teaching philosophy
New languages open up new worlds, and the world of the Chinese language is a vast and fascinating place for students interested in a variety of lifestyles and careers. My former Chinese language classmates work for employers as diverse as the US State Department, Ford Motor Company, the Washington Post, Operation Smile and Vice Media Group. You never know where your study of Chinese will take you, but it always adds an extra dimension to your personal, academic, and professional life. There is always more to learn — and at a time when the relationship between China and the United States may be more important than ever before, it is essential that we are able to understand each other.
I believe that every student can learn the Chinese language — that means reading, writing, listening, and speaking — effectively. I have seen many students from very different backgrounds be successful in doing so. To be successful, students need a teacher who listens to them and helps them find the best way to learn. I believe that students need to understand their own learning processes and what works for them. Students also need to keep going even when learning is difficult. Chinese is not easy, but it is also not impossible. Perseverance leads to success.
I am always open to new ideas in language pedagogy, and I have learned a great deal from working with other teachers, attending workshops, and reading recent research. There are a few constants that show up in many different theories of language acquisition, and I base my approach largely on these ideas and my experience implementing them with students:
I believe that every student can learn the Chinese language — that means reading, writing, listening, and speaking — effectively. I have seen many students from very different backgrounds be successful in doing so. To be successful, students need a teacher who listens to them and helps them find the best way to learn. I believe that students need to understand their own learning processes and what works for them. Students also need to keep going even when learning is difficult. Chinese is not easy, but it is also not impossible. Perseverance leads to success.
I am always open to new ideas in language pedagogy, and I have learned a great deal from working with other teachers, attending workshops, and reading recent research. There are a few constants that show up in many different theories of language acquisition, and I base my approach largely on these ideas and my experience implementing them with students:
- Students experience substantive contact time with comprehensible input in the language
- Language is broken into "building blocks" so students can manipulate it and create their own meaning
- Language builds naturally on itself through increasingly complex patterns, so students acquire language "like a snowball" ( in the words of Kenyon College Professor Jianhua Bai)
- New language patterns and vocabulary are introduced in context
- Students engage in active, meaningful, and social practice in the four domains (listening, reading, writing & speaking)
behavior EXPECTATIONSStudents are expected to:
If one of these expectations is not met:
Each student's "strikes" are cleared at the end of the school day, so each day is a clean slate, both in terms of policy and in terms of my approach to students. I will contact the parents/guardians of students who repeatedly do not meet expectations to work out a plan. technology usePlease refer to the Stowe Middle & High School Student Handbook and Technology Use Agreement for up-to-date school-wide technology policies. In Chinese class in particular, students may bring personal technology devices (cell phones, tablets, laptop computers, etc.) to class, but these devices must remain face-down on the table, closed, and silenced when class begins, unless the instructor specifies that technology may be used for a specific, instructionally relevant purpose.
trip policiesFor school-wide policies relating to field trips for SMS, please see page 13 of the Stowe Middle School handbook.
For school-wide policies relating to field trips for SHS, please see page 64 of the Stowe High School handbook. All school rules apply on field trips, including overnight and international field trips. Specific expectations will be outlined for each trip ahead of time; please contact Ms. Harris with any questions. |
grading policiesGrades in Chinese are calculated as a percentage of total points earned; final grades are determined based a school-wide weighting system for the middle school (3 trimesters) and the high school (4 quarters plus 2 exams). Students and families may access up-to-date grade information at any time through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Each assignment, quiz, test, and project is worth a certain number of points; students will be provided with rubrics when appropriate. Participation is also graded on a rubric and is equal to one test grade each marking period. HOMEWORK: Homework is graded for completion; that is to say, homework completed on time and according to directions receives full points. 6th grade — students who do not turn in homework receive a pink slip and are asked to make up the homework for reduced credit. 7th grade, 8th grade & high school — students who do not turn in homework receive a zero for that assignment. Late homework is not accepted unless the student makes arrangements with the teacher ahead of time, or if the student is out of school for an excused absence (i.e. due to sickness, athletics, family matters). In the event that a student misses class for any reason, it is the student's responsibility to connect with the teacher and/or a classmate and get caught up. All necessary handouts will be placed in an "absentee folder" in the classroom; students must pick up these items and turn in any homework as soon as they arrive back at school from an absence. The best way to find out what was missed is to check the website! QUIZZES & TESTS: There are no quiz or test retakes in Chinese class. EXTRA CREDIT: There are no extra credit assignments for Chinese class, but there may occasionally be extra credit questions on a quiz, test, or homework assignment. |