November 12-13, 2025
Collaborative Review and Skill Focus:
Both days provided an opportunity to collaborate with the Chinese teacher. Together, we applied various approaches to reiterate past concepts, such as days of the week, years, and dates. I assisted by role-playing with the students. For example, I would pose a question and await a response. If the student requires some assistance, I would guide them to the correct answer. Some students shocked me. Their ability to quickly understand and answer the questions in Chinese was wonderful.
Navigating the Complexity of Character Writing:
Initially, I was wary of this week’s focus on character writing. This skill poses a great challenge for many Chinese learners. However, the students’ excitement for the lesson was heartwarming. Building on their enthusiasm, I cautioned them to remain calm as they learned each stroke—reminding them that repetition helps perfect any skill.
As a native speaker, knowing the correct stroke order is second nature. In contrast, the students are different. The stroke order confuses. Truthfully, character writing resembles painting more than following a logical sequence.
The hands-on practice provided a strong introduction. The students became familiar with the structure of character writing. Additionally, the importance of practice, repetition, and exposure was communicated.
No matter the difficulty, many students excelled and felt accomplished with each small success. The ability to recognize, read, and know the character provides a beneficial cultural experience – a unique aspect of learning Mandarin Chinese.
Because I’ve stumbled through Thai script, I’ve recognized hints of uncertainty on students’ faces when they’re unsure about stroke order. Those moments sparked great empathy in me. I felt more connected to the students during this time. Also, the entire experience moved the task from standard teaching to real exchange and growth.”
Personal Reflection as a Bridge:
The students’ willingness to learn and practice Chinese character writing encouraged me. Recognizing their effort, I am aware that imitation does not immediately guarantee memorization. My passion for teaching fuels my excitement for grandiose results. However, as the week reminded me, language learning has always been a journey. One must first take small steps.
The entire experience prompted an old memory from my university days to resurface. During that time, I struggled with writing Thai script. The difficulty I encountered when attempting to match the script’s shape to its pronunciation and structure helped me empathize deeply with my students’ challenges.
Each student interaction and teaching experience solidifies my position as a bridge, merging two cultures by enhancing students’ international learning experience. Ultimately, the students gained not only cultural exposure but also a sense of achievement.
Author
Pan Yiling, ALIEEP Trainee | LinkedIn
Pan Yiling is an experienced and qualified educator with five years of experience. Her background stems from teaching English to Taiwanese and Japanese students. Currently, an ALIEEP trainee is tasked with promoting Taiwanese culture through educational endeavors. She aspires to help more people fall in love with language learning. Her curiosity and joy of exploration have motivated her to visit various countries in the course of her professional pursuits.
Editor: Nikki Smith, PR Specialist | LinkedIn
Nikki Smith is an innovative marketing professional passionate about articulating compelling brand stories that promote connection and community through inspirational rhetoric. Currently, the PR Specialist at the Alabama International Education and Economic Partnership, she leads the internal communication initiatives, develops marketing strategies, and creates multi-platform content. Nikki’s experience spans insurance, publishing, retail, and technology, bringing a versatile perspective to every project.