An important part of learning a language is also understanding the culture and traditions that accompany it. Back in February and March, the Chinese Language and Culture classes at Heights High did just that by hosting a Culture Showcase and Chinese Culture Project to give the students and their peers a taste of the Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year is celebrated by people across the globe.

The Culture Project allowed students to create posters depicting several aspect of Chinese culture, including various festivals, art, Chinese medicine, architecture, fashion, Taoism, and the Four Great Inventions. The Cultural Showcase was presented by the Chinese students and included fun, hands-on activities in the cafeteria to share the beauty of the Chinese language and culture with other students. Activities included Beijing Opera Mask making, chopsticks contest, Chinese character paper cutting, painting images of pandas, and the a Chinese tea ceremony. These activities taught other students the cultural importance of Chinese art. Dr. Lin’s students facilitated the activities and invited other high school students to experience those activities.

The Chinese Language and Culture students also hosted an after school performance in the auditorium that featured many aspects of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. The Dragon Dance opened the event and is often performed at the opening of most celebrations for the Chinese community and was followed by a Kung Fu demonstration. The students learned about both traditional and modern forms of Chinese dance as well as demonstrated their language proficiency as they sang several folk songs. The event also included a fashion show of students dressed in traditional Chinese Cheongsam before ending with the telling of the Story of the Chinese Zodiac.

Dr. Shu Hui Lin is a Chinese Language and Culture teacher. She was happy with the positive input from parents and staff about the showcase and performance. “I was pleased with the students' performance and they were excited and proud of the work they displayed to the school and community,” said Dr. Lin.

Dr. Lin would like to thank the parents of her students, the school administrators, teachers, and staff for the support.