of New York 

• David Kojo Hakam, Curriculum Specialist, Teacher, Portland Public Schools Chinese Flagship Program 

• Yu-Lan Lin, Executive Director, Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools

Download this brief in English.     Download this brief in Chinese.

Developing Initial Literacy in Chinese

• Michael E. Everson, Emeritus Associate Professor, University of Iowa 

• Kevin Chang, Director of Chinese Program, Chinese American International School 

• Claudia Ross, Professor of Chinese, College of the Holy Cross

Download this brief in English.     Download this brief in Chinese.

Mapping Chinese Language Learning Outcomes in Grades K–12

• 
Jianhua Bai, Professor of Chinese, Kenyon College; Director, Chinese School, Middlebury College
• Luyi Lien, Academic Director, Yinghua Academy

• Madeline K. Spring, Professor of Chinese, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa

Download this brief in English.     Download this brief in Chinese.