The National Council of Associations of Chinese Language Schools in the United States (NCACLS) held a ceremony for the handover of the presidency in the San Francisco Bay Area on August 3rd. The official seal was passed from Wang Wanjun from Northern California to Li Junhao from Michigan under the supervision of Rong You’e, the Director-General of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission of the Republic of China, marking the beginning of Li Junhao’s tenure as the new president.
This handover ceremony was part of the 31st Annual Meeting of the NCACLS, the 11th International Conference on Chinese Heritage Education, and the Summit of Chinese Language Learning Centers.
During her speech, Rong You’e praised outgoing president Wang Wanjun for her proactive promotion of Chinese education, alignment with overseas education policies, and her efforts in uniting Chinese language schools across the United States. She congratulated the incoming president Li Junhao and urged him to build upon the foundation laid by his predecessors, injecting new vitality into Chinese education in the United States. She emphasized that the handover of the presidency symbolizes the passing of responsibility and underscores the commitment to Chinese education, with the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission looking forward to deepening cooperation with the NCACLS in the future.
Outgoing president Wang Wanjun commended Li Junhao for his sincerity, erudition, and exceptional capabilities, expressing confidence in his leadership during the preparation of the annual meeting. She mentioned that she would continue to assist in advancing the affairs of the council if needed.
In an interview with DA JI YUAN, Wang Wanjun mentioned that one of the most fulfilling experiences during her tenure was leading a delegation to Taiwan in May. The delegation, composed of 20 members, had a diverse itinerary covering governmental departments, schools, and cultural experiences, which were enriching and inspirational. She stressed the importance of cultural heritage, noting that customs and traditions leave a lasting impression through subtle influences. She also highlighted that while artificial intelligence could integrate cultural materials for promotion, it cannot replace the warmth and personal touch of human teaching.
The newly appointed president Li Junhao expressed humility in taking on the role, acknowledging the solid foundation laid by previous presidents. He thanked Wang Wanjun, predecessors, and the support received from the vice president and various branches. He stated his commitment to enhancing exchanges with mainstream teachers, integrating resources from various sectors, and promoting Chinese education and cultural inheritance.
Li Junhao told DA JI YUAN that overseas Chinese schools are facing enrollment challenges, especially in attracting the second generation of overseas Chinese to engage in Chinese language learning, which is a significant issue. He aims to promote adult Chinese language teaching through TCML by combining high-quality teaching materials and faculty from Taiwan to improve teaching quality and expand the audience.
Additionally, Li Nayi from Northern California was elected as the Executive Vice President. She expressed her dedication to supporting the president’s plan in the coming year, embracing a learning attitude to gain a deeper understanding of the overseas Chinese education environment.
She hopes to expand her local experiences to a national and global level in the future, breaking geographical barriers through digital platforms to continue contributing to global Chinese education efforts.