THE CULTURE COURSE
An Interactive Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture
Come learn and laugh with us...
A completely new concept in discovering the richness and beauty of the Chinese Culture.
Designed specifically for youth and families.
An unique way to discover the richness and beauty of the Chinese Culture.
We provide the costumes, crafts, conversations and creativity. You provide the audience.
Chinese youth will provide plenty of hours of engagement and interaction as they share with you about their ancient heritage.
Great for all ages.
Great for schools, churches, youth groups and homeschools.
Where else could you find one-on-one Chinese Conversation and Chinese Calligraphy hosted by Chinese youth.
Culture Courses usually run for week, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. and are hosted by a church, school or civic organization.
The Course is led by one of ENCOUNTERS trained and experienced staff, but relies mainly on the interaction and integration of the Chinese students with the American students.
Topics covered are:
Mandarin Conversation
Characters Recognition
Elementary Writing
Culture and Art
Customs and Traditions
By the end of the week students will:
Be able to hold a very basic introductory conversation with a native Mandarin speaker.
Be able to recognize some key and important characters.
Be able to write their name in Chinese.
Have been introduced to some fascinating cultural and historical aspects of the Chinese.
Have a greater understanding of the rich symbolism of the culture.
Level Two builds upon Level One, with the added ability to read a Chinese menu and order their meal.
We ask hosting organizations to provide host families for about 10 days (see What’s Expected Page). We provide the Culture Course, but request American youth take our Chinese students out in afternoons and share with them the beauty of American Culture.
Look at what you have to look forward to....
What's Expected:
The most important part of hosting a student is providing a loving, welcoming and honoring environment.
The very next key is to be open and flexible.
The fascinating world of inviting a young person from another country, another culture can be such a rewarding experience.
Many host families share how simple things like shopping and cooking take on a whole new approach as they share their daily lives with others.
As a host family, you will be responsible for providing a separate bed and a safe, clean environment. You will also be asked to provide meals, although several times they will be eating out (see schedule) as well as being responsible for drop offs and pick ups at designated locations.
We ask you to share you daily lives with them. Some of the most memorable experiences for young Chinese are in doing such simple things as:
•Learning how to make a bed, wash clothes/fold clothes or set a table
•Making a salad (Taco Salad is a favorite)
•Making salsa
•Baking potatoes (just bake a bag of spuds, and put out toppings such as cheddar cheese, sour cream, bacon, sauteed onions, etc.
•Baking cookies or a cake
•Baking a pumpkin pie
Some suggestions for fast food:
•Quizno Subs
•El Pollo Loco
•Taco Bell
•In and Out Burger
•Costco Hotdogs/ Pizza
•Gyros
•Thai fast food
•Indian Fast food
•Safeway (Fridays are Family Day and you can pick up a meal for quite a reasonable price)
We don’t recommend MacDonald’s or Kentucky Fried Chicken as they are already quite popular in China. We also do not recommend taking them out for Chinese food.
