The Chinese Language Teachers Association Newsletter

News Update and New Jobs

(For March Issue, 2006)

This page only contains news items and job announcements which have missed the deadline of the current issue of the CLTA Newsletter, but need to be posted immediately or else will be out-of-date.

Prof. Tsung Chin Passed Away

Professor Tsung Chin: Dedicated teacher and CLTA member for nearly 40 years, recipient of the 2005 CLTA Walton Award, and founder of the Calligraphy Education Group (CEG), Dr. Tsung Chin passed away at the age of 80 on 8 April 2006. CLTA's eulogies will be posted soon. In the meantime, his beloved CEG bids a fond farewell.

The National Capital Language Resource Center (NCLRC) is hosting three exciting institutes for expanding the professional skills of Chinese teachers.

We are initiating these Chinese teacher institutes as part of our increasing focus on the teaching of Chinese and other Less Commonly Taught Languages. The institute descriptions and registration information can be found on our website at: http://nclrc.org/profdev/si2006.html#CHINESE

The institutes will all be held on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Hong Gang Jin, (of Hamilton College) Session will be held at George Washington University - Thursday, May 25
Cost: $75.00

Second language acquisition research has demonstrated that the effectiveness of classroom interaction is closely linked to the teacher’s ability to use questions to elicit communication. Furthermore, a teacher’s elicitation techniques can be improved through a systematic training program. This one-day workshop offers a three-stage interactive experience to help foreign language teachers to use questioning techniques effectively. The first stage involves understanding the types and functions of teachers' questions; the second stage engages the teachers in identifying and analyzing different types and effects of teachers' questions used in classroom teaching, and the last stage provides hands-on opportunities for teachers to practice using different types of questions to initiate and sustain classroom interaction through simulated and actual classroom teaching.

Chinese Language & Culture: Technology to Create Effective Learning Activities

Phyllis Zhang, George Washington University : Friday, May 26
Cost: $100.00
Technology provides convenient tools that allow language instructors to use a holistic approach in their language instruction and create activities that enhance learning processes and outcome. This institute starts with a demo of sample lessons (e.g. cultural slideshows, language exercises and games) made with PowerPoint (PPT), Flash, QuickTime Pro, DreamWeaver, and other audio/video tools. It then introduces basic techniques for preparing images, audio and video clips, and creating animated PPT slideshows and interactive web-based exercises. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the basics of the following tasks through hands-on experience: preparing sound and image files; embedding image and audio/video clips into a PPT slideshow; recording a narration and inserting background music for PPT slideshow; creating animated text, images, and dialogs in PPT slides for language and culture related exercises and games. Participants can work in pairs or small groups on their activity designing projects.

Phyllis Zhang, George Washington University
Cost: $150.00 Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29

Digital tools can enhance teaching and learning by enabling a media-rich and holistic learning environment. Many language instructors wonder when and how to use technology in their teaching? For CFL instructors in particular, what equipment and software are appropriate? What teaching/learning activities can one create with currently available digital tools? How should they be shaped to fit a particular level or purpose?

This two-day institute introduces various ways to utilize technology in CFL teaching and learning including some Chinese language specific learning tools. It focuses on the use of common programs such as PowerPoint, Flash, DreamWeaver and other free audio-video tools to generate dynamic teaching-learning activities ranging from cultural slideshows to language exercises and games. Participants have the opportunity to learn the basics skills through hands-on experience. Day 1 will be similar to the May 26 Chinese Language and Culture institute. This day focuses on tasks with PowerPoint (PPT) applications: preparing sound and image files; inserting the image and audio/video clips into a PPT slideshow; recording a narration and inserting background music for PPT slideshow; creating animated text, images and dialogs in PPT slides; integrating images, video, and text to create language and culture related exercises; and creating curricular games. Day 2 includes presentation and practice on webpage applications with DreamWeaver; embedding audio/video clips onto a web page; developing Quia activities; utilizing Flash movie; developing, creating, editing and saving a sound file for the web; and creating multiple-choice exercises. This institute is also a good opportunity for professional development for individuals who plan to become CFL teachers.

Note: To earn continuing education units, please check with your local school district for the procedure. For many school districts, one hour of approved teacher training is awarded with one re-certification point, and 10 re-certification points is equivalent to one continuing education unit (CEU) .
Upon completion of the summer institute, you will receive an NCLRC certificate noting the institute and the number of teacher training hours in which you will have participated.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH. The Department of Asian and Asian American Studies invites applications for a full-time lectureship in Chinese for a one-year appointment (renewable). Master’s degree in Chinese, Education, Linguistics or a related field, and previous experience in teaching Chinese (Mandarin) at the college level. Candidates must have native or near-native fluency in Chinese and competency in spoken and written English. Applicants should have the ability to communicate and work effectively with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Desired qualifications include a Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline and evidence of successful college-level teaching in Chinese, as well as computer literacy and experience in developing teaching material for Chinese language courses. The selection process will commence on June 1, 2006, and continues until the position is filled. Send a letter of application addressing qualifications, resume, three recent letters of recommendation, and official transcript from institution awarding highest degree, to Dr. Tim Xie, Search Committee Chair, Asian and Asian American Studies Department, CSULB, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-1002. (562) 985-5278; txie@csulb.edu. An EEO Employer.

THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY SEEKS ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS OF ARABIC, CHINESE, FRENCH, PORTUGUESE, RUSSIAN AND SPANISH: Candidates for these positions will be evaluated according to the following qualifications: advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, or Spanish (generalist); native or near-native fluency in one of the above languages and in English; promise or evidence of excellence in teaching at the college level; scholarship or scholarly potential; a firm commitment to high quality undergraduate education and the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues. Applicants with expertise in second-language acquisition, instructional technology, and assessment are especially encouraged to apply. To receive full consideration, individuals should submit a letter of application; curriculum vitae; official university transcripts; three letters of recommendation; and a DD form 214 (if claiming veteran preference) to the Department of Foreign Languages, ATTN: Ms. Rose Maresco, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York 10996. For additional information, contact Dr. Samuel G. Saldivar at (845) 938-2919. Closing date for application is 14 April 2006. These positions are for three years. Reappointments may be possible depending on satisfactory performance of duties, departmental needs, and availability of funds. Appointments are expected to begin NLT 1 October 2006. Non-US citizens can apply, but they cannot be hired if qualified U.S. citizens are available. Salary is competitive. The United States Military Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.

Needed Immediately: Chinese Language Program Director/Lead-Instructor in Nanjing, China

Newly created Yangtze International University (YIU) has an opening for a full-time non-tenured track Chinese Language Program Director/Lead-Instructor’s position for a study abroad program in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China to begin in August 2006. YIU is temporarily located on the campus of Nanjing University of Technology (NJUT) before the completion of its own permanent campus in the Xianlin Higher Education Zone on the foothills of Nanjing. NJUT is a new campus with about 19,000 students situated on 450 acres on a beautifully hillside campus near the Yangtze River. As the first step in this new partnership with NJUT, YIU and the University of Arizona have created a new study abroad program in Nanjing to begin classes this fall. See YIU’s website for course offerings (www.yiu-china.org).

The Chinese language program offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of courses. The initial appointment of the Chinese Language Program Director/Lead-Instructor is for one year and the position is renewable for additional years pending positive reviews.

Responsibilities, in addition to being the lead-instructor for the language program, include: Program Development, Curriculum Design, Course Coordination, Teacher Recruitment and Training. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Requirements: Native or near-native fluency in Chinese and English; Ph.D. (preferred) or M.A. in Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese Linguistics, or related fields; extensive experience in teaching Chinese language at the university/college level. Experience in computer-based language instruction and in program management. Send letter of application, CV, three letters of recommendation, and recent teaching evaluations to Yangtze International University, 5920 E. Pima Street, Suite 200, Tucson, Arizona 85712. For more information, please e-mail aonate@yiu-china.org or call Andy Onate or Henry Tsang (520) 886-9045.

The Department of Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages at the University of California, Riverside invites applications for a lecturer
position in Chinese with an appointment of 89% for academic year 2006-2007 (pending funding and final administrative approval), with a possibility of renewal on a yearly basis in accordance with University policies and regulations.

Duties over the three quarters will consist of teaching at least 8 courses. Priority will be given to candidates with experience teaching Chinese at an American university and familiarity with language teaching methodology. Teaching assignments will include first and second year language courses. Completed M.A. or equivalent is required and native or near-native fluency in Chinese and English is highly desirable. Present Lecturer salary per course is $4216.

Short-listed candidates will have an on-campus UCR interview (travel at candidates expense).

Please send cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching evaluations, two or three letters of recommendation, and (optional but strongly preferred) 20
minute VHS/DVD teaching demo to:
Prof. Yenna Wu
Chair, Chinese Lecturer Search Committee
Department of Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521-0321
Fax: (951) 827-2160

Questions/inquiries please email:
<mailto:carol.studley@ucr.edu>carol.studley@ucr.edu

Review of applications will begin April 10, 2006; the position will remain open until filled. Successful candidate must show proof of employment
eligibility.

The University of California, Riverside, is an AA/EEO employer.
　

CLTA-GNY Announces U.S. Educators Summer 2006 China Trip