Coffee Time with Parents-Summer & Bilingualism

Coffee Time

Parents’ Voices on Summer Program, Bilingualism, Multiculturalism

Enjoy coffee and discuss benefits, questions, concerns regarding summer program & bilingualism

Venue: Crowell Public Library, San Marino/Thornton Room (2^nd Floor)

Time: April 04, 10:30-11:30am

People: High school parents, or those who are interested in the topic

Something I Don't Know About Bilingualism

When I read the title of a recent New York Times article, "The Benefits of Bilingualism", I wonder what is new now. I already know speaking two languages makes you smart, at least appearing to be smart. Apparently, bilingualism enhances your skills that are not even related to language.

Several studies has discovered that bilingual brains are better at executive function, compared to monolingual brains. Bilinguals are able to filter distraction (supressing one language, for example), pay close attention to the target problem, and switch focus from one aspect to another (switching between two languages, for example). Moreover, bilingual brains do these demanding task at ease. My understanding is that such tasks, like many of our day-to-day tasks, might overwhelm a monolingual brain but doesn't affect the efficiency of the bilingual brain.

Now, that is pretty brainy. If you are inspired to study another language after reading the above, your drive to be bilingual will just be stronger after you learn the explanation behind these advantages of bilingualism. Not only bilinguals manage their own cognitive commend system more efficiently, they do so through monitoring their environment.

Last but not least (and to me, the most powerful point), bilingual abilities benefit both people who learn a second language at a later age and those who have early exposre. I guess, my conclusion is why wait, any time to learn a language is a good time.

Time to Think of Summer and Be Sharp

"'Summer school' used to have an unpleasant ring to it. It used to imply a kind of punishment, reserved for students with poor attendance or disciplinary problems. This is no longer the case. Today, hundreds of local and residential summer programs for academic enrichment exist across the country. Programs like these can offer great chances for your students to catch up on subjects that have them struggling or pursue advanced study in areas where they excel."

I feel the same. Read more on Teenlife, http://www.teenlife.com/news/80486/Summer-Programs-to-Keep-Students-Skills-Sharp.htm

What do you plan to do for your summer? Interested in learning Chinese and visiting different places? Check out Summer Experience China: dot2dotlearning.com

1, 2, 3 (yi, er, san) SEChina is ready to go!

Our SEChina program is ready to go! The dates will be from July 04 to July 20 (or 07/03-07/19 depending on air fare). The mission of SEChina trip in 2012 is to bring you 17 memorable days.

Clevero, the Panda's Story

For those who are already interested in what Summer Experience is, Clevero, the Panda can tell you about it.


Dot 2 Dot Learning with Clevero from Dot2Dot Learning on Vimeo.

Happy Chinese New Year!

恭贺新喜！祝龙年大吉大利！

Happy Chinese New Year!

Wish all of us a prosperous Year of Dragon!

Be a Global Citizen

Last week, I had an amazing conversation with the formal director of School Year Abroad in China, Jeff Bissell. For those who have a fuzzy idea what SYA is, it's been around for almost 50 years, the only program that allows secondary school students to live abroad with local families for a year, study in a local school, and to earn US high school credits still. Usually credit study abroad program is more common for college students.

The center question is what is the biggest challenge for high school students who want to attend the program in China. We understand that there are language barriers and the customs we are not familiar with. Beyond these renown challenges on the surface, there is one issue in the conversation that really catches my attention. In order to become a global citizen and successfully navigate from one culture to another, we have to change our perspective. We need to learn how others view us from their point of view.

Because the college study abroad program has gained more and more popularity, people in the host country, for example, China, have formed their perceptions of young Americans based on their experience with the American college students. Does these perceptions apply to high school students? Not all of them, of course. And perhaps not at all. High school students need to understand this but show the people their real selves, meaning you don't have to pretend that you are the college kid. You might have less experience traveling on your own. You might not be advanced in the language. You might need more guidance and help.

The teacher-student relationship is very different in China as well. The Chinese teachers expect students to take the full responsibility for learning. They might seem to be harsh at the beginning. But isn't it true that learning is students' responsibility? So if you show that you care about what you study and you are willing to put in all your efforts, the teacher will be impressed and possibly you will get easy access to help.

When you travel, you do need to take others' perspective into account. You don't need to change who you are. Nevertheless, it will definitely help if you change how you see things.