Behind the success of one of North America’s largest, most comprehensive Chinese language programs is a huge team of very capable volunteers. These volunteers form the backbone of UBC’s Chinese Language Program, helping mentor hundreds of avid Chinese learners through the CLP’s oral language practice program, among many other cross-cultural activities.
Fellow CHIN student and volunteer Shih-Wei Wang, with one of the workshop activities!
“I really want to be involved with the CLP volunteer team because of the supportive community they bring. In my journey to learning more about my heritage, I’ve had amazing people who taught me inspirational stories about what it means to be Asian-Canadian, and now I want to contribute & help inspire others too.”
— Volunteer and CHIN 243 student Shih-Wei Wang
Jiahui Tu, a volunteer from the National Chengchi University in Taiwan attentively participating in the workshop!
“It’s my first time to attend a volunteer training workshop overseas with almost two hundred people online! The workshop was well organized and efficient…I realized that a volunteer is not only to help students improve Chinese or broaden their Asian culture perspective, but help volunteers [themselves] learn to organize, to communicate, to guide, to cooperate, even to deepen [their] thinking. I believe the tips and experience shared from teachers and volunteers will be really useful in the future.”
— Jiahui Tu, fourth-year graduate student from National Chengchi University in Taiwan
Volunteer Sophia Tao, concentrating on the presentation at hand!
“It was my first time participating in this program, but I feel so involved and amazed at its passion, profession, and well-organization… I am more than passionate about the volunteer work of teaching and helping the lovely learners of the Chinese language.”
— Volunteer Sophia Tao, current Ph.D. student at UBC
The Chinese Language Program held their annual Volunteer Training Workshop this past Saturday, January 23rd. Despite being separated by distance, the CLP was able to reach international communities, with over 140 student volunteers from all over the globe in attendance — hailing from all over Canada, to Asia, to even Russia. A number of volunteers from National Chengchi University in Taiwan were in attendance as well, all graduate students learning how to teach Chinese as a second language. Over the course of three hours, student volunteers were not only introduced to professional development opportunities under the Chinese Language Program, but also learned about their responsibilities as mentors to Chinese language students from both heritage and non-heritage streams, through a variety of informing and engaging activities.
Volunteer Aichen Wang from National Chengchi University, participating in the workshop all the way from Taiwan!
“The volunteer training workshop was very well organized…I also enjoyed the interactive activities where we worked with other volunteers and TAs. Discussing the exercises and role playing teacher-student interactions ourselves allowed us to understand what methods of teaching would be more beneficial for the student, and what kinds of questions students may have.”
— Aichen Wang, third-year graduate student from National Chengchi University
Volunteer Rebecca Zhang, participating in a workshop activity.
“I want to be a part of this program to meet people from all around the world and help them improve their Chinese learning experience.”
— Volunteer Rebecca Zhang, second-year UBC Forestry student majoring in Natural Resource Conservation
These Volunteer Training Workshop activities not only aimed to provide training, but also served to inspire the future TAs and WorkLearns of the Chinese Language Program. Professor Hsiang-ning Sunnie Wang began the workshop by giving an introduction to what it means to be a volunteer during an age of online education. To better prepare volunteers for their upcoming responsibilities, lecturer Pihua Lin introduced the oral practice program and prepared volunteers for different scenarios they might face, while lecturer Li-Jung Lee emphasized the differences between the language learning needs of heritage and non-heritage students, leading students in lively simulation activities in discussions.
Volunteer Hsi-tong Ting (Claire Ting) attentively participating in the workshop in Taiwan!
“In the workshop, I’ve learned a lot from Professor Wang (Sunnie Wang). She provided all kinds of useful and precious skills to us. Aside from this, experiences from previous volunteers, which they shared with us, are very impressive! Their experiences really encouraged me. I hope I could be as outstanding as they are! It’s my pleasure to have a chance to volunteer in this program!”
—Hsi-tong Ting (Claire Ting), a masters student of Taiwan National Cheng-Chi University
Volunteer Haowen Shi, focused on the workshop!
“我认为今天活动的高光时刻是各位前辈分享他们在志愿者活动中的经历和从项目中获得 的成长 (I think the highlight of today’s activities was when each [current TAs/WorkLearns] shared their experience volunteering, and the growth they achieved from the program.)”
— Haowen Shi, third-year UBC sociology student
WorkLearn students Aydin Quach and Camille Zeng were able to motivate many eager volunteers with their personal testimonies, as they each shared their personal journeys within the Chinese Language Program. They described obstacles that they faced starting out as volunteers, and explained how they were able to learn and grow from each experience and into their roles as WorkLearn students within the Chinese Language Program today.
A conversation on the program’s Code of Conduct was facilitated by WorkLearn student Qijiang Zhao. The discussion served as a platform for volunteers to enhance their understanding of the ethical aspect of their job, as well as their global citizen role in language learning engagement.
Zhao shared her own experience interning at an international organization. Similar to the UN, the Chinese Language program is also extremely diverse; participants worldwide bring a variety of experiences, customs, and viewpoints in support of the program’s mission. In alignment with UBC’s core value, committing to a culture of being responsible for their conduct and actions is therefore one of the program’s priorities.
Social Promotion and Event Group Coordinator Aydin Quach shares his learning experience as a volunteer in the Chinese Language Program. (Picture from Rae Xu)
Volunteer YuHsiang Shen attending the workshop from Taiwan!
“It was very amazing to meet lots of volunteers from various places through the Internet and I am glad I can work in such an energetic and connected team. Also, thanks to the instructors’ detailed guidance and experience shared by Camille Zeng and Aydin Quach especially, those are very inspiring and pointed out the way where I can go and I know I will grow and improve with everyone such as the attitude I show, the way I talk, the principle I should insist. This training workshop really helps.”
— YuHsiang Shen, second-year graduate student from National Chengchi University
The Chinese Language Program hosted an incredibly successful Volunteer Training Workshop, leaving volunteers confident and motivated, prepared to mentor this semester’s language learners in their Chinese-learning journeys. Let’s continue to encourage and cheer on the exceptional group of volunteers who will be working consistently to make the Chinese Language Program the amazing program it is today!
