The National Council of Associations of Chinese Language Schools (NCACLS) in the United States held its annual meeting and conference opening ceremony in the San Francisco Bay Area on August 2nd last Saturday. The event, which took place both in person and online, attracted school administrators and guests from Chinese language schools across the United States. Director-General Secretary Rong You’e of the Overseas Community Affairs Council of the Republic of China, Deputy Director General Zhu Yongchang of the San Francisco Office, as well as several local dignitaries attended the event, demonstrating their commitment to the importance of traditional Chinese language education.
This event marked the 31st annual meeting and the 11th International Conference on Chinese Heritage Education, in conjunction with the Mandarin Learning Center Summit, held in Newark, Northern California from August 2nd to 3rd, under the theme “AI Empowering Chinese Language Teaching, Cultural Materials Driving the Future.”
The conference featured several prestigious speakers, including Professor Liao Haoxiang from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Professor Lian Yuren from the Department of Applied Chinese Literature at Chung Yuan Christian University, and Dr. Chu Huiliang from the National Palace Museum in Taipei. They delved into how AI technology can integrate with traditional Chinese language teaching to promote innovative learning methods.
Since its establishment in 1994, the NCACLS has grown to include 13 branches and 261 member schools, dedicated to promoting the development of overseas Chinese language education and actively collaborating with Chinese and foreign language teaching institutions across the United States. President Wang Wanjun noted that this event is the largest academic international conference organized by the council, bringing together a multitude of teaching research results and providing an essential platform for professional exchange and growth for teachers.
During her address, Director-General Secretary Rong You’e emphasized that language and culture are significant influencers of a country. While Taiwan may not match major powers in terms of hard power, the value of traditional Chinese language and its diverse culture are precious assets unparalleled by larger nations. She stated that the Overseas Community Affairs Council will continue to be a strong support for overseas Chinese education and work hand in hand with Chinese schools to promote Chinese language education, urging everyone to strive together for the advancement of Taiwanese Chinese language education.
Deputy Director Zhu Yongchang expressed that Chinese language education is a core strength of overseas communities, not only for passing down language and culture but also for inspiring the younger generation to participate in the overseas community, serving as a crucial driving force for the long-term development of these communities.
Throughout the conference, Professor Liao Haoxiang explored the topic “Digital Chinese Language Teaching 2.0: Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Humans,” discussing the application of AI in Chinese language teaching. In an interview, he mentioned that educators should understand the strengths and limitations of AI and guide students in its correct usage, stating, “Our responsibility is to provide students with opportunities to experiment and learn how to use this tool effectively.”
The day-and-a-half conference was rich in content, including five specialized lectures, two group discussions, 16 paper presentations, various demonstration teaching sessions, as well as cultural booths representing the five elements – metal, wood, water, fire, and earth – along with free bilingual Taiwanese food materials, offering practical resources for teachers to facilitate the exchange of experiences and cooperation among teachers from different regions, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere at the venue.
During the opening ceremony, distinguished guests gathered, including Director Zhuang Yashu from the Overseas Education Center, Mayor Michael K. Hannon of Newark, Mayor Hu Xin of Dublin, Vice Mayor Linda Sell of Sunnyvale, Councilman Kevin Park of Santa Clara, and Councilman Raymond Liu of Fremont, among other local officials who graced the event, showing their support. Several officials presented certificates of appreciation, acknowledging the organizers’ contributions to Chinese education.