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Bridge to Excellence 

Connecting Chinese Language Teachers Across Two States

​2023  Project for Teachers

 

Please click here to down the project  Flyer 

 

ORGANIZERS AND KEY CONTACTS

• Chinese Language Teachers' Association of the Northern Territory Incorporated (CLTANT)

       Bee Huang Khoo, President of CLTANT (beehuang.khoo@nt.catholic.edu.au)

• Chinese Language Teachers Association of South Australia Inc. (CLTASA)

       Mingxia Wei, President of CLTASA (mwei@seymour.sa.edu.au)

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INTRODUCTION

The teaching of Chinese as a foreign language has become increasingly important with the growth of China's global economic and cultural influence. However, finding qualified and experienced Chinese language teachers can be a challenge, particularly in areas with smaller populations. The Bridge to Excellence project aims to connect Chinese language teachers, who are members of the  CLTASA or the CLTANT​, and create opportunities for our teachers to learn from and support one another. By doing so, we hope to enhance the quality of Chinese language education in both urban and country areas in two states.

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OBJECTIVES

General Objectives

• To provide Chinese language teachers with opportunities to observe each other's lessons online or in person, discuss best practices, and provide feedback to each other.

• To build a community of Chinese language teachers across South Australia and Northern Territory states who can collaborate and share resources to enhance the quality of Chinese language education.

• To improve student outcomes in Chinese language education by supporting the professional development of Chinese language teachers.

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Specific Objectives

• To enhance Chinese language teachers' pedagogical skills to create engaging learning environments for students.

• To provide opportunities for teachers to share and exchange teaching ideas and strategies.

• To improve Chinese language teaching methods and practices.

• To support Chinese language teachers with tools and resources to deliver innovative teaching approaches that align with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) standards.

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Bridge to Excellence project and its impact on teachers and students.

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BENEFITS

• Professional Development: By observing each other's lessons, discussing best practices, and providing feedback, Chinese language teachers can learn from one another and enhance their teaching skills and knowledge.

• Increased Collaboration: This project can foster collaboration and networking among Chinese language teachers across different states, building a community of professionals who can share resources and support each other.

• Improved Student Outcomes: By enhancing the quality of Chinese language education through teacher professional development and collaboration, students can benefit from innovative teaching practices and increased teacher proficiency, which may lead to improved student outcomes.

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PROJECT GROUPS

The Bridge to Excellence project will be divided into three project groups based on the language proficiency level of the students and the teaching needs of the teachers in the Northern Territory and South Australia metropolitan and regional areas. Teachers can participate in any of the three groups as needed.

 

• The Beginner Group is for teachers who are teaching students with limited or no previous experience in learning Chinese.

• The Intermediate Group is for teachers who are teaching students with intermediate proficiency levels in Chinese.

• The Advanced Group is for teachers who are teaching students with advanced proficiency levels in Chinese.

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PROJECT PHASES

The Bridge to Excellence project will be conducted in four phases:

 

Phase 1: Planning and Preparation (March-April): The planning phase will involve project coordination, recruitment of participants, and the development of program materials and establishing communication channels among participating teachers.

 

Phase 2: Professional Development and Instructional Coaching (May-October): The professional development phase will involve termly professional development sessions, online resources, instructional coaching, cross-classroom observations in person or online, and engaging in discussions to share best practices.

 

Phase 3: Conference Presentation (September): The conference phase will involve a state conference where teachers can share their project experiences and outcomes with a wider audience.

 

Phase 4: Reporting (November-December): The reporting phase will involve the submission of a project report that highlights the project's goals, outcomes, and recommendations for future improvements. The report will share the project experiences and outcomes with a wider audience.

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PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

The following activities will be implemented throughout the project:

• Termly face-to-face and online professional development sessions that provide opportunities for Chinese language teachers to learn from one another and enhance their teaching skills.

• Online resources that support Chinese language teachers in their teaching practices and provide access to instructional materials and best practices.

• Instructional coaching that provides one-on-one support to Chinese language teachers in implementing new teaching strategies and techniques.

• Cross-classroom observations and discussions among participants to promote learning and collaboration.

• Participation in a state conference where teachers can share their project experiences and outcomes with a wider audience.

• Submission of a project report that highlights the project's goals, outcomes, and recommendations for future improvements.

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EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK PROCESS

The project's success will be evaluated through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data such as student performance data, teacher participation rates, and survey data will be collected to assess the project's impact on student outcomes and teacher engagement.

 

Qualitative data will be collected through teacher feedback and self-reflection, as well as observations of classroom instruction. This data will be used to assess the quality of the project's activities and their impact on teacher professional development.

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BUDGET ($4,000)

 

The Bridge to Excellence project is funded by the CLTASA and CLTANT. The project's budget is broken down as follows:

• Professional development workshops and instructional coaching: $900

• Online resources and platform development: $900

• Cross-classroom observations and discussions: $900

• State conference participation: $N/A

• Evaluation and assessment: $300

• Project management and administration: $500

• Contingency fund: $500

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PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

 

This program is specifically designed for Chinese language teachers who are currently teaching in a Chinese language class. Preservice teachers are also welcome to participate in the project as observers. This will provide them with an opportunity to observe practical teaching methods and engage in professional discussions to prepare for their future careers.

 

To participate in the program, teachers must demonstrate a genuine interest in learning and implementing the teaching methods and resources recommended by the project team during classroom discussions. They should also be willing to observe other teachers' classes either in-person or online during their regular teaching practice.

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Furthermore, schools are required to support participating teachers by allowing them to attend teaching discussions and observation sessions. They should also provide Teaching Relief Time (TRT) and permit the use of classroom teaching activities, images, and materials in the project report.

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Participating teachers are expected to present their project experiences as a workshop during the South Australian Chinese Language Teachers' Conference in Semester 2, 2023. By the end of Term 4, the group is expected to submit a collective project report. Teachers are required to provide self-reflection and feedback on the project, as well as attach materials that demonstrate their teaching and student interaction.

 

CONCLUSION

 

The Bridge to Excellence project connects Chinese language teachers in South Australia and the Northern Territory to enhance Chinese language education. Through cross-classroom observations, professional development, and participation in a state conference, teachers collaborate to improve student outcomes. The project is evaluated with both quantitative and qualitative methods, and a final report summarizes achievements and recommendations for future improvements. This program offers a platform for teachers to learn, share experiences, and promote innovative and effective teaching methods in the Chinese language classroom, ultimately benefiting their students

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REGISTER TODAY!

 

Teachers and/or pre-service teachers who wish to participate in the project should register by filling out the online registration form via the link https://www.cltasa.org/2023-bridge-to-excellence-project before Friday, 7th July 2023.