Alumni Spotlights

Cong Dong(Jojo) holds a masters degree in Chinese Linguistics and Literature from Ewha Women’s University in South Korea and is continuing to work toward her Ph.D. She has taught Chinese and Korean language for more than 6 years.

Last year Jojo graduated from CIFLTE's certificate program in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL) at Teachers College,Columbia University. From the program, she developed a thorough understanding of teaching methods for second language acquisition, with an emphasis on task-based language teaching.

Her thesis on this subject has been selected for presentation at the 17th New York International Conference on Teaching Chinese.

I arrived in New York after a trying twenty-two hours flight and endured through the harsh winter cold. But discomforts were swiftly overshadowed when greeted by the beautiful gothic architecture that is Columbia University Teachers’ College. And through the dusk of winter, came the dawn of spring; a bountiful journey I had stepped into. 

During my time in Columbia University, I took great diligence in my academic progress while spending my free time as a part-time of Chinese teacher at a middle school in Connecticut. I was interviewed by Connecticut Channel 12 News station on the subject of educating Chinese inside a classroom. And in New York central, I opened a Chinese program in a Korean-English school that attracted many Koreans and Japanese who were passionate about learning the language. I also took on the role of vice-principal in the New Jersey Asian Academy to share and enlighten about the Chinese culture.

I spent thirty years living in Singapore and my research direction of MA and PhD is towards education and applied language –the focus of application of language. I was the Chinese and Art teacher for multiple globally chained International schools in Singapore, namely, American, Australian, Canadian and Eton house.

I established the SCH ENTERPRISE SINGAPORE 新加坡沃能国际教育企业 in Singapore twelve years ago. This enterprise consults on foreign studies for prospective parents and provides the one-stop service of care, management, discipline, academic supervision and hostel needs of any student from overseas. The enterprise currently has its offices in Singapore, China and the United States .My education and experience from Columbia University had played an inseparable role in instilling confidence and a peace of mind in my clients, which often were concerned parents.

In these fifteen years, I maintained editorial positions in various reputable magazines. It began from a book editor for 《新华文学大系》poetry and song collection, prose literature collection and the editor for a microfiction collection. My published book had been added to every national library in Singapore and my thesis won me a grand prize and monetary reward. While perusing my education in Columbia University, I was the Chief Editor for Columbia University’s《知行》publication.

My favorite memory of Columbia University was the solemn scholar spirit the campus permeated, students’ hundred-percent mental investment and after graduating, I could say one thing to myself without a shadow of a doubt – “I had truly learnt something and broadened my horizon”. If you are sincerely about elevating your educational philosophy and skills, apply to TCSOL and it will be worth your time!

Mengyao (Michelle) is a first-year M.S.Ed. TESOL student at University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, a certified Pennsylvania ESL Program Specialist, and a facilitator for the PEDAL@GSE (Practical English for Daily Living) High-Advanced Discussion Circle. Michelle received her TCSOL certificate by attending the 2015 TCSOL Summer Certificate Program offered by Columbia University’s Teacher’s College in Beijing. Before coming to Penn GSE, Michelle studied journalism, theater, and applied linguistics at Penn State University. She taught English at a elementary school in Nepal in 2013, and University of Cuenca in Ecuador in 2015. More recently, Michelle has worked as a facilitator for the Philadelphia University City Arts League Mandarin class and a facilitator for the PEDAL@GSE Advanced Class in fall 2016.

Hi, there. My name is Xie Shaodong, feel free to call me Bruce. I am from Lanzhou city, a city that is only famous for a local snack called beef noodles, so I guess I am the most average guy that you can find in daily life.
Frankly speaking, I had never expected myself to be a teacher of any kind, because my dream was to be a painter or a cartoonist when I was younger. Well, I guess things don’t always go my way. Before I knew it, I had to take part-time jobs as a teacher at the age of 18. I didn’t like teaching. I did it for the money that I needed back then. 12 years in this career path, I have a different perspective about being a teacher now, because I finally acquire the sense of satisfaction and content while doing it, I feel it every time when a student told me he has been accepted by his dream school. I feel it every time when a student smiles instead of frowns while learning second language. I feel it every time when a student says “Xie Xie”, which means thank you in Chinese.

I can’t remember who said this, but someone said it. “You can’t change the past, but you can hold on to your future.” I hope this inspires you as much as it inspires me and my students.

As a girl takes pride in glorious Chinese language and culture, and desires to promote it internationally, I’m now studying Teaching Chinese As Foreign Language in Jimei University. The excellent academic record won me the opportunity to study as an exchange student at National Changhua University in Taiwan where I gained a new perspective on Chinese. In April of 2016, as the only university student invited, I attended a TCSOL seminar organized by Fudan University. Besides, In TCSOL 2016 Summer Dual Program organized by Columbia University and Beijing Language and Culture University, I took courses offered by world-class professors. These activities provide good opportunities for me to share the visions, values and approaches with elites in TCSOL industry. I will continue my study in this field at The University of Hong Kong as a master degree. Apart from working as a Chinese teacher in Chinese Learning Summer Camp for Filipino students, I interned at Changsha WES Academy where I gave a full play of what I had learned. This was the first time I came into contact with IB courses and it was a challenge for me to fully master its free education approaches.

In general, professional education background and the excellent hands-on practice performance demonstrate my passion and excellence in Chinese proficiency and international Chinese teaching.

After graduated from University majored in journalism, I have been a language teacher both in and out of China for around three years, through which I found my passion in language teaching and set it as my career goal. In 2015, I joined both the TCSOL Summer program in Beijing and the TCSOL certificate program in NYC. In the following April, I graduated from the TCSOL program as a distinctive student and got hired as a Chinese language instructor at the Chinese Tutoring Program in Teachers College. In fall 2016, I also started to work as a Teaching Associate of Chinese Language Program in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University. During the eight-month teaching period in the United States, I taught different students ranging from children to adults, from true beginners to advanced speakers, including professors, college students, and graduates in Columbia University, office workers in New York City, and younger learners in K-12. I deeply enjoyed the time spent with all my students. Not only did we have great sessions covering many interesting topics, but also helped them improve the integrated language competence, in other words, the ability to communicate with others naturally and authentically. As a language teacher, the experiences I had with both the TCSOL program and the CTP program prepared me as a more sensitive, flexible, and qualified educator to different learners' needs and interests. What's more, it is also a great opportunity for me to reflect on and modify my teaching style and methods. Thus, I really do appreciate everything that the TCSOL program has brought to me. Currently, I am a master student in the program of Cognitive Science in Education at Teachers College. And I have to admit that it was the TCSOL program that paved the way to my career goal. Thank all the professors and staff members for helping me in so many ways, and thank you for the resources and opportunities provided to me! I was, and I will always be so proud of being a part of the TCSOL family!

My name is Xin Zhang and I have lived in New York City for over 15 years. I arrived from China when I was 15 years old and attended America public High School in New York City. I then graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and dreamed about being a photographer one day. However, the dream is always far from the reality.

In my late 20, I discover that I have passion in teaching Chinese language.  I now own a small Chinese tutoring service in the Upper West Side, New York City.

I have over five years of experience teaching children at Preschool of America, China Institute and through private tutoring. I am fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English and I consider Chinese to be my first language. My engaging style and natural affection for children bring me so much joy at work. I hope, in the near future, helping more children to get the most out of his or her Chinese learning experience!

Zhang Yiping, CIFLTE student in 2015, is undertaking a Ph.D. in Discourse Analysis and holds a Master of Curriculum and Teaching Methodology. Currently she is teaching at Beijing Language and Culture University, with a teaching experience of 10 years. She participated in the edition of “Great Wall Chinese” and other teaching materials. In 2015 she participated in the “Young Teachers Basic Skills Competition” in Beijing Language and Culture University, achieving second place. In the summer of 2008 and 2009 she taught at Harvard Beijing Academy. Besides Chinese teaching, she is interested in teacher training, and now is also working as a Chinese teacher trainer at the Chinese Language Teaching Association of China.

Yongtai came to the U.S. in 2008 to pursue better education after graduating high school. She obtained her bachelor degree in major of Early Childhood & Childhood Education from SUNY New Paltz and became a New York State certified teacher. After working as a Mandarin teacher in both of public and private school systems for two years in NYC, she decided to go back to school and equipped herself. She graduated from TCSOL program in Teachers College in 2015 and started to teach bilingual preschoolers in Tribeca. Currently, she is pursuing her master degree in major of Childhood Bilingual Education at Hunter College; meanwhile, she is leading elite bilingual gifted & talented and STEAM programs for young children in Upper East Side New York City.

Hello, my name is Yuanyuan Gu. I am from Shanghai, China. I have a passion for educating children of various ages. In addition, I also have been teaching children for more than 8 years and am certified both in TESOL and TCSOL education.

Currently, I work as a Chinese Language Content Developer for an educational publisher in New York. We develop Chinese language teaching and learning materials for New York City. In 2014, I participated the TCSOL certification program in Columbia University. I have a passion for teaching and believe that this program has helped me gain the necessary experience and knowledge to be a successful educator. During this program, I learned many advanced theories and methods of second language acquisition and had many opportunities to apply these principles with students in the classroom. Those experiences are very precious and rewarding to me. Also, they have had a great impact on me and on my current job now. I have also made many great friends teaching and learned a lot from them as well. I feel that when you enjoy what you do, it will show and will be reflected to others around you. And that is the impression that I want to leave with the students that I teach.

Michelle Tomizawa

COO of Manhattan Mandarin

2018-2019 TCSOL One Year Certificate Program

Harmonizing Passion & Purpose: Michelle Tomizawa's Symphony of Mandarin Education Journey

The TCSOL community boasts a rich tapestry of luminaries who have championed the knowledge and values of the program. Among them shines Michelle Tomizawa, embodying commitment and innovation within the sphere of Mandarin education.

Michelle's eclectic journey – transitioning from the world of voice, piano, and accounting – converged at the heart of Mandarin education. This trajectory, which many in the community find both relatable and inspiring, serves as a vivid testament to the transformative allure of language. Drawn by the capacity of language to bridge vast human divides, Michelle's pursuit of education echoed a community-held belief in the limitless potential of linguistic connection.

In 2012, the landscape of Mandarin education welcomed a new bloom named Manhattan Mandarin, dedicated to fostering after-school Mandarin learning programs. This institution's growth trajectory took a significant turn in 2017 when Michelle Tomizawa stepped into its echelons as the business partner and Chief Operating Officer. With a strategic vision for her professional development, Michelle, an avid language enthusiast and a polyglot fluent in Chinese, Japanese, and English, pursued a profound understanding of language acquisition. She enrolled in the TCSOL One Year Certificate Program, seamlessly integrating her prior experience in language learning and teaching into a comprehensive theoretical framework. Michelle's commitment extended beyond mere theoretical knowledge as she wholeheartedly embraced a practical approach, actively immersing herself in teaching experiences on the frontlines.

This immersive journey through the TCSOL program reshaped Michelle's understanding of Mandarin education. She experienced a profound shift, transitioning from the realm of a learner to the insights of a teacher, a metamorphosis she hadn't fully anticipated. The program's rich curriculum, brimming with practical opportunities, enabled Michelle to seamlessly integrate academic theories into actionable strategies at Manhattan Mandarin. The shared wisdom from fellow alumni further enriched this journey, reinforcing the tangible, real-world impact of the TCSOL program. Beyond the curriculum, Michelle emphasizes the program's unparalleled networking potential. From fostering connections among Mandarin teachers and curating internship opportunities for students, to facilitating collaborations among alumni for teacher recommendations, information sharing, and job prospects, the community's spirit thrived, echoing a sentiment of unity and mutual growth.

The ripples of Michelle's experiences with TCSOL are evident in Manhattan Mandarin's evolving ethos. Under her guidance, the institution fine-tuned its curriculum to meet the diverse needs of its learners. The after-school programs, intricately designed with an emphasis on cultural integration, aim to kindle students' intrinsic motivation, while their adult classes cater to a spectrum of needs, ranging from test preparation to addressing professional demands. Interestingly, even as the sole official test center for HSK and YCT exams in the tri-state area, Manhattan Mandarin doesn't tether itself to a test-centric approach. Instead, inspired by the TCSOL program, they've transformed standard test textbooks, prioritizing the practicality of language use. Keeping pace with the ever-evolving pedagogical landscape, Manhattan Mandarin incorporated cutting-edge methodologies such as Task-Based Language Teaching, a cornerstone of the TCSOL curriculum. Their technological foray, particularly during the challenges posed by the pandemic, paved the way for a swift transition to online teaching. Now, with a footprint in seven cities, including the global hub of London, Manhattan Mandarin's offerings span the gamut from early childhood programs to comprehensive adult language education.

As the future unfolds, Michelle envisions a world where Mandarin's melodies seamlessly blend with diverse cultures, captivating even those in non-Chinese households. This landscape, orchestrated with broad strokes of adaptability and innovation, eagerly awaits the masterful touch of TCSOL graduates.

Michelle’s journey with Manhattan Mandarin isn't just a solo; it's a harmonious symphony that encompasses the profound contributions TCSOL alumni bring to the grand orchestra of language education. Inspired by her tune, may every alumnus feel invigorated to contribute their unique notes, ensuring our collective symphony resounds with ever-growing passion, purpose, and unity.