1st August 2011 9:00
By Blue Tutors
The Chinese Language School in Connecticut has launched an online tuition service called iVuChinese for its students, which is designed to support students outside of school hours, and make learning more accessible for them. The school teaches the US curriculum, but maintains a focus on teaching Mandarin to students, because of the presumed importance of the language in future. The online tutoring service focuses on helping students to develop their spoken and written Mandarin language skills.
Initially the service contained lesson plans and homework assignments, allowing students to complete tasks online, and earn virtual trophies to store in their user area as a reward. However, as the programme has developed, the school has added the facility for students to communicate with a tutor via skype, so that the tutor can give general help and correct pronunciation. Also, shortly students will be issued with tablet pens, so that tutors can see the order in which students draw strokes in Chinese characters; an important part of learning Chinese.
Daisy Laone, principal of the school, sees the one-to-one Skype tuition as an invaluable resource for the students, allowing a lesson which is tailored perfectly to the student’s age, learning style and ability. Laone also conducts regular intensive support sessions with the tutors to develop their ability. She says that the tutors are unique because they specialise in teaching Mandarin to Americans and non-native speakers.
The online tuition programme has received high praise from the students’ parents. Many of the parents see their role as giving their children as many career opportunities as possible, and with the growth of the Chinese economy, the possibility of working alongside Mandarin speakers is considered to be a valuable skill.