TAS Chinese Literacy Symposium Continues at the Forefront of Multilingual Education

The TAS Chinese Literacy Symposium (CLS), held on March 2 & 3, was a two-day, all-virtual conference designed to focus on teaching literacy skills in language classrooms across international schools. Established by Dean of Teaching and Learning, Amanda Jacob, and Lower School Mandarin Coordinator, Caroline Hsu, along with Lower School Literacy Coaches, Stacey Johnsen and Denise Bord, this year's CLS delivered a systematic approach for teachers to elevate classroom talk and the language of learning. 

More than 70 language educators from Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Singapore, and Taiwan attended CLS, with many attendees returning after participating in past symposiums. Fourteen Taipei American School faculty members presented during the event, which featured large and small group sessions in dual learning tracks to benefit first-time and returning participants equally. In keeping with the tenet that language literacy is a journey with many chances to learn from each other, participants also shared their knowledge through mini-presentations of their own. 

Participant feedback on CLS efficacy was overwhelmingly positive. A returning Concordia International School of Shanghai attendee marveled at how CLS delivers excellent new learning opportunities each year. First-time attendee, Hong Kong International School Mandarin Teacher, Catherine Zhou, agreed. She wrote, "Thanks so much for the Chinese Literacy Symposium. I am inspired and learned so much from this experience. Your team really has a passion for teaching language and literacy." Many commented on the practical impact of collaboration between TAS Mandarin teachers, homeroom teachers, and literacy coaches in supporting students' learning, expressing how wonderful and admirable it was to witness in action. 

The 2024 TAS Chinese Literacy Symposium was again filled with passion, synergy, and the shared value of growing and learning together. In reaffirming Taipei American School's commitment to excellence in multilingual education, CLS attendees discovered that teaching and learning a language is about building bridges, breaking barriers, and promoting cultural awareness, understanding, and appreciation. In this sixth incarnation, repeat participants of the CLS stated that it gets better each and every time. We'll see you in 2025 for the next Chinese Literacy Symposium at Taipei American School!