The summer time arrives again bringing with it the heat from the sun, enjoyment, and of course, learning opportunities outside the classroom. The Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. successfully conducted the 2017 Tan Yan Kee Summer Class from April 8, 2017 until June 11, 2017. It was held in the Tan Yan Kee Library at the San Fernando Tower, Binondo, Manila 2017 every Saturdays and Sundays at 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm. The main focus of the class was Chinese literature wherein 60 students from kindergarten to grade 6, aged 5 to 12 years old, enjoyed the multitude of activities that enriched their knowledge of Chinese heritage.
The children learned through reading, storytelling, as well as understanding Chinese idioms. Additionally, the children were also taught a greater understanding and appreciation of Chinese Tang poetries. There were also activities that boosted the children’s creativity and learning of the Chinese culture through traditional Chinese arts and crafts such as making paper carnations and Mother’s Day greeting cards. Since children are naturally interested in arts and crafts, they thoroughly enjoyed in the creation of something beautiful that they can offer to other people while at the same time learning through that process. There was also performance art involved during the duration of their summer classes wherein the children engaged in short plays, poem narration and song interpretation. More importantly, these children were also able to learn and brush up on their Mandarin which is big a part of Chinese culture. While it is important that the children should learn English or Filipino, learning Mandarin is tantamount to the preservation of the Chinese heritage since language is something that they can carry in life and it will stay with them as they grow.
One of the major events that the children participated in was the May 14, 2017 Mother’s Day celebration at the Penthouse of the San Fernando Tower wherein the children performed in front of their parents to reflect what they have learned during the summer activity. Like in every class, a graduation ceremony was held as proof that the children have successfully completed their summer class. There, the children masterfully showcased the things they have learned in the summer class through performing short-plays, storytelling, and songs in Mandarin. The summer class was made possible by the tandem of library personnel and teachers. The library personnel were Ms. Florentina Go, Ellamae Valenzuela, and Lan Chen Chiu, and the teachers were Mr. Ulysses Yu, Mr. Lance Pineda, and Ms. Yee Hoa Lee.
Feedback from the parents, teachers, and students were very positive. The children were very happy that aside from the things that they learned during the summer class, they were able to meet new friends who came from different schools and backgrounds. The learning process was also facilitated by the fact that the children actually enjoyed singing Chinese songs, arts and crafts, as well as reading Chinese stories and comics. Parents were also satisfied that their children not only learned about the Chinese literature, but also developed a sense of identity through proficiency in Mandarin, confidence through equal opportunities to perform as well as a rekindled love for Chinese culture.
Summer did not merely equate to vacation for the children as it also provided them an opportunity to immerse themselves in a cultural journey and a collection of experiences that they do not enjoy on a regular basis. The experience was something of an ephemeral but rich experience that enhances their totality as a person by being in touch with a culture that is uniquely theirs. n
One of the major events that the children participated in was the May 14, 2017 Mother’s Day celebration at the Penthouse of the San Fernando Tower wherein the children performed in front of their parents to reflect what they have learned during the summer activity. Like in every class, a graduation ceremony was held as proof that the children have successfully completed their summer class. There, the children masterfully showcased the things they have learned in the summer class through performing short-plays, storytelling, and songs in Mandarin. The summer class was made possible by the tandem of library personnel and teachers. The library personnel were Ms. Florentina Go, Ellamae Valenzuela, and Lan Chen Chiu, and the teachers were Mr. Ulysses Yu, Mr. Lance Pineda, and Ms. Yee Hoa Lee.
Feedback from the parents, teachers, and students were very positive. The children were very happy that aside from the things that they learned during the summer class, they were able to meet new friends who came from different schools and backgrounds. The learning process was also facilitated by the fact that the children actually enjoyed singing Chinese songs, arts and crafts, as well as reading Chinese stories and comics. Parents were also satisfied that their children not only learned about the Chinese literature, but also developed a sense of identity through proficiency in Mandarin, confidence through equal opportunities to perform as well as a rekindled love for Chinese culture.
Summer did not merely equate to vacation for the children as it also provided them an opportunity to immerse themselves in a cultural journey and a collection of experiences that they do not enjoy on a regular basis. The experience was something of an ephemeral but rich experience that enhances their totality as a person by being in touch with a culture that is uniquely theirs. n
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