On August 20, 2020, the Greater Princeton Branch of AYLUS (GPA) launched its Bilingual Tutoring Program. GPA members Catherine Feng, Yixin Shirley Zhang, Ryan Tian, Xiangcheng Samuel Ying, Ruofei Olivia Mao, Aishia Hu, Feiying Qian (Houston Branch), Cindy Qiu (Houston Branch), Bo Wen (Houston Branch), Daniel He (Houston Branch), Allen Zhang, and more, are to provide one-to-one Chinese-English speaking and communication to their students across the country.
They will have conversations over various video calling platforms, such as Zoom or Facetime, with Chinese and American students about topics they are interested in, such as movies, games, and school.
See below for the flyers for the AYLUS Chinese & English Tutoring Program, produced by Catherine Feng and Shirley Zhang (2 hours each on 8/20, 2020).
Catherine Feng and Yixin Shirley Zhang teamed up on Friday, 8/21, to tutor a student for an hour session from 2:00-3:00 pm, on how to write their name and introduce themselves using Chinese. Yixin Shirley Zhang also taught her student Daniel a few Chinese poems for an hour on Monday, 8/23, from 4:00-5:00 pm. Ryan Tian taught English to two kids from 7:30pm EST to 9:30pm EST on Saturday, 8/29. Allen Zhang taught English to a student in New York for 3 hours on 8/20.
More information on this student-run program:
We will teach them phrases and pronunciation in the language they wish to learn (the language used during the conversations can be very flexible. For example, if the tutee wants to learn Chinese and are a beginner, we would speak with them in English and translate some phrases for them during the conversation, and teach them how to pronounce these phrases). Other than just speaking and communication, the material taught can probably adjust depending on the tutee’s needs and what they already know.
There are many people who could be interested in getting Chinese tutoring, especially if they are taking Chinese in school and want a chance to brush up on their speaking skills over the summer, or if they are preparing to take the AP Chinese exam (you could even go over some Chinese culture or stories with them). Other than that, many people are also interested in just learning how to speak in a new language.
In fact, we have already secured a group of students interested in participating in this program. We think there can be a wide age range and racial background for the students in this program. For example, one student we have secured isn’t of Chinese ethnicity, but is interested in learning conversational Chinese.
We plan to teach elderly Chinese people, including those living in nursing homes, some English through having conversations with them. We hope this serves not only as a cultural exchange program but also as caring and supporting for the mental needs of many elderly.
These sessions will probably be in more of a one-on-one format or a similar small group setting to help facilitate speaking between everyone involved. It would also be an ongoing project, where you would tutor once or twice a week, depending on what you and your tutee work out.
Ms. Su Wei, who has over 20 years Chinese-English Bilingual teaching experience in the Princeton area, is giving AYLUS students a hand to become the advisor.
Please contact us at aylusgreaterprinceton@gmail.com if you would like to join us as a tutor, or become a tutee!
