T8 Chinese Teacher Preparation in North America: Meeting the Growing Demand for K–16 Chinese Language Education

Chinese language Teacher Education Chinese language Teacher Education At the University of AlbertaAt the University of Alberta

Dr. Joe WuFaculty of Education, University of Alberta

Canada

Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta

Chinese bilingual education in Edmonton

• Edmonton’s Chinese Bilingual Education program was established in 1982 in the Edmonton Public School District

• Now there are over 2,000 students studying from K-12

• It is the biggest bilingual program in Edmonton.

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Chinese Bilingual / Language Arts Enrollment Growth Chart

Instructional Time

• 50% in Chinese 50% in English

English Language

Social Studies

ScienceMusicChinese language

Math

HealthPhy. Ed. Arts

Teachers in the Chinese Bilingual Program

• Close to 90 certified teachers have taught Mandarin in the program

• Over 40 are currently employed

• 95% are foreign born native Chinese speakers

• A few are former bilingual program students

• Almost all of them received training from the University of Alberta

Turning foreign trained students to certified Chinese teachers as a fast track

Many of them:• have good Chinese language skills• have higher education degrees• are motivated to become teachers

Some of them• have teaching experience before• were trained as second language educators

Foreign University Degrees B.Sc. B.A. B.Ed.

Foreign University Degrees B.Sc. B.A. B.Ed.

Canadian University Degrees M.Sc. M.A. M.Ed.B.Sc. Ph.D. Ph.D. Ph.D.

Canadian University Degrees M.Sc. M.A. M.Ed.B.Sc. Ph.D. Ph.D. Ph.D.

Programs leading to teaching certification 2 year After Degree Program Open Studies B.Ed. Programs leading to teaching certification 2 year After Degree Program Open Studies B.Ed.

Alberta Teaching CertificateAlberta Teaching Certificate

The Diploma ProgramThe Diploma Program Course Based M.Ed. ProgramCourse Based M.Ed. Program

Four year B.Ed. program at U of A

Department of Elementary Education

• Mandarin Chinese minor

Department of Secondary Education

• Mandarin Chinese major

• Mandarin Chinese minor

Department of Elementary Education

Mandarin minor (21 credits)

• 12-15 credits in language

• 3-6 credits in literature/culture

• 3 credits in second language teaching methodology

• 14 weeks of student teaching

Department of Secondary Education

Mandarin major:

• 12-18 credits in language courses

• 6-12 credits in linguistic

• 6-9 credits in literature

• 3-9 credits in culture

• 14 weeks of student teaching

After-degree Programs

• For those who held a non-education bachelor degree

• Credited foreign universities’ degrees are accepted

• They take the last two years of the Bachelor of Education program

• 14 weeks of student teaching is included

The Open Studies Program

• Students take selected credit courses without following a specific degree or diploma program.

• It allows them to select courses suggested by Alberta’s Ministry of Education to meet the Alberta Teaching Certificate requirements.

• They can also receive credits in supervised student teaching.

The Diploma Program

• For those who have already earned a Bachelor of Education degree.

• They need to take 24 credits in course requirements

• 12 credits in second language theory and methodology

• 12 credits in language and culture

Challenges to these students

1. Understanding North American culture, including school children, parents and the school system

2. Understanding the educational philosophy and practice

3. Mastering Chinese language teaching skills

4. Improving English language proficiency

Possible solutions

• Courses in pedagogy, language acquisition and teaching methodology

• Student teaching in the school system

• Professional development for teachers