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The Fisher Elementary and Nanao School Online
Cultural Connection Program has been established to provide American and Chinese
students opportunities to incorporate foreign language and cultural studies in
their daily educational experience. This web site is design to provide
information about the Online Cultural Connection Program "A Classroom
without Walls" and serve as a link
between the schools.
The
Online Cultural Connection Program
The purpose of the Online
Cultural Connection will be to provide third grade students with e-pen pals to
improve their language skills. Students at Fisher Elementary will learn to speak
Chinese and Nanao students will improve their English. Beginning in January of
2006, about 15 students were selected to participate in the Online Cultural
Connections Program. Students began meeting three to four times per week
starting in February 2006.
Students met online to exchange lessons in Chinese and English,
meetings are held at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. and each school alternates
the meeting times weekly. During the class students collaborate on a
Language Arts lesson including a story with a cultural theme and vocabulary
words. The program is in the the second year and has expanded to include more
students. The opportunity for a student exchange program is a reality. Fifteen
students, two teachers and the principal from Nanao School will visit the Fisher
Elementary for two weeks from October 22, through November 3, 2006.
 Cultural
and Language Lessons
Students in the Cultural Exchange program will utilize the US-China E-Language
Learning System, China and the U.S. collaborate on a research and development
(R&D) effort to develop and test the effectiveness of a Chinese and English
learning program named 'CHENGO'' (in Chinese ¡®³Ë·çchengfeng' ).
Students learning Chinese through
the CHENGO program are in for a fantastic treat. Learning has never been so fun
and easy!
The CHENGO Chinese
(Chinese and
English on the Go, in Chinese called Chengfeng)
is a learning platform with an
interactive, animated gaming environment.
The program is narrated by Sun WuKong, a cute monkey who is very
popular in China. Sun WuKong, is a wonderful and friendly guide
through the program. Sun WuKong challenges students
to change and spice up the dull world by seeking new
horizons in learning.
The program has four categories for lessons on the Navigator bar,
which include Model, Practice, Application and Game. The navigational
tab also includes a a dictionary, help menu and navigational button.
See image at right.  This high
quality and innovative online language
learning program is chalk full of music, animation and
games is sure to keep students engaged. Lessons are
in 35 to 50-minute time periods and are presented with
a mystery format and game environment.
Find out more about CHENGO visit the web sites
below:
Chinese: http://www.ells.edu.cn/
English http://www.elanguage.cn/
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"A
Classroom Without Walls"
