Abstract
Yale–China Chinese Language Centre (CLC) is a unit specialized in teaching Chinese as a second language (CSL). CLC offers credit-bearing Putonghua courses for local students, international full-time undergraduate (IUG) students, and exchange students, as well as non-credit-bearing Putonghua courses for students since 2017 (TDLEG 2016-19). In addition to formal classes, need analysis conducted in 2018 shows that students also need more learning supports, such as tutoring sessions and other learning aids associated with the formal curriculum. This is the area CLC managed to make certain improvement and got very positive feedback from students with TDLEG support in 2018-19. To be in line with University’s vision which states the importance of “bilingual and multicultural” abilities and foster internationalization within CUHK, this project aims at maintaining and substantially expanding the tutoring system in the 2019-22 triennium. One teaching assistant (TA) and at most half a dozen student helpers are needed each term in this project. They will be led by the representatives from CLC Putonghua division. This project will continue to benefit both IUG and exchange students studying at CUHK.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
The objective was to improve and expand the tutorial system piloted in 2018-19. Interactive sessions and workshops were to be expanded from level 1 to level 2 Chinese-as-a-Second Language courses at the University Programme Division of the Yale–China Chinese Language Centre (CLC).
Activities, process and outcomes
Due to the Covid pandemic, this tutorial system adapted to the changing situation to ensure a smooth transition from in-person to online mode. Student helpers were recruited to provide timely assistance by leading practice sessions in breakout rooms during lectures and after lectures. “Alternate Arrangements” (originally workshops) were led by teaching assistants to help students work on Chinese character and grammar.
Deliverables and evaluation
This project managed to improve the tutorial system at level 1 and expanded to level 2. Existing materials were updated and archived each term to improve the quality of teaching next term. Material updates drew from internal reflection, new course content, teachers’ requests, and most importantly, student feedback. Total number of tutorial sessions offered per school term ranged from 89 to 164, depending on number of enrollments. Overwhelmingly positive feedback has been collected from students, helpers, and CLC staff alike, at the end of each school term.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
The project has been shared at the CUHK Teaching and Learning Innovation Expo (2021), as well as CLC teacher training workshops, and some good practices have been adopted by another division within CLC to improve their student learning experience.
Impact on teaching and learning
Teaching has been improved as a result of strong collaboration between tutorial and lecture, and learners received personalized help in their studies of spoken Putonghua and written Chinese.
