Our Mandarin classes for children have been researched and developed for children who are both native and non-native Chinese speakers. Currently, the majority of children who attend our classes are non-native speakers. Our Mandarin Stars community is diverse and we welcome children from all cultural backgrounds.
Ni hao!
What a great week it has been at Mandarin Stars!
The ceremony was held at the NSW State Parliament and I was very proud to represent Mandarin Stars.
The ceremony represents a ‘contribution to the healing of the nation and to our sense of community at a deeper. More meaningful level’. It was hosted by The Hon, Maria Ficarra MLC and we all enjoyed a moving story by Aunty Ali Golding, respected Aboriginal elder who ‘stepped up to facilitate the process of reconciling us to this land and its ancestors.’ Women from all different cultural and religious backgrounds participated to ‘affirm that we are “sisters in spirit and heart”.’
As I look back at our achievements at Mandarin Stars in delivering our Mandarin Chinese lessons for children across Sydney- the ceremony also reinforced to me something that has really been brewing away at me for a long time.
In teaching Mandarin to our students (some of whom are just toddlers!), and in recognition of the cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity of our parent community, the ceremony really homed in to me the contribution and responsibility myself and the teachers have in promoting and facilitating cultural harmony. In teaching Mandarin Chinese as a language, we already naturally start to teach culture and also a sense of other cultures. I guess, in many ways- we also start to break down cultural barriers through language learning and what a powerful thing that is!
One of our focuses this year at Mandarin Stars is to develop how we can contribute back to society from a cultural perspective. If anyone has any ideas- I would love to know.
Wishing you a peaceful harmonious day and weekend ahead!
Xie xie!
Dawna.
Ni hao!
The Shen Yun Performing Arts are coming to be Sydney!
Check out:
http://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/
This superb performance will be at Luna Park on the 9 – 19th May, 2010, Sydney!
Enjoy!
Dawna.
