Teacher

Wang

"From all the previous training I have attended and personal experience, I know total immersion and authentic materials are effective ways to teach a second language. I have tried to use 100% target language in the classroom, but was unsuccessful. I am so grateful that Dr. Tseng showed me the missing pieces that I have been searching for in this total immersion puzzle. Besides the technical aspects of teaching Chinese, I have also taken various ideas from the diverse group of teachers I have worked with in these past three weeks.

Chang

"On July 4, after dropping off two of my classmates at Charlottesville’s train station, I started to drive home. It was a beautiful day. As I drove, I reflected on the wonderful and productive three weeks I had just spent learning at the University of Virginia’s StarTalk Chinese Teacher Academy. My heart is full of gratitude for the great learning opportunity the program provided to me. I am grateful for being able to study at the University of Virginia, and fully engaged in learning at the one of the highly regarded StarTalk Chinese Teacher Academy in the United States."

Hu

"The three weeks’ STARTALK teacher program at University of Virginia was wonderful training for my 2014 summer. I enjoyed the discussion with teachers from different states, the inspiring questions from instructor and teachers, the friendly and productive sharing time with teachers, the cooperation in three-teacher team teaching for the thematic units, and so much more !

Chang

"I attended my very first STARTALK program in 2010 and I have heard a lot about the STARTALK at UVa since then. The STARTALK at UVa is well known for its rigorous program and excellent coordination. Yes, it truly is with its own strengths to make it so unique and stand out among all STARTALK Chinese programs."

Reminiscence:

Du

"I very much appreciate that the Virginia STARTALK Chinese teacher Academy has provided me this great opportunity of being part of this program. I consider the past three weeks of intensive training, the most rewarding professional development experience ever. I have learned so much from Dr. Tseng, Hsu Lao-shi, Zhong Laoshi, Jiang Laoshi , Gao Laoshi & every teacher trainees. Many thanks to the teachers and all the staff members who helped us go through this unique, refreshing journey. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr.

Chen

"I am so grateful for being able to participate in the 2014 Startalk Chinese Teacher Academy at University of Virginia. This professional development program was one of the best I have had. The way Professor Tseng delivered content and materials was communication-oriented, task-based, and student-centered. Through her communicative and interactive teaching model, I learned a lot on student centered learning, the communicative and task-based language teaching, authentic materials, and 100% target language.

Zhang

"It has been a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to study in the UVA program."

Reminiscence:

"It has been a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to study in the UVA program.

I reviewed national standards-“5C”, three communicative modes, backward design, OPI. And I got to know the concept of LinguaFolio and STARTALK Instructional Principles. Besides, I got many information regarding Chinese teaching from my classmates-experienced Chinese language teacher form all over the US.

Paul

"As I looked back of the days that I studied at UVa STAR TALK program I could only say that every day I was here was so blessed with the opportunity to learn, to reflect, to interact with many fellow teachers who were also eager to lean. The best of these blessings was to be able to learn from one of the renowned teachers, Dr. Tseng, in this field and obtained so much in depth instruction in my mother tongue. This the best STAR TALK experience that I ever had."

Reminiscence:

Wu

"The 2014 Virginia STARTALK Chinese Teacher Academy has provided me with professional development of teaching strategies, curriculum design, and performance-based assessment successfully. This program gave me a chance to further examine my own teaching philosophy and instruction through a series of intensive teaching practices."

Reminiscence:

Huang

2019 UVa STARTALK Chinese Teacher Program has been a true learning journey for me professionally and socially. During this 5 weeks’ training, I built close connections with my students and shared my personal interests and goals with them. We communicated using target language at all time and were immersed in a motivated learning environment. Together we talked, laughed, sang, and read, and we learned a lot from each other. My fellow teachers gave me endless inspirations throughout the planning, co-teaching, and reflection activities. Prof.

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