Archive

Here is a collection of our past events, featuring highlights from professional development sessions and various teaching exchanges.

We warmly invite you to explore these memories and would be delighted to have you join us in the future. If you have any photos from earlier events that you would like to share, we would love to hear from you. Your contributions will help enrich the history of our association!

2024 events	2024 events	2024 events

CLTANT Celebrates Jing Weng's PTANT Award

CLTANT Celebrates Jing Weng's 2024 PTANT Award

The Chinese Language Teachers Association of the Northern Territory (CLTANT) is thrilled to announce that Jing Weng, a dedicated and inspiring educator, has been honoured with the PTANT award for her outstanding contributions to Chinese language education.

The award recognises Jing Weng's exceptional efforts in promoting Chinese language and culture, her dedication to professional development, and her impact on the educational community. Her work has not only enriched the lives of her students but has also strengthened the cultural ties between the local community and Chinese communities. Her dedication to excellence in teaching and her commitment to fostering a love for the Chinese language and culture in her students are truly commendable. This award is a testament to her hard work and passion.

2024's Fourth Professional Development Session
1 December, 2024

Presenters: Yunqi Su and Maggie Gu

Presentation 1: Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy

Presentation 2: Chinese Migrant teachers in Australia

This 3-hour professional development session was a blend of cultural immersion and insightful discussions, aimed at enhancing teaching methodologies and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse backgrounds within the Australian education system.

Workshop 1
The first segment of the PD session was dedicated to the intricate and beautiful art of Chinese calligraphy presented by Yunqi Su, a professional in the area of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages with more than 7 years in TCSOL study and more than 10 years of calligraphy study. Teachers from different schools attentively participated in learning the fundamental skills and teaching methods of Chinese calligraphy. Under the expert guidance of Ms Yunqi Su. Participants delved into the history and techniques of this ancient art form. They practiced brush strokes, learned about the significance of different characters, and explored ways to integrate calligraphy into their curriculum to enrich students' cultural awareness and artistic skills.

Workshop 2
The second part of the session featured a compelling presentation by Maggie Gu, a Ph.D. candidate at Sydney University, specialising in Education and Social Science. Maggie's presentation, titled "Chinese Migrant Teachers in Australia," provided an in-depth look at the contributions and challenges faced by Chinese migrant teachers in the Australian education system.

Drawing from her extensive research, Maggie discussed the significant role that Chinese migrant teachers play in the Australian education system. She pointed out that these teachers not only help address the teacher shortage but also bring a wealth of cultural knowledge and unique teaching methodologies. Despite facing challenges such as adjusting to a new educational environment and overcoming linguistic barriers, Chinese migrant teachers have made substantial contributions to their schools and communities.

Maggie also addressed the need for better support systems for migrant teachers, including professional development opportunities, mentorship programs, and policies that recognise and value their contributions. She shared findings from her surveys and interviews with Chinese migrant teachers, which revealed their high levels of education, dedication to teaching, and the positive impact they have on their students.

Summary

The PD session concluded with a lively discussion and Q&A session, where participants shared their thoughts and experiences. By learning about Chinese calligraphy and the experiences of Chinese migrant teachers, participants gained new insights and inspiration to bring back to their classrooms.

This weekend's PD session was a testament to the power of cultural exchange and professional growth, highlighting the importance of embracing diversity and supporting all educators in their journey to provide the best possible education for their students.

2024's Third Professional Development Session
21 September, 2024

Presenters: Jian Wu and Mack Shen

Presentation 1: Generative AI and Chinese language teaching

Presentation 2: The reasonable arrangement of teaching content - Congnitive Load Theory and its application

In this professional development session, two members who attended the Asia-Pacific Chinese Language Teachers’ Conference in Canberra shared the latest insights on Chinese language teaching and second language acquisition with other Northern Territory members.

First, Mack Yang Shen, a linguistics graduate student from Jilin University and current volunteer teacher at the Confucius Institute at Charles Darwin University, introduced the basics of Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) and its application in language learning. CLT is a scientific framework that explains how the human brain processes and retains information, emphasizing the relationship between working memory and long-term memory. It highlights that when working memory is overloaded with too much new information, learning effectiveness decreases. Shen shared strategies on how to implement CLT in the classroom to better facilitate language acquisition, with a specific focus on teaching Chinese as a foreign language. (This section can be expanded with practical examples of how CLT can be applied in teaching Chinese, such as breaking down complex characters or structures into more manageable learning chunks.)

The second part of the session, led by Mr. Wu Jian, focused on how to use AI tools to enhance the creation of foreign language teaching materials and interactive lessons. His presentation demonstrated efficient ways to integrate AI into daily teaching practices, allowing teachers to design better course materials and assignments. During this segment, teachers had the opportunity to try out different AI tools, engage in peer discussions, and exchange ideas on how to leverage ICT technology for improved classroom outcomes.

At the end of the session, all participants enjoyed a collaborative atmosphere as they shared slides, PowerPoint presentations, documents, and teaching resources, leaving everyone with a wealth of materials to incorporate into their own teaching.

2024's Second Professional Development Session
21 September, 2024

Presenters: Xuan Wang and Jing Weng

Presentation 1: Teaching Chinese characters

Presentation 2: Differentiation in teaching

In Mr Xuan Wang's professional development (PD) session, he provided an in-depth exploration of methods for teaching Chinese characters in Chinese education. Xuan Wang emphasized the importance of tailoring the teaching of Chinese characters to different age groups. He introduced interactive games that involve breaking down and combining characters to help students understand their structure. Additionally, he explained the evolution process of Chinese characters, offering teachers a more fundamental and comprehensive understanding of character classification and appropriate teaching methods.

Mr Xuan Wang also encouraged Chinese teachers to explore how to design meaningful games that engage students in the creation of Chinese characters. By involving students in the creative process, these games aim to spark their interest and help them overcome the challenges of learning Chinese characters. This approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also enhances students' retention and appreciation of the language.

Ms Jing Weng, offers insightful explanations on the implementation of differentiation in teaching. Her sessions cover how to tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs, interests, and abilities of students, ultimately enhancing learning outcomes. Jing's lectures include detailed case studies, practical teaching strategies, and the theoretical foundations of differentiated instruction, aiding educators in better understanding and applying these methods in their classrooms.

In Ms Jing Weng's training sessions, teachers will engage in various activities and group discussions to explore the techniques and secrets of differentiated education. These activities focus on teaching methods relevant to different age groups and grade levels, aiming to equip educators with the skills to design effective lesson plans that address individual student differences. The sessions not only provide theoretical support but also offer hands-on practice, allowing teachers to gain valuable practical experience.

2024's First Professional Development Session
6 April, 2024

In this event, Ms. Yang demonstrated various ways to teach students cultural activities, such as painting traditional Chinese symbols, including the Four Gentlemen (plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum), as well as various flowers, plants, and trees, highlighting their cultural significance. During the session, Chinese language teachers from across the Northern Territory actively participated in the painting activities, making it an enjoyable and engaging experience.

Following this, Mr. Wu Jian provided an insightful presentation on effective classroom management strategies, particularly geared toward teachers who are new to teaching Chinese. He introduced a practical approach to maintaining discipline in schools and offered hands-on opportunities to practice these techniques through in-class role-playing exercises. These exercises helped both students and teachers gain a better understanding of the various aspects of maintaining classroom order in an Australian context.