The Herald-Zeitung

By Eric J. Weilbacher

The Herald-Zeitung

New Braunfels High School student Coelis Mendoza already had the language credits she needed for graduation, but when the opportunity came up for learning Chinese, she jumped on it.

Zhao Bin, who normally teaches English at Yunnan University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, teaches the classes at New Braunfels High School and New Braunfels Middle School.

New Braunfels Independent School District is the only district in the state to receive a Chinese language instructor through the College Board and Office of Chinese Language Council joint guest teacher program.

“I’ve always been interested in Eastern cultures,” said Taylor Pence, another of Bin’s second-year students. “When I heard we would have a Chinese class I said, ‘That would be so cool!’” Pence said.

As part of the class, the students take on names typical of the language they are studying. Coelis’ Chinese name is Meng Li, and Taylor’s is Peng Li. Before she came to New Braunfels in 2008, Bin had orientation and training at Stanford University. Bin holds a Master’s Degree in English from Yunnan University.

Bin said she is impressed that NBISD jumped on the chance to take a Chinese instructor.

“The administration in NBISD really have the foresight to bring Chinese language skills as the need increases,” she said. “As most people will tell you, one-fifth of the world population speaks Chinese, and China’s economy is the fastest growing. Students are really blessed having this program available to them.”

The guest teacher program could last up to three years per instructor, and Bin said she hopes the College Board will let her continue in New Braunfels next year.

Elisa Racanelli, the special programs director for NBISD, said she is hoping that Bin’s class has planted the seed for the class to become a permanent offering at NBHS.

“Through the district’s long term relationship with the College Board … we were invited to apply for the Chinese language and cultural awareness program,” Racanelli said. “The program is intended to grow at a low cost. The College Board pays the salary of the instructor so long as we provide her with a place to stay.

“We want to be able to continue to offer Chinese. We want our students to be able to broaden their horizons and China being a major economy, we want students to be able to investigate going into business (and have Chinese language skills).”

On the difference in teaching American and Chinese students, Bin offered some perspective.

“Students tend to be more creative here. They are more visual,” she said. “Students in China listen to the teachers more.”

Bin has some demanding goals for her students.

“Once my students are reading, writing and speaking and listening to Chinese, after being in my class I encourage them to think in Chinese in their daily lives.

“I just learned the saying ‘as hard as learning Chinese,’” she said, adding that although Chinese can be difficult for students used to an alphabetical language, her students are doing quite well.

The experience for Bin has been difficult, leaving behind twin sons who will turn 9 years old next March, but it has also been rewarding.

“It’s hard, but it’s a great experience for me to be exposed to a different educational system and different culture,” she said.