Pictured here (from left 1-2) Julie A. Caldarone, Director of World Languages Academics of Boston Public Schools and Director Cynthia Huang of the Education Division of TECO Boston and some participants.
After three years, the physical Convention of American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) was resumed in Boston from November 18th to 20th 2022, as the autumn air was cool and fresh. Moreover, the “Taiwan Night - Networking for Progress" debuted in Boston on November 18th 2022 with over 100 attendees. This event was supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and in cooperation with the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET). It provided a unique opportunity for educators in Taiwan and the United States to connect and collaborate with each other. Since the launch of the 2020 U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative, this is the first large-scale gathering of Taiwan-US Mandarin language educators in the New England region of America. The exchange of information and opinions between Taiwanese delegates and foreign language executives from U.S. educational institutions at all levels will build on the existing foundation for future cooperation between the two countries in Mandarin language education and establish a sustainable vision.
A total of 28 delegates came from 12 universities and related organizations in Taiwan, including Mandarin Culture University, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, National Cheng Kung University, National Taiwan Normal University, Tamkang University, Shih Chien University, Fu Jen Catholic University, etc.
The U.S. participants included Boston Public Schools, Mandarin language teachers and foreign language directors from elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts, Maine, Indiana, and Maryland, as well as Mandarin language program directors and professors from Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Williams College, Indiana University Bloomington, Hunter College, and the University of Rhode Island attended the event. Of all the institutes, the last three mentioned are part of the U.S. Language Flagship initiative of National Security Education Program (NSEP).
Date:12/05/2022