Q & A

EZ2LearnChinese is developed by Pacific Bridge Education and Culture Foundation (PBECF). Dedicated to promoting teaching Chinese as a second language and intercultural exchange, PBECF bases its series of programs on ideas of innovation, promptness, practicality, and simplicity. Our pedagogy is two-folded:

The theories of EZ2LearnChinese’s curriculum design:

· “Learning Chinese as a Second Language” is our principle in curriculum design and teaching activities.

· The content of each curriculum will vary according to students’ ages and levels of proficiency.

· There will be a preparatory program for students with “zero” Chinese background.

· The textbooks are designed with our ideas of innovation, promptness, practicality, and simplicity. They include elements of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural identity.

· By situational story-telling and lively interactions with students, EZ2LearnChinese will trigger students’ learning motives. Students will love Chinese

· Our main goal is to teach you how to listen, speak, read, and write Chinese in a shortest time and a fastest way.

EZ2LearnChinese’s textbooks

· Pin-yin: We employ the “Pin-yin” phonetic system.

· Reading: We integrate the learning of traditional and simplified Chinese.

· Handwriting: We practice the simplified Chinese characters.

· Calligraphy writing: We practice the traditional Chinese characters.

Q2. Which textbooks and teaching materials are used for this program? Are they different from that of the traditional weekend Chinese school?

EZ2LearnChinese’s elementary school program offers seven levels of classes: Preparatory Level, Elementary Level I, Elementary Level II, Intermediate Level I, Intermediate Level II, Advanced Level I and Advanced Level II. Each level runs a year. There are three terms in a year. Each term lasts ten weeks.

Preparatory Level classes, which run a year, are suitable for those who have “Zero” Chinese background, those who are non-Chinese, and K-6 students who do not speak Chinese at home.

Elementary Level classes, which contains Level I and Level II, last two years. They are suitable for those who have learned Chinese for zero to two years.

Intermediate Level classes, which contains Level I and Level II, last two years. They are suitable for those who have learned Chinese for three to four years.

Advanced Level classes are suitable for those who have learned Chinese for five to six years.

For each level mentioned above, we use two sets of textbooks with both simplified and traditional Chinese versions. Students can choose whichever version they like. With supplementary teaching materials, students are able to integrate simplified Chinese with traditional Chinese.

The two sets of textbooks are edited by standards of learning Chinese as a Second Language. For vocabulary, the textbooks have Chinese-English vocabulary contrast list with English interpretation.
None of the weekend Chinese schools have ever used these two sets of textbooks.
Most weekend Chinese schools are administered by semester year calendar, while EZ2Learn Chinese program goes by trimester system. Thus, three textbooks are used in a year.
EZ2Learn Chinese program employs full-time teachers who have received training and have been screened. They teach four or five days a week.

Q3. What is Pacific Bridge Education and Culture Foundation about? What is the relationship between PBECF and the Fremont School district? Is it sponsored by the government?

The origin of Pacific Bridge Education and Culture Foundation – founders Ms. Lily Wei and Ms. Louise Gu

Ms. Lily Wei, founder of Hann-Sing Chinese Association in Fremont, and Ms. Louise Gu, founder of Yellow River Chinese School and Long River Education Center, have both worked in Chinese education for over ten years. They have been the evergreen and are among the few of the pioneers in overseas Chinese education, hands-on practicing and handling school and instructional administration, from the primitive start-up stage to where it is now relatively well established. They have both witnesses the evolution of overseas Chinese learning, from the earliest time when the simple goal was not to let go of our Chinese root and learned whatever we could handle; to nowadays Chinese has become as important as a foundation skill and must be mastered well to excel in today’s competitive world. Thorough relentless discussion and exchange of ideas, the two have decided to introduce after-school Chinese programs in public elementary schools in Fremont, leveraging the support of the School District. The program consists of two-day Chinese learning classes and a one-day Chinese culture and arts elective class, together forms a three-day Chinese learning core program.

The path to Pacific Bridge Education and Culture Foundation’s establishment

After the above-mentioned proposal was announced in the newspaper and TV (Channel 26), it gained wide popularity and support from the public. Through numerous discussions, we think it would be best if we can further expand the existing resource of Chinese education in northern America. Hence, we decided to establish a foundation instead of a Chinese school to have more professionals and enthusiasts involved. On the fourteenth of November, Ms. Lily Wei and Ms. Louise Gu invited dedicated Chinese educators Jin-Yin Tsao, Betty Yuan, Tsai-Wei Wu, Jiin-Hwa Shiau and Daniel Lin to build up Pacific Bridge Education and Culture Foundation in Fremont. The objectives, organizational regulations, activities, and administration were all set up. The following are the main objectives of PBECF:

Main goal

By gathering together domestic and overseas resource in workforce and solutions, we strive to promote overseas Chinese teaching. Thus, Chinese culture will be extensively acknowledged to local people and so will harmony among different races in the Pacific region be generated.

Statement

Pacific Bridge Education and Culture Foundation (PBECF) believes that the goal of language teaching is to obtain communications and recognitions and eliminate rivalry and isolation among humans.

Pacific Bridge Education and Culture Foundation (PBECF) is a non-profit organization. By teaching Chinese, editing textbooks, and publishing teaching materials, PBECF aims to enhance the effects of Chinese teaching and promote Chinese education.

Short-term objective

To promote EZ2Learn Chinese program with the focus of Chinese as a Second Language in public elementary schools.
To form a project team specifying course content, pedagogy, and teacher training

Mid-term objective

To promote AP Chinese classes and Chinese credit classes in high schools.

To develop a way to connect the learning of Chinese at K-12 with that of AP Chinese classes

To provide teacher training for Chinese AP classes

To collaborate with public school districts for a variety of activities

Long-term objective

After its success in Fremont, Bay Area of northern California, EZ2Learn Chinese will extend its program to other school districts and states. The ultimate goal is to establish EZ2Learn Chinese program teaching network and chain learning centers or Chinese schools.

To offer EZ2Learn Chinese program in adult schools or community centers for adults.
To offer fast-learning Chinese conversation classes such as Business Chinese, Travel Chinese, and Chinese for overseas study
To offer scholarship to graduate students or Ph. D. candidates whose thesis/ dissertation is related to subjects like “Teaching Chinese Overseas.”
To hold seminars on Chinese literature, culture and arts
To provide cultural travel activities such as “Path of the Silk,” “Dream of Tang Dynasty,” etc.

In brief, Pacific Bridge Education and Culture Foundation is a non-profit cultural and educational organization. It is committed to promoting Chinese teaching and intercultural activities. PBECF has not received any fund from the government or other non-profit organization. Fortunately, the commissioner and general supervisor at the Fremont School District gave us great support and recognized this “After School Enrichment Program.”

Q4. Why is your curriculum divided into 3 sections, unlike the annual semester programs offered by the weekend Chinese schools?

In order to make students feel that they can reach their goals easily, and make apparent progress each term, we design our curriculum on a ten-week basis. Besides, such design is easy to control and flexible. Elementary school students would feel more accomplished if they can finish three think books rather than one thick book in a year. Most importantly, we want to break the myths of Chinese being a tough language to learn. The main idea is to create an interesting and fun learning environment.

Q5. Is this program designed for children who have never attended Chinese schools?

The textbooks, divided into 21 levels, start with preparatory level. Therefore, they are suitable for learners of all levels.

Q6. If my child is already attending the weekend Chinese school, how can he/she benefit from your program? How do you group and level the students?

We have placement tests. As mentioned above, our program is divided into 21 levels. Therefore, students can always find a level that best meets their proficiency.

Q7. In general, what is the key difference between your program and the existing Chinese school programs?

EZ2Learn Chinese program differs from existing Chinese school programs in five aspects:

Teaching theory: We teach Chinese as a Second Language. Innovation, promptness, practicality, and simplicity are our principles.
Academic calendar: We use the trimester system, which is more flexible.
Textbooks: Our textbooks are developed by a professional team. They are not only based on teaching theories but also on the experience of teaching Chinese as a Second Language.
Teaching methods: EZ2Learn Chinese program breaks the myths of Chinese being a tough language to learn because we utilize situational interaction in teaching. Students learn how to listen, speak, read, and write by telling, listening, and reading stories.
Teacher qualifications: All teachers receive 20 hours of full training. After the training, teachers must pass a test to be hired. All teachers are full-time and experienced teachers, teaching at least four days a week.

Q8. Do teachers for EZ2LearnChinese attend special training program? How do you recruit program certified teachers?

All teachers must receive 20 hours of full training. After the training, teachers must pass a test to be hired. All teachers are full-time and experienced teachers, teaching at least four days a week.

Q9. Is EZ2LearnChinese a laddered program? Will you be offering programs that will cover K-12?

EZ2LearnChinese program is designed systematically for elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and adults. We already finished the program for elementary schools. We are designing the programs for junior and senior high schools. For high schools, we will have AP Chinese classes and credit classes. The founders of Pacific Bridge Education and Culture Foundation, Ms. Lily Wei and Ms. Louise Gu, are also the founders of Hann-sing Chinese School and Yellow River Chinese School respectively. Both schools offer K-12 classes.

Q10. How do you group your class? Do you have placement tests? How do you evaluate students’ learning?

We have placement tests. Students receive study evaluation report when each term ends.

Q11. What are the highlights or key differentiators for EZ2LearnChinese? Why so?

Please refer to Item 6’s response.

Q12. What can I expect my child to accomplish after attending one session of your program? What level of Chinese language proficiency can my child attain after attending your programs from grade 1 to 6?

We have set up different learning targets for each level. In each learning target, we specified the amount of vocabulary, phases, and sentence patterns the students need to learn. We also provide student’s study report to the parents. For example, students will have learned 1,200 daily words and 200 sentence patterns from K to 6. They will also be able to speak, write, listen, and read Chinese at their age levels.

Q13. Why is listening and speaking covered in one in program while reading and writing in another?

We designed such methodology based on our teaching experiences and the three theories in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. By systematically dividing the four skills, both teachers and students will be able to reach their goals more easily and efficiently. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are of equal importance. If the four skills are not distinguished from one another, the teaching of listening and speaking will be overridden by that of reading and writing, which is easier to accomplish. For foreign language teaching, listening and speaking abilities must be solidified before rooting the reading and writing skills.

Q14. What do you offer in your culture elective classes?

Our EP classes emphasize on artistic training and activities. They include a) cultural PE such as bell-pulling, Kung Fu, and Tai-chi; b) traditional handcrafts like Chinese knotting, 捏麵人、紙雕, paper cutting, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, tea custom, Chinese opera, etc. We integrate the elements of cultural identity in our regular classes.

Q15. Do you observe spring break and teacher in service day? Do you have school in those occasions? How do you consider this in your fee schedule?

Our calendars follow the school’s calendar. We will have no class when school is off. Take Spring Break for example, we will postpone the program a week. The length of the program will still be 10 weeks. For personal leave, we will have make-up classes or deduct part of the tuition.

Q16. Will your program’s equal emphasis on simplified and traditional Chinese become a burden for the students? How do you plan to teach both? Is your textbook based on Simplified or traditional Chinese?

Essence teaching is EZ2Learn Chinese program’s goal. Though we integrate traditional and simplified Chinese, on the whole, it will not add up to your child’s learning load. Among the 1,200 daily words that students are supposed to gain from K to 6, only 200 of them have simplified versions. We will teach the rules of simplified characters and teach students how to contrast the two systems. We teach students who are familiar with simplified Chinese to read articles in traditional Chinese, and vice versa. The textbook we are using has two versions: one in simplified Chinese with Pin-yin; the other in traditional Chinese with Pin-yin. We provide supplementary teaching materials to help students recognize both systems.

Q17. My child has been learning traditional Chinese. Will the child get confused should you use textbooks developed in simplified Chinese only? Will they decrease their traditional Chinese skill?

We already integrated these two systems in our curriculum design. Therefore, students will acquire the capability of identifying both systems. No matter the textbook is written in traditional Chinese or simplified Chinese, students’ learning will not be affected. Neither will they get confused, nor will they lose the ability to recognize traditional/ simplified Chinese.

Q18. In addition to the character difference between the textbooks from Mainland China and Taiwan; the differences in expression can be quite challenge for the child. How do you resolve this issue?

WE will provide supplementary materials to compare the different expressions between Mainland China and Taiwan. Your child might be able to explain the differences for you after learning our EZ2Learn Chinese program.

Q19. How will my child adapt to EZ2LearnChinese program if he/she has been learning Chinese phonics?

Please refer to Item 17’s instruction. Because we already designed a transition pattern for these students, they will adapt themselves to such transition quickly. Furthermore, the students already knew how to spell an English word based on its pronunciation; it is easy for them to transfer the Chinese phonic to Pin-yin. Many schools already experienced such transition and found it to be smooth and easy.

Q20. What is your refund policy if we decide to drop-out after one to two weeks?

We will refund 50% of the tuition if you drop within four weeks after school begins. We will refund 40% of the tuition if you drop between the fourth and the sixth weeks. We will not refund after the sixth week.

Q21. Do I still need to take my child to the weekend Chinese school if we participate in your program?

Generally speaking, EZ2Learn Chinese program offers four to six hours of class per week. The class meet time is not less than weekend Chinese schools. If your child refuse to attend two Chinese learning programs at the same time, you do not have to force him/her to go to the weekend Chinese school. However, if your child likes weekend Chinese school because he/she can make friends and have more social activities, he/she can still go to the weekend Chinese school.

Q22. How do parents get involved when signing up their child for EZ2LearnChnese program? Will there be exams or homework that requires parent participation?

If parents can help with homework in speaking and listening using audio tapes, the effect of learning will double. Most of EZ2Learn Chinese program’s homework will be completed in class because it will be fun and efficient for students to work together. We assign little or no homework. Our examinations stress on lessons review in unity. All parents have to do is to encourage their children to learn so that they will enjoy learning.

Q23. Recognizing the growing importance of learning modern Chinese, would it be possible that parents can sit in the classroom with our child?)

Parents are more than welcome to do so, especially for those whose mother tongue is not Chinese. If the parents would like to have their own textbooks, they will have to buy one; no tuition will be charged.

Q24. If my child is less sociable and has never learned Chinese, can I sit by my child to assist his/her learning?

We welcome parents to observe or sit in class, or be the teacher’s aide. But please keep quiet in class and cooperate with the teacher. Please do not bring toddlers or babies to the classrooms.

Q25. If my child attended your program for a couple of years but needed to discontinue, do you think my child will have learning gap returning to attend the traditional weekend Chinese school?

As mentioned above, continuity is ensured. Weekend Chinese schools such as Hann-Sing, Yellow River and Long River will provide assistance.

Q26. If my Child is already proficient in Chinese listening and speaking, can they be waived for listening and speaking program?

Not unless your child’s mother tongue is Chinese or Mandarin. Children born in the US have never received formal training in listening and speaking. Our listening and speaking classes include elements of cultural identity, read-aloud, picture description and story-telling. You do not want to miss them!

Q27. Do you have teachers specialized for the cultural elective classes? What classes do you offer? How many programs are available for us to choose? Can we only choose one or can we choose multiple programs?

Like all weekend Chinese schools, we hire professional cultural elective class teachers for different cultural elective classes. As stated in Item 14, we offer different cultural elective classes each semester. An cultural elective class schedule will be announced at the beginning of each semester. Students can take only one cultural elective class per semester, which meets every Friday for two hours.

Q28. I earnestly hope that my child can attend the EZ2Learn Chinese program. However, I am afraid that I cannot afford the tuition. Is there any way that I can apply for financial aid?

Pacific Bridge Foundation is a non-profit organization. We aim to promote Chinese learning. If you really like to take part in our program, we will discuss your financial situation with you and try to see what we can do to lower your tuition to a level that you can afford.