Plenary Two

Authentic Materials in Traditional and Virtual Chinese Language Instruction

Thursday, June 25, 10:00–11:00 p.m.

Developing and using authentic materials in world language classrooms is an essential aspect of instruction and learning. Authentic materials allow learners to interact with languages and cultures in relevant, contemporary, and relatable ways. This plenary will bring together a group of educators who use innovative methods to integrate authentic materials in Chinese language and culture. Panelists will discuss best practices on developing, identifying, and incorporating authentic materials and will provide examples on how they have done so. Panelists will also address best practices on using authentic materials in the online learning environment and how technology itself is a rich source of dynamic and evolving authentic materials.

Speakers

• Sara Chao, Mandarin Teacher, New Trier Township High School; Board Member, CLASS
• Luyi Lien, Academic Director, Yinghua Academy
• Charlene Polio, Professor and Associate Chair, Linguistics & Germanic, Slavic, Asian, & African Languages, Michigan State University
• Yang Zhao, Professor and Dean of the School of Chinese as a Second Language, Peking University

Moderator

• Paul Sandrock, Director of Education, ACTFL

About the Speakers

Sara Chao
Mandarin Teacher, New Trier Township High School
Board Member, CLASS

Sara Chao has been teaching since 2000. She currently teaches Mandarin at New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Illinois. Ms. Chao has been actively involved in STARTALK programs in Illinois and Massachusetts where she has successfully managed teacher and student programs since 2007. She is currently serving on the board for Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS).

Luyi Lien
Academic Director, Yinghua Academy

Dr. Lien has over 30 years of experience in teaching, writing, and planning curriculum for both heritage students and non-native Mandarin learners in grades K through 12. She is a recognized pioneer in Chinese immersion education and has served in the critical role of Academic Director of Yinghua Academy since the school was founded in 2006. She is the chief architect of the curriculum for the Mandarin immersion school, including creating and designing the curriculum and assessment tools for grades K through 8, as well as online high school courses and immersion study abroad programs. Her strengths lie in balancing balance idealism with practicality, constantly endeavoring to translate complicated research-based theories into effective teaching practice. She has been working with several immersion schools to assist in building a foundation for immersion curriculum that employs a project-based learning approach, along with data-driven instruction to solidify content learning and advance target language proficiency level.

Charlene Polio
Professor and Associate Chair, Linguistics & Germanic, Slavic, Asian, & African Languages, Michigan State University

Charlene Polio (Professor; B.A. University of Pennsylvania; 1983; M.S. University of Pennsylvania; 1984; Ph.D. UCLA, 1992) specializes in the area of second language writing and research methodology. In addition, she has published studies on discourse patterns of preservice and experienced teachers. Professor Polio's publications appear in various journals including Studies in Second Language Acquisition, The Modern Language Journal, TESOL Quarterly, and Journal of Second Language Writing as well as several edited volumes. She has recently published two books, one on research methods for L2 writing, with Debra Friedman, and one on using authentic materials, with Eve Zyzik. She has served on the editorial boards of TESOL Quarterly and the Journal of Second Language Writing. She is the co-editor of TESOL Quarterly. Professor Polio has also taught ESL for several years in academic programs both in the US and China, and has had much practical experience in the area of language assessment.

Yang Zhao
Professor and Dean of the School of Chinese as a Second Language, Peking University

Yang Zhao, PhD (Cantab), Professor and Dean of the School of Chinese as a Second Language, Peking University, China. His research interests include second language acquisition, generative grammar and sociolinguistics. He has published two monographs, two works of translation and numerous articles in academic journals.

About the Moderator

Paul Sandrock
Director of Education, ACTFL

Paul directs ACTFL’s professional development and initiatives around standards, curriculum, instruction, and performance assessment.  While at ACTFL, Paul has facilitated the revision of the national World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages and the NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements, and before that was a member of the original Integrated Performance Assessment development team. Previously, Paul was Assistant Director of Content and Learning at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), coordinating the areas of English language arts, mathematics, international education, and world languages. He earlier served as the Wisconsin DPI statewide consultant for world languages. Paul taught Spanish for 16 years in middle school and high school and authored The Keys to Assessing Language Performance as well as Planning Curriculum for Learning World Languages.