Last Saturday, Mrs Liu-Prosee from Room 21 left for Beijing, where she's undergoing three weeks of professional development in Mandarin teaching. She talks about her experience here ...

Dajiahao! At the beginning of this year, I was very fortunate to be selected for a scholarship jointly provided by the NZ and China Ministries of Education, which is paying for me to attend a three week intensive Chinese language and culture programme at the Beijing Language and Culture University. My course is centred around creating engaging tasks for students to learn Mandarin through authentic contexts. As well as travelling around Beijing, creating lesson plans and gathering resources, I have had the opportunity to explore some traditional cultural activities. Today I had a calligraphy lesson, and next week I'll be learning the fan dance! I look forward to bringing these activities and lessons back to Raroa for Room 21 students and my Mandarin enrichment class.
Also on the course with me, are 11 Mandarin teachers from around NZ, ranging from junior primary to high school teachers. I am having a great time collaborating and sharing ideas with these passionate and talented educators.

By a stroke of good luck, I also happen to be in town during the 2016 Beijing Improv Festival. I have attended a bilingual improv comedy workshop, and will be attending some shows next week. I look forward to bringing some fresh ideas back with me to share with the Raroa Instalaughs and my Improv Comedy enrichment class!