A different kind of end of the year

We just had our very first virtual end of the academic year party and disappointingly, this is not what we have expected to celebrate our tenth anniversary.  There’re so much elements were missing.  There’s no nice food, no workshops, no stage for students, no chitchat with parents and no hugs.  We also missed patting kids’ heads or shoulders.

We want to express our gratitude toward parents, students and teachers for all they have done. 謝謝 谢谢Xièxiè.  Wish everyone a very good summer and hope to see you in September.

都柏林中文學校上課進度不受新冠肺炎影響 #Covid-19

二月二十八日媒體報導第一個新冠肺炎案例進口到愛爾蘭.  愛爾蘭總理 Leo Varadkar 在三月十二日宣布，當日將關閉所有公私立學校，托兒所, 幼稚園以及成人教育和高等教育等機構，直至三月二十九日，以支持遏制Covid-19新冠肺炎擴散的努力。又在三月二十日宣布學校等機構繼續關閉到復活節假期後(四月十九日), 以符合國家公共衛生應急小組的建議。

都柏林中文學校為了減少對教與學的影響，我們停課兩個週六並給予學生家庭作業後決定繼續學校計劃課程. 利用科技產品提供在線課程已經實施兩個週六並受到學生及家長的好評。於是大家都贊成在復活節的兩個周六假期用網路方式補課.  我們在線上上課所用到產品有: Zoom, Padlet, Kahoot, Quizlet live, Powerpoint 和 YouTube.

有許多傳聞表示愛爾蘭的教育部很可能會趨向跟進英國的法令, 停課到九月.  本校以目前網路上課的標準來看, 繼續到暑假是沒什麼問題.  唯一遺憾的是我們的文化課程佔相當於三分之二的課, 而無法利用網路上課. 故我們有待加強學習對這方面的教與學.

Thanks to the #LongCreations for creating this wonderful #Covid-19 Capsule worksheets.
I have added in Chinese for some of the pages for our pupils. Download it here.

愛爾蘭週, 詩+音樂會 The Poetry and Music event in celebration with Seachtain na Gaeilge

We are delighted to sponsor for this event and glad that some of our pupils will be taking part to read the poems and etc.

開學囖！Kāixué lo! The class is back!

Our first term is starting on Saturday 14th Sept. from 1-3pm for 14 weeks with mid term break on 2nd Nov and the last class is on 21st Dec. The fee for this term is 140 euro, 10% discount apply for siblings.
The certificate will be awarded at the end of the year base on the scores that are made of the following criteria: attendance, classroom performance, home work and exam at the end of each term.
The first week will cover introduction, assessment and after the break, we will be doing the dough figurine workshop and a little celebration for the mid autumn festival. As the numbers enrolled was small this year, quite a few expressed the interests in culinary art for the immersion class so we will run more culinary workshop but will include other interests too from time to time. See you next Saturday!

Enrolment for Sept 2019/20 is open now

Enrolment for Sept 2019/20 is open now. 

We are moving our classes to Saturday from 13:00-15:00 at NWETSS. It is acknowledged that culture element plays an important part in motivation and I am a firm believer in immersion language learning. Therefore, I would like to introduce an innovative way of Saturday Chinese school. Students will learn with their peers based on their level for the 1st half of the lesson. After a short break, there will be a number of immersive activities and the student can chose which they would like to join for the 2nd half and immerse in Chinese while doing something engaging. For example, my son will be taking the CEFR level B for the first half and he will go to the culinary art for his second half. Students can try different immersive activities from time to time.
To sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gbWwXqg

Highlights of 2019 Chinese Summer Camp, with many thanks to our volunteers: Jia Ru Li and Roisin Furlong
Special Thanks to the volunteering teacher Chuck Chang with support from 海華文教基金會 (Overseas Compatriot Culture and Education Foundation Taiwan) and 僑務委員會 OCAC.
都柏林中文學校夏令營花絮, 感謝志工：Jia Ru Li and Roisin Furlong的幫忙。特別感謝：海華文教基金會/僑務委員會的志工張祐齊老師的協助。

恭喜 Gōngxǐ Congratulations #TOCFL #CCCC

Congratulations To Shane Lin and Oscar He for your accomplishment for scoring highest in your groups at TOCFL/CCCC tests. You will be awarded with Amazon vouchers which we are grateful for the sponsorship from the Ministry of Education. Well done to all who passed the test.

都柏林彩虹遊行Dublin Pride Parade 2019

Taiwan’s first Pride was held in the capital Taipei in 2003 and it was the biggest in Asia last year with the estimated turnout of 137,000 in the annual rally’s 16 years of history.  However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for the LGBTQ community in Taiwan since the movement started in the early 90s.  On 17th May this year, same-sex marriage is legalised in Taiwan and it became the first country in Asia to recognise marriage equality. #FirstInAsia #LoveWon

Chinese Summer Camp 12th to 16th Aug. 2019

Summer Mandarin Chinese Immersion Camp is now enrolling! 12th to 16th Aug, 2019 from 10:00-15:00. 中文夏令營開放報名，8月12-16日。
Each year, we design a brand new theme based Summer Mandarin Immersion Camp to entertain the students and the theme for 2019 is learning all about the 16 indigenous tribes in Taiwan. We would be keeping the old tradition too as pupils love them - activities such X factor, calligraphy, Chinese painting, Chinese culinary art, arts & crafts, outdoor games and soundmapping project. Please send us an email at info@dsmc.biz or call at 0879911614 if you have any questions. Cost: €150 per week including fruits, snacks, water and lunch (10% sibling discount). https://forms.gle/2bGi3LVWhtCKJdoy8

Gift of Language

I wrote this for the Mother Tongues Ireland in May 2019.

https://mothertongues.ie/2019/05/29/the-gift-of-language/

Raising multilingual children has always been a mission to me, I have gone too deep to give up.

After my second child was born, I gave up my job to give the gift of language to my children, posh Mandarin Chinese that is spoken in Taiwan.  😊  Despite challenges, with the great support of my “quiet” partner, my children are not only talking to me still, but we can discuss news in Mandarin.

Although bilingualism may come easily when children are young, as soon as they start to attend the mainstream schools, English, the lingua franca dominates their heritage languages.  It is imperative however, to maintain the reflex of using mother tongue with your children regardless what language they respond back.  At least, the listening skill is contained and there is a slight chance of passing the mother tongue to the third generation.  My children and I have this mutual reflex that we must force our brains to speak English to each other when we had to, and it didn’t feel natural.

Everyone is aware of the benefits of multilingualism.  The young generation’s second or third languages in European countries are far better than their peers herein Ireland where they spent the same amount of time studying a language. It is not only the lack of motivation, but also lack of environment.  There are significantly more learning prospects in English than other languages in the media.  Parents need to create the opportunities.

A few tips for parents based on my own experience.  I meet up with friends who speak Mandarin to their children regularly.  I read stories to them in Mandarin up to they were ten.  I encourage them to read and study the same.  I listen to Chinese songs with them.  I volunteer in their school to promote Chinese culture and language annually.  I spent time watching silly cartoons or movies in Mandarin with my teens.  I take every car journey as an opportunity to discuss current affairs.  I do not care if I embarrass them in front of their peers.  I text them in Chinese words and pinyin too sometimes.  I take them home to Taiwan as much as I can afford.  I felt that I have invested in too deep that there is no turning back.

To finish I have a few words from my husband on his perspective.

“It is fantastic that my children converse with ease and fluency in Mandarin with their mother.  It is the only language they speak with her.  Even now with them in their teens, there is no resistance to conversing in Mandarin, its just a completely natural thing for them to do having always done so.  For the most part it does mean I don’t know what they are talking about, but that can be a good thing sometimes as well”.

Evan Furlong

中文四子棋 zhōng wén sì zǐ qí Chinese Connect 4 #Connect4 #四子棋 #桌遊

四子琪可以這樣玩，學單字。也有其他玩法例如造句。如果是玩個人比賽，就印出來。如果是團體比賽，就用Powerpoint 投影。說對單字或造句就可以拿那個格子，連成四格就贏了，像Connect4的桌遊。我在2014年發明的，到現在還是很受學生的歡迎。

We are very proud to have invented this game - #Connect4 with words back in 2014 and it is still very popular amount students. Who doesn't like a bit of board game during the class?





Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese 都柏林中文小學: 中文四子棋 zhōng wén sì zǐ qí Chinese Connect 4: I am very proud to invent this game and children wants to play it over and over again!! You have to know every word to win!

Zongzi goodie bag 粽子福袋

We can not believe that today was our last class of the academic year of 2018-19. Children have grown so much and we are delighted with their progress. To celebrate the last class of the term as well as the upcoming festival, we learned about the story and customs of the Dragon Boat Festival, tried to make & cook ZongZi and lastly made a Zong goodie bag. We appreciate the support from parents through out the year and wish you all a great summer. Remember, we are running a summer camp in the middle of Aug and places are still available.
(Photo credit to Anna Yu)

Summer Mandarin Chinese Immersion Camp is now enrolling!

Summer Mandarin Chinese Immersion Camp is now enrolling! 12th to 16th Aug, 2019 from 10:00-15:00 at NWETSS on Putland Road, Bray.

Each year, we design a brand new theme based Summer Mandarin Immersion Camp to entertain the students and the theme for 2019 is learning all about the 16 indigenous tribes in Taiwan. We would be keeping the old tradition too as pupils love them - activities such X factor, calligraphy, Chinese painting, Chinese culinary art, arts & crafts, outdoor games and soundmapping project. Cost: €150 per week including fruits, snacks, water, lunch and all materials (10% sibling discount).  Click on the picture to sign up. 

TOCFL the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language

都柏林中文學校(Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese)將於2019年六月八日(星期六)舉辦兒童華語文能力測驗(Children's Chinese Competency Certification)及華語文能力測驗(The Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language- TOCFL)

測驗級別Test levels:
兒童華語文能力測驗
- 成長級Seedling (Intermediate)
- 茁壯級Blossoming (Advanced)
華語文能力測驗
Band A (CEFR A1 / A2)

本測驗有正體字(Traditional Character)及簡體字(Simplified Character)兩種試卷。及格者將核發及格証書。
測驗時間及地點(Date and venue):
Sat 8th June 2019 from 1100-1300 at Greystones Educate Together National School, Blacklion, Greystones, Wicklow.
若有興趣參加上述華語文能力測驗者，即日起至 四月二十日止，請向本校報名。Please contact us if you are interest in taking part.

本校電郵(Email ): info@dsmc.biz
本校電話(Tel): 087 9911614
報名: https://forms.gle/T2dMyuPpk53yLb7N6

報名费Test Fee:童華語文能力測驗20歐元/20 Euro；華語文能力測驗25歐元/25 Euro
繳費請由：paypal.me/EvanFurlongDSMC
更多有關本測驗訊息，請參考網站。 For further information about TOCFL, please visit the official website: www.sc-top.org.tw





The Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese will host the Children's Chinese Competency Certification and the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) on Sat June 8th, 2019.

Test levels:
Children's Chinese Competence Certification (CCCC)
- Seedling (Intermediate)
- Blossoming (Advanced)
Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language
-Band A (CEFR A1 / A2)

This test has two kinds of exam papers: Traditional Character and Simplified Character. The certificate will be awarded for anyone who passed the exam.
Date and venue:
Sat 8th June 2019 from 1100-1300 at Greystones Educate Together National School, Blacklion, Greystones, Wicklow.
If you are interested in participating in the above exam, please register before 20th April. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Email to the school: info@dsmc.biz
Tel: 087 9911614
Registration online: https://forms.gle/T2dMyuPpk53yLb7N6

Application Fee: 20 Euro for CCCC and 25 Euro for TOCFL
Payment by: paypal.me/EvanFurlongDSMC
For further information about the CCCC/TOCFL, please visit the official website: www.sc-top.org.tw

母親節快樂 / 媽媽節快樂 Mǔqīn jié kuàilè/ māmā jié kuàilè

If you haven't got enough hints from the shops all over Ireland.....here is another one....It's mother's day on Sunday! Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese has always been very creative for every special occasion and we are up-cycling the candle glasses! We use the resin clay to "Repackaging" the glass and turn it into a beautiful pot or jar. 母親節快樂 / 媽媽節快樂 Mǔqīn jié kuàilè/ māmā jié kuàilè

台灣電音三太子遊愛爾蘭 Taiwan_Third_Prince_at_St_Patricks_day_Parade

台灣電音三太子在愛爾蘭的表演 Taiwan's Third Prince Performance in Ireland for the St Patrick's day celebration 2019

I am very excited to tell you that Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese is proud to present our popular idol NeZha (The Third Prince) at the St Patrick's parades on the Ray D'Arcy show tonight and in the St Patrick's Festival in Bray tomorrow.

The Third Prince is an important symbol of Taiwan's "cultural diversity." in the past 400 years.  He was originally a deity in Indian Buddhism and later became an important idol within Daoism;  He's popular due to many reasons, his literary personality of rebellion & freedom and his cute appearance and energetic dance that are influenced by Japanese comic culture and American Street dance.  

The Third Prince participates in the St Patrick's Parade in the hope to promote the sharing of the rich cultural traditions of the two islands, Taiwan and Ireland.

We would like to express our gratitude towards the 5 hard working Third Princes who trained tirelessly for these performances: Rian O'Loughlin, Matt Wu, Jason Liao, Ken Peng and Derry Yeh. 

This project is sponsored by Taiwan overseas community affair council, Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese and the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland.

Saint Patrick's Day crafts 聖派翠克節 Shèng pài cuì kè jié

It is so nice to have something to celebrate about as we always sparks new ideas from each one of the different festivals.  Sunday is the annual national holiday in Ireland, St. Patrick's Day, the whole world is honoring this festival by turning green!  We have no choice but to follow the tradition. :-)
We have made some leprechaun (綠色精靈 Lǜsè jīnglíng) with dough and the origami lucky clover, lead by our classroom assistant.

#ChineseNewYear collage project

January has always been students' favorite month of the year as they get to take on the traditional arts and crafts each week!  Our #ChineseNewYear  curriculum in 2019 was as below:
Week 1
Chinese New Year song (12 zodiac)
Story telling & game
CNY collage project 1
Chinese painting – pig 2019 and 招財進寶 (bring in the fortune and treasure)

Week 2
Chinese New Year song (恭喜Gongxi)
CNY collage project 2
Paper cutting – 立體春 3D spring + 鞭炮 (peanut form) +春錢 spring (save) money

Week 3
Chinese New Year song
CNY collage project 3
小豬捏面人 dough figurine (pig of course)


Week 4
CNY collage project 4
小豬紅包/小豬摺紙 Piggy origami and piggy red pocket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kK45QmgdTw
https://v.qq.com/x/page/a0823aft7ac.html

Week 5
Party & feast
Practice chopsticks and fortune cookies challenge
Radish year cake (蘿蔔糕) and fortune cake (發糕）workshop
CNY Prezi presentation and feast
Table quiz  and the winning team get 大紅包（big fat red envelops)

說吉祥話你拿紅包Lucky greetings and receive red envelops

Christmas Arts & Crafts 2018

Tis the season, we have started making homemade Christmas cards before the last posting date to Asia is due. We are combining the eastern crafts such as origami, Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting and dough figurines with the western holiday.  You shall be so lucky to receive one of these.