Syllabus

The Taiwan Center for Mandarin Language Learning at Washington DC Taiwanese School has the following classes:

Online Conversation Class:
Monday 7:30-9:00 pm (intermediate Conversation)
Wednesday 7:30-9:00 pm (Basic Conversation)
Thursday 8:00-9:00 pm (Theme-based discussion)

1. Focus on, in Mandarin, conversation, pronunciation, and cultural diversity.
2. Students are expected to be able to make basic level Mandarin conversations, express themselves, and understand short to mid-level questions.

Beginner Mandarin Class:
In-Person – Sunday 1:30pm-3:00pm + (TBA) Online Class time

1. Introduction of Mandarin to non-native speakers with zero background of the language. This course is based on students’ needs, focusing more on listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
2. Students are expected to communicate with the teacher about their expectations of the class.

Intermediate Mandarin Class:
In-Person – Sunday 1:30pm-3:00pm + (TBA) Online Class time

1. Focus on developing vocabulary/words that are taught in the textbook and how to apply the words in sentences.
2. Read and pronounce Chinese characters, apply learned words in casual conversation.
3. Practice listening and speaking Mandarin sentences & paragraphs and expect to communicate on a basic level with Mandarin natives.
4. Introduce the culture of Taiwan and apply learned language skills as an expansion of the textbook.
5. Introduce students to TOCFL.

Advanced Mandarin Class:
In-Person – Sunday 1:30pm-3:00pm + (TBA) Online Class time

1. Primarily focus on listening, and be able to talk with relatives, family, and people to express ideas and be familiar with cultural topics.
2. Imitates modeled words and phrases using tone and pronunciation similar to that of the models presented in the textbooks.
3. Limited practical writing practice, such as short messages and notes, by recombining learned vocabulary in Chinese characters and Pinyin and structures to form simple sentences on very familiar topics
4. Build an increased awareness of the culture of Taiwan using video, maps, published magazines, and diverse online resources to encourage peer discussion and sharing.
5. Set aside for language projects, symposiums, posters, speech contests, and other formats.

The Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL)

All students will participate and ultimately pass “The Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL)” which is jointly promoted by the Ministry of Education, Overseas Community Affairs Council, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from (1) Novice level, (2) Band A (3) Band B (4) Band C. Participation of the tests is NOT a required for joining any of the classes but highly encouraged.

Children’s Mandarin Mock Exam Download:
兒童華語文能力測驗(CCCC)模擬試題下載 – Google Drive

Adult TOCFL Practice Exam Download:
華測模擬試題下載 – Google Drive

Online Practice Exam 線上練習平台:
The interface is similar to an actual exam (介面就跟電腦測驗一樣)
https://cbt.sc-top.org.tw/sctopj/

For additional Information:
TOCFL – https://www.tw.org/tocfl/
TOCFL Test – https://tocfl.edu.tw/index.php/exam/test
華語文能力測驗簡介 – https://depart.moe.edu.tw/LA/cp.aspx

2024 – 2025 School Year

Fall 2024:       September 8th, 2024 – December 15th, 2024
Spring 2025: January 5th, 2025 – May 2025

In Person
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced Levels
Sunday 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Cabin John Middle School
10701 Gainsborough Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Online
Monday 7:30-9:00 pm (intermediate Conversation)
Wednesday 7:30-9:00 pm (Basic Conversation)
Thursday 8:00-9:00 pm (Theme-based discussion)

Link will be provided after registration.

Tuition (In Person or Online):
$170 / semester;   $280 / school year.

Tuition (In Person and Online):
$200 / semester;   $330 / school year.

Register Here!

Contact Info
Email: [email protected]

Instructor Biographies

Janice Chang

I am Janice Chang; l teach advanced conversation for Washington DC Taiwanese School- Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning. I am a retiree as a senior IT specialist from Montgomery County Government for the past 29 years; l taught Gaithersburg Chinese School from 1980-1999; l am currently a teacher from Literacy Council of Montgomery County, and have been an on-line Mandarin & English teacher since 2009 for students ranging from 68 – 4 years old.

Shu-Yuan Tung

I am Shu-Yuan Tung. I have been a Chinese language teacher in Chinese schools in the Washington Metropolitan area for more than 25 years. I am also a FASCA Adviser since 2016.

Li-Ing Liu

My name is Li-Ing Liu. I am currently teaching the Adult Intermediate Mandarin Class at Washington DC Taiwanese School (WDCTS) which is one of the Taiwan Centers for Mandarin Learning. I have been teaching various levels of Mandarin classes for children and/or adults for over 15 years. Besides teaching Mandarin classes at WDCTS, I am also deeply involved in the Taiwanese American Community. I have served as either the chairperson or board member for several Taiwanese American Associations at different time periods. When I am not teaching Mandarin, I work at a Health Insurance Company as a Lead Business Analyst. In my free time, I love hiking with family and friends.

Hwadee Soong

—Volunteer for Meals On Wheels, Holiday Park Senior Center and teaching adults Mandarin at WDCTS. —Retired from MCPS in 2015. —Had taught Mandarin for weekend Chinese schools more than 20 years.

Student Testimonials

Adult Advanced Mandarin Class Students Testimonials

Adult Intermediate Mandarin Class Students Testimonials

About Washington DC Taiwanese School

Washington DC Taiwanese School (WDCTS) was established in 1983, sponsored by the Taiwanese Youth Arts Foundation (TYAF). Teaching Taiwanese languages and preserving Taiwanese culture has been the mission of WDCTS. The tradition of the school has always been small class size, frequent interactions between teachers/staff and parents/students, and providing diverse ways of learning. In addition to the regular classroom sections, the school also offers Taiwanese experiences to students and friends through folk art demonstrations, cultural performances, Taiwanese children’s play, and so on. There are fall and spring semesters each year, which start in September and January respectively. Presently, students aged 1.5 years old to adult are accepted. Washington DC Taiwanese School welcomes not only students from all fluency levels but also those who are interested in joining the school staff and activities.
Washington DC Taiwanese School has Mandarin, Taiwanese and Japanese classes for all levels and ages. In addition to language courses, the school also has diversified Taiwanese cultural activities such as talent shows, speech contests, word recognition contests, summer camps, and hosted traditional festivals such as dragon boat festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year festival… etc.
The Washington DC Taiwanese School plays an important role in leading Taiwanese Americans to present the “Taiwanese culture” to the mainstream community and offers to diversify class options and embed the culture into the learning. The students are not only here to learn the language, but they will also get exposed to the whole Taiwanese culture and activities to make their learning experience fun!