TCML-Legacy Multi Culture & Education Service Center Partners with the Library to Bring Mandarin into the Community
After a long period of communication and coordination, TCML-Legacy Multi Culture & Education Service Center has finally reached an agreement with Sammamish Library to launch a basic Mandarin program together. Beginning in May, the program brought Mandarin learning and Taiwanese culture into the local community, benefiting residents in the area.
The classes were held every Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the library. The first two hours focused on Mandarin instruction, using Let's Learn Mandarin (《來．學華語》), provided by the Overseas Community Affairs Council, as the primary textbook. Simple rhymes, Tang poetry, and other supplementary materials were also incorporated, allowing students to learn Mandarin in a relaxed and lively atmosphere. The final hour was devoted to hands-on experiences featuring Taiwanese culture, including tea ceremony, floral arrangement, fabric dyeing, and other activities. In this way, students could learn the language while also experiencing the diverse and rich culture of Taiwan firsthand.
At every class, whether during the engaging language lessons or the colorful cultural activities, the classroom was always filled with laughter. Through the classroom's glass windows, people in the library were often drawn to stop and watch. Some were even curious enough to walk in and ask whether they could join the class. The number of students grew from an initial six to seventeen, demonstrating the community's strong interest in learning Mandarin and exploring Taiwanese culture.
August 2 marked the final day of the twelve-week session. Teacher Juan-Hsi Chang specially arranged for the students to introduce themselves in Mandarin and then select either a lesson from the course or a Tang poem to read aloud to everyone. After twelve weeks of learning, every student bravely spoke Mandarin in front of the class and demonstrated their progress, which was truly gratifying.
At the conclusion of the program, each student received a certificate of completion as well as a Taiwan-themed cultural and creative phone stand featuring an image of Taipei 101, creating a memorable keepsake from this enjoyable learning journey.
Among the students, Ute, who had attended all twelve classes without missing a single session, was an especially inspiring example for the class. As a special encouragement and recognition of her dedication, the teacher prepared a “Taiwan LV” traditional woven bag for her.
Ute shared that because her neighbors are Ethnic Chinese, she wanted to learn Mandarin and culture so that she could have more opportunities to communicate and interact with them. She also frequently encouraged her classmates by saying, “If I can learn at the age of eighty, then no one has a reason to say that it is too difficult!”
These words became the most memorable quote in the class. Her dedication and enthusiasm not only helped her make steady progress, but also brought positive energy to the entire class and greatly increased everyone's enthusiasm for learning.
Teacher Juan-Hsi Chang noted that language is a bridge for communication, while culture helps people understand one another more deeply. TCML-Legacy Multi Culture & Education Service Center is delighted to work together with Sammamish Library to bring Mandarin beyond the classroom, making it a bridge that connects the community, promotes cultural exchange, and introduces people to Taiwan and its culture.
One Mandarin class, one sentence of Mandarin spoken with courage, and one hands-on cultural experience may seem simple, yet each can open the door to a wonderful connection that transcends language and culture. Looking ahead, TCML-Legacy Multi Culture & Education Service Center also hopes to continue reaching out to local communities, enabling more people to discover Taiwan and grow closer to Taiwan through learning Mandarin.
