Wendy Owen
Shortage of Chinese language teachers in Oregon prompts virtual classes with educators in China
2/6/2011
Topic: Teaching Chinese through virtual classes
The Education Service District is planning to offer Mandarin Chinese language classes in Oregon taught by teachers in China, through online courses. The article discusses how Chinese is replacing other foreign languages in many Oregon schools, but since TSPC does not offer an endorsement in Chinese language, it is difficult to acquire licensed Chinese language teachers. Classes will cost $600 per semester, per student, with a maximum of 10 students per class. Intended Audience: the Beaverton school district, students wanting to learn Chinese.
Key Points:
-The program teachers are recent graduates, mostly working out of Beijing University
-State law does not require the teachers to be certified to teach in Oregon; however ESD will ensure all of their virtual teachers will hold a license.
-The Confucius Institute at PSU will provide teachers from China to schools who apply for the program. They will serve as full-time assistants to the Mandarin language teachers.
-myChinese360, the company providing the program, is planning on sending teachers to the United States in the near future.
Relevance: This article is relevant to some of the key ideas we have been talking about in class. The first is the idea of technology. I think this is a great example of how technology can be integrated with education. It is interesting to see how this program will influence the future of virtual classes and teachers. Also there is an interesting idea of cross cultural learning. In this instance, teachers from China will experience what it is like to teach to American students, and not only that, but a I feel a new “virtual culture” will spawn from this program—the idea of a virtual learning and virtual teaching, teaching while not being physically present amongst students.
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