DC Chinese-language students put on show

A groundbreaking performance brought together Chinese learners from Washington's nine public schools to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Feb 3 at the Alice Deal Middle School.

"Schools around the DC area used to hold Chinese New Year-celebration events on their own; it's not new. But a gathering like today's performance is a brand-new experience for us," said Zhi Yanming, lead organizer of the performance and a Chinese teacher at Deal Middle School.

A pioneer in Chinese-language teaching, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) first started Chinese-language education 13 years ago, with one teacher and around 40 first graders at an elementary school.

"Now we have nearly 20 teachers and more than 1,000 students at 15 public schools. It has developed rapidly, especially in recent years," Zhi said.

Last fall, Chinese teachers from different public schools across Washington decided to plan for the joint celebration performance when gathering at a DCPS training program. With the current number of Chinese-language students in Washington, they were confident enough to give it a try.

Amee Barnes, a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, started learning Chinese in middle school when she made some Chinese friends who couldn't speak English. "I wanted to learn their language, so I communicate with them in Chinese till today," she said.

She and her schoolmates did a musical performance of a Chinese folk song, Jasmine, for the celebration.

"It's a chance to look at how other DCPS schools do it," said Deal Middle School Principal James Albright.

"My hope is certainly that it becomes an annual event. I think that it's a very special way for students here to celebrate," said Kate Ireland, global education director.

Not able to accommodate all parents who were interested to attend this time, Ireland said she would be looking at ways to build an event that all the parents and the community could celebrate.

Starting with several dozen students when he first joined Deal Middle School six years ago, Zhi is now responsible for nearly 150 Chinese learners from the sixth to eighth grades, which constitute the largest Chinese-language program among Washington's public schools.

Zhi's students have been practicing for the performance for months.