As our Mandarin teacher just passed the mid point of her first year here, I wanted to ask her to reflect on what the experience has been like for her. She has made great strides in the short time that she has been here, garnering the praise of the faculty who have seen how quickly students are picking up this very different language.

Wang Tian writes:

Today, as usual, I went to my second grade class. After I sat down on the chair, Colin, a second grader, suddenly said, “your glasses are different!” I was surprised. I didn’t expect the kids could sense the difference.

Every week, I spend just 20 minutes in their classrooms teaching such a new and difficult language. (Of course, I don’t think it is difficult, but most foreign learners say that it is). And then I realize that maybe I am already part of their school life and that Chinese is too.
 
Time flies. I have been teaching Chinese at Mounds Park Academy for four months. Half of the school year has gone. Teaching well is my job and responsibility, and having so much fun with the students is bonus.

Wang Tian (Tina) teaching a middle school Mandarin class

 
When I first came here, most of the students here knew little about Chinese and China. They were like pieces of blank paper. How should I begin a beautiful painting of my language and my country? That was the question I was always thinking about.  

I believe “well begun, half done”, but “everything is difficult before it is easy.” I read many textbooks, searched for some information on the Internet and got advice from my mentor and other teachers. These efforts turned out to bring good results.
 
Now, when I walk in the hallway, I greet students in Chinese. They respond to me with “ni hao” (“hi” in Chinese). They can count in Chinese, and they can sing in Chinese. One of my students feels Chinese is not as hard as before. When I show the pictures of China, some of them say, “I would like to go to China.” I am so happy with these changes.

I should admit that the students here are great. They are always active and respond to me well.  Part of my confidence in teaching Chinese here is from them.  They make me believe that my language and the knowledge about my country can enlarge their vision and bring them some fun.
 
Thanks to all the staff who have helped me with the Mandarin Chinese program, and all the parents who support me and encourage me, especially my host families.
 
- Wang Tian (Mandarin Chinese teacher)
 
P.S. Some may get confused about my name. My family name is Wang. Tian is my given name. In China, family names go first. My friends call me Wang Tian. But students call me Wang lao shi (“teacher” in Chinese). And Tina is my English name. When I was in university, my teacher called me Tina in the English class.
 
So you may call me Wang Tian, Tian(American way), or Tina. Students: please call me Wang lao shi. Complicated!

As pioneers in the NAIS and HANBAN collaborative, Wang Tian and I have been invited to present on our program at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Conference in Denver. Our program is serving as a model for Independent Schools across the country. Thanks to Wang Tian!

For more information on last summer’s NAIS and HANBAN experience, click here for China Blog.