Distance Learning Program

Do you wish you could attend Joyous Chinese Cultural Center classes, but live too far away? The Distance Learning Program was designed just for you!

Because so few families have access to native Chinese speakers, and due to the overwhelming requests of families throughout the United States, the Joyous Chinese Cultural Center has made its curriculum available nationwide since 1998.

JCCC Distance Learning materials are designed for individual and group use. The units are appropriate for both children and adults and the materials are great for family use. Families will enjoy learning together, and by making this a family activity, it is easy to practice and apply the material in everyday settings.

Distance Learning materials include a CD recording which is invaluable for learning the correct pronunciation of the words. Listening to the CDs greatly increases acquisition of Mandarin Chinese, as hearing the pronunciation and tones is vital to the study of the language.

Groups of families also enjoy using the materials. By meeting together, children enjoy learning the lessons in a group setting and increase their opportunities for practice and support. The Distance Learning materials include suggestions for group activities which children will enjoy and will find helpful for reinforcing the lessons. Some groups are able to invite a native Chinese speaker to participate in the lessons, which can be very helpful.

Each Distance Learning unit is based upon a theme. The units build upon each other, so we recommend that you complete the units in sequence. The units follow the plan of the Joyous Chinese Cultural Center and are formatted with four distinct weeks of activities. It is not necessary to complete the units in four weeks. You may spend as much time as you like on each unit, in order to feel comfortable with the material.

Each unit contains four lessons which include:

Vocabulary words and phrases for the week, written in English, in Chinese characters, and in Pinyin (a semi-phonetic version of Chinese, written with the English alphabet).
Pronunciation Guides, which provide assistance with Mandarin tones and Pinyin.
Lyrics for the song for the week, written in Pinyin and in English.
An art project which incorporates the theme for the unit. This art project is designed with children in mind and can easily be adapted for various age groups and abilities. The materials include a supply list, instructions, patterns when necessary, and a picture of a completed project.
Enrichment activity suggestions and descriptions, designed to help you to practice and reinforce vocabulary and concepts learned in each lesson.
CDs containing the vocabulary words and songs for each week. The words are spoken in English and in Mandarin, and the songs are sung in Mandarin. Many families have found that by using the CD in the car on a regular basis, they are able to practice the vocabulary and songs quite often, and everyone is amazed at how much they have learned. This is a wonderful way for both children and adults to become familiar with Mandarin tones and find it more natural to hear and practice them.

To order Joyous Chinese Cultural Center Distance Learning Materials, please visit the JCCC's Gift Shop.