"2014 UVa StarTalk Chinese Teacher Academy was a blessing for me and many other Chinese language educators. It was a blessing because we had great teachers and program coordinators; it was a blessing because we learned and tested language teaching theories on multiple occasions with different groups of students; it was a blessing because every one of us was highly professional and willing to share and help each other to become a better teacher.!"

Reflections:

2014 UVa StarTalk Chinese Teacher Academy was a blessing for me and many other Chinese language educators. It was a blessing because we had great teachers and program coordinators; it was a blessing because we learned and tested language teaching theories on multiple occasions with different groups of students; it was a blessing because every one of us was highly professional and willing to share and help each other to become a better teacher. In the hottest summer days in Charlottesville, we stayed up late many nights to discuss teaching theories and practices. Three weeks wore on our body, but built us professionally. What I enjoyed the most is not the sleepless nights but the lively atmosphere in classrooms and in the hotel dining room where we become a family through discussions and sharing. Looking back at my reflections, teaching demonstrations, student performances, and new friends I met during those three weeks, I am proud of my decision to attend StarTalk atUVa. I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Tseng who organized such a wonderful teacher academy so we could become teachers with best-theory-supported-practices.