NEWARK ACADEMY 91 South Orange Avenue Livingston, New Jersey 07039 Telephone: (973) 992-7000 Fax: (973) 992-8962 www.newarka.edu Calina Lee Visitation Mandarin 3 November 18, period 2, room 23 As students come into the classroom, they are quick to settle down and take out their homework. Calina has presented me with a typewritten listing of the tasks to be accomplished for today’s meeting. In reviewing the homework, the sked to do some readings in unison in order to develop speaking skills. Checking for understanding, Calina will ask pointed questions by calling on students. Occasionally Calina uses the board to write down a notation on vocabulary or grammar. As students speak, Calina is very good at encouraging them to soldier on, even when they might not know the exact word or phrase. As is characteristic for many of us, Calina does become selective about which students she calls on when the material becomes more challenging. In the whole of the class, everyone participates. Throughout the entire session itis clear that everyone is focused and engaged. In leading the class Calina is quite good at employing the usual arsenal of language instruction skills: always encouraging, she finesses meaning by dramatizing with her face and hand gestures. Though English is used on occasion, itis only as a last resort. For the last portion of the class, Calina guides a series of exercises on the topic of giving directions. To this end she projects a stzcet grid and then uses a paper “car” to move from point A to point B by following the directions given to her by individual students. Students clearly enjoy the opportunity to participate in communications of the sort they will undoubtedly encounter in another country. Productive as the lesson is, I strongly recommend an upgrade in instructional materials. The map locations are difficult to decipher because they are in black and white, and because they are low resolution. With two minutes to go, Calina asks students to go into theit textbooks and partner for discussion. While this item is on the list of things to be accomplished, there is no time to do any new exetcise justice. I hope in the future Calina will feel freer to deviate from the class plan in favor of using the last minute or two to wrap up. Departing words are offered about he test coming up for the next class meeting: The test will be on directions, something students are clearly well prepared for. Calina’s students are serious about their work and able to enjoy their lessons at the same time. Kudos to Calina for establishing such a productive and healthy learning environment... Von Rollenhagen Dean of Faculty