Mandarin Chinese ProjectTeacher Support : Minnesota Department of Education

Mandarin Chinese Project

Mandarin Chinese Project

The governor and legislature have established goals that will help bring Mandarin Chinese to Minnesota public schools.  A network of higher education representatives, educators, Chinese speaking people, business, Department of Education staff and other interested partners were brought together to accomplish these goals. Based on experience, participants were selected to participate in one of the three groups identified below:

Group 1 - Mandarin Curriculum Inventory


This group created an inventory of Mandarin Chinese materials, curriculum, and professional development activities currently being used in schools in Minnesota and across the country.


An Index and Resources PDF Version 1Mb (10/18/06)
    
Curriculum Maps-Part 1 PDF Version 3Mb (9/26/06)
    
Curriculum Maps-Part 2 PDF Version 25Mb (9/26/06)
    
Minnesota School District Survey on Chinese Language Programs PDF Version 199Kb (1/8/07)
    
Program and Teacher Survey PDF Version 1Mb (9/26/06)
    
Research and Resources PDF Version 3Mb (9/26/06)
    
Standards, Frameworks and Benchmarks PDF Version 4Mb (9/26/06)
    

Group 2 - Mandarin Standards and Curriculum Development


Using the curriculum inventory gathered by Group 1, this group developed an articulated K-12 Mandarin Chinese curriculum, supplemental materials and classroom-based assessments.


Integrating Chinese Cultures into K-12 Curricula PDF Version 14Kb (12/4/06)
    
National Standards for Foreign Language Learning PDF Version 929Kb (10/9/06)
    
Possible Assessment Components PDF Version 57Kb (2/5/07)
    
Sample of Classroom Assessments for Teaching Chinese PDF Version 202Kb (2/6/07)
    
Textbook Rubric PDF Version 45Kb (10/9/06)
    

Group 3 - Legislative Recommendations to Improve Instructional Capacity in Mandarin Chinese


This report to the legislature includes suggestions for:

  • how the state and districts can provide an adequate supply of Chinese language teachers and high-quality programs;
  • changing teacher preparation programs to train Chinese teachers;
  • developing a process for expediting licensing of Chinese teachers;
  • identifying and recommending processes to establish K-12 Chinese language programs;
  • identifying technical resources currently available to districts and teachers.

See the full report for legislative recommendations.  See the full report in Chinese.