On May 25th, Saturday afternoon at 2 PM, the TCML-HTISC (Taiwanese Chinese Language Learning Center – Houston Taiwan Senior Academy) hosted the “2024 Spring Student Achievement Exhibition and Graduation Ceremony” at the academy’s auditorium. The event was attended by Director Wang Yingrong, Vice Director Huang Yili, Chairperson Chen Meifen, Dean Xu Shenghong, Director of Chinese Language Center Huang Canqin, as well as Chinese language teachers, students, and their families.
Chen Meifen congratulated and encouraged the students in English for successfully completing their Chinese language studies, urging them to continue practicing their speaking skills during the summer break. Xu Shenghong, speaking in Chinese at a slower pace for students to understand, expressed gratitude for seizing the opportunity to learn Chinese and emphasized the importance of Chinese as a second language for expanding horizons and fulfilling dreams. He encouraged the students to continue their Chinese language education and invited them to join the autumn courses starting on September 7th.
Wang Yingrong praised and commended the dedication of the TCML-HTISC in her speech, expressing joy in witnessing the students’ learning achievements. She called for collective efforts to promote the beauty of the Chinese language to diverse communities in American society, aiming to enable more people to learn Chinese.
The students and the center presented certificates of appreciation and gifts to teachers Huang Canqin, Huang Xueqi, and Sophia Wu. Attendance awards were granted to students Vinh Ha, Hong Hoang, Jay Lin, Jayme Long, and Andrew Lopez for their diligent and persistent commitment to learning. Additionally, achievement awards were given to 11 students, including Tyson Chapman.
The graduation ceremony featured a rhythmic performance of the “Quantifier Rap” with bamboo clappers, reciting the chant “Reading is Good.” Each student then introduced themselves in Chinese, showcasing their impressive progress despite only studying Chinese for two months. The introductions included details about their family members, phone numbers, work, leisure activities, demonstrating a rich vocabulary. Furthermore, as part of the cultural program, students dressed in indigenous traditional attire, ringing bells as they sang the song “High Mountain Green,” energizing the atmosphere with lively dance performances. In anticipation of the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, teacher Huang Xueqi demonstrated and explained the origins of the festival and the traditional activity of making rice dumplings, engaging everyone in creating “Zong-shaped fragrant packets” together.