About

Chinese Learning Lab (CL-LAB) is an online learning community for Mandarin learners, in particular, K-12 students and their families. The community’s mission is to support students’ interest in Chinese language learning and to improve their biliteracy.

CL-LAB provides self-designed curricula, interactive DIY lessons, group classes, themed workshops, and more. After participating in CL-LAB, you will be able to:

● Describe the two systems of Chinese language – Pīnyīn (phonetics) and characters, and identify frequently used characters

● Apply the phonics skills to sound out new words, sentences, and ancient poems using Pīnyīn, and formulate short, complete sentences with familiar words

● Co-create our learning community with CL-LAB and empower other learners

● Create self-teaching plans based on CL-LAB interactive content to develop Metacognition — Metacognition is a critical skill for making continuous progress on biliteracy.

CL-LAB Story

After 9 years experience as a sci-tech journalist and editor in China, Chan Li started her new journey for MSEd at Shenandoah University in Virginia. CL-LAB starts as her course project of Curriculum and Instructional Design following instructor Dr. Diane Painter.

At the beginning of this project, Chan felt very impressive with the words of Dr. Painter, that is, "The most important (for the project) is passion."

As a native Mandarin speaker, she is passionate to support all the Chinese language learners with a positive and fun learning community.

Reference

  • Far East Chinese-English Dictionary 远东汉英大词典 简明本 (梁实秋 张芳杰, 1998) ；远东图书公司印行

  • Teaching Reading to Students Who Are At Risk Or Have Disabilities (William D. Bursuck ; Mary Damer, 2015); Pearson Education Inc.

  • Fairfax County School Board (Board, Course information, 2024) Course information https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high/world-languages/chinese