Hui Chen (陈蕙)

I am so grateful for being able to participate in the 2014 Startalk Chinese Teacher Academy at University of Virginia. This professional development program was one of the best I have had. The way Professor Tseng delivered content and materials was communication-oriented, task-based, and student-centered. Through her communicative and interactive teaching model, I learned a lot on student centered learning, the communicative and task-based language teaching, authentic materials, and 100% target language. Through Chen lao shi's technology workshop, I learned the latest technology in the field of education.
I also learned how to be a loving, caring, collaborating Chinese teacher. Prof. Tseng and her group of master teachers set themselves as positive examples for us. I will never forget that Dr. Wu ( Professor Tseng’s husband) called me right before the program started to make sure my food allergy free; During the training days, Professor Tseng lived in the hotel with us; So many nights Professor Tseng and the master teachers stayed up late with us to provide scaffolding, to share their ideas and resources, to cheer us up, and to model themselves on how to be a team player. Indeed, my peer teachers and I practiced cooperative learning throughout the whole training program. We loved, cared, shared and supported each other, learned from each other, and got thematic unit plan done effectively and collaboratively.
I couldn’t wait to apply what I have learned into my our teaching practices.Thank you all!