The 2009 Chinese Language Teachers Association of Greater New York annual conference and the 7^th New York International Conference on Chinese Language Teaching was held at Seton Hall University on May 16.

More than 200 Chinese language teaching professionals, teachers, scholars, and administrators gathered together to discuss how to promote Chinese language teaching, exchange research results and teaching experience and views on Chinese language instruction. Over 70 speakers presented at 17 panels. There were also two workshops on Chinese Teacher Certifications and technology. The presenters are from Great New York area, and also from many universities and schools from other states and from 6 different countries and regions. About a dozen vendors displayed their products and books. Most of the presenters are teachers at different levels. Many administrators also delivered papers on setting up Chinese programs and management issues. The school district of Philadelphia organized two panels. It is the first time that the conference even attracted monks and nuns from a local Buddhist Chinese schools to addend. After a whole day’s busy work, 125 participants attended the social event in the evening, had dinner together to meet old friends and make new ones. Some of them continued unfinished discussion in the day time. It is truly a great event in our Chinese language teaching field. By saying good bye to each other, they all agreed to meet again next year in New York.