Read what our former students say:

Owen Lin

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

After being in college for three years and reflecting on the hectic high school years, I am very thankful that I was able to take Chinese at Ohlone for four years. Though I did not realize it at the time, the moments that I spent in Chinese class gave me an incredibly useful tool for the future and provided a strong understanding of the culture from where I came.

I have learned more and more that the Chinese I learned is a very important skill. The first time I discovered this fact was when I visited China last year for the first time in ten years. Because of what I learned in class, I was able to communicate clearly and effectively. I knew that if I had not taken this course, I would almost not be able to communicate in Mandarin at all. Especially as I learn at MIT that the pace of globalization has increased in the last few years and China has continued to increase its economic power, understanding Chinese has become an extremely important tool.

Learning about Chinese culture was deeply satisfying. Growing up in America, I did not know much about the way most Chinese people lived. I felt that this was incorrect, as I myself was born in China. After taking these Chinese classes, I learned all about Chinese history and culture. I gained a much deeper understanding of why my family and other Chinese families are the way they are. Why do the Chinese put so much emphasis on education? In what ways do the Chinese familial values differ from Western values? All these questions and more were answered after taking these classes, and my eyes were opened much more because of it.

I am glad that I was able to participate in such an enriching and rewarding class.

Lauren Dankiewicz

University of California, Berkely

I recently participated in a Chinese Speech Competition at Lowell High School and received a second place prizes. I started my study of the Chinese Language at Ohlone College with Mao Lao Shi. It was this Chinese program that provided me with the foundation to continue my studies with confidence and perseverance. I hope to see Ohlone’s Chinese program continue to grow into a full-time department with summer classes. I strongly believe that these changes would be widely accepted by parents, teachers, and students alike. It’s a wonderful program for all students who want to study Chinese.

Daniel Sheng

International Business and Finance at the Stern School of Business at New York University

As someone majoring in International Business and Finance at the Stern School of Business at New York University, I personally have found Ohlone College's Mandarin program to be very helpful. I came to the United States at a young age so my Mandarin has never been as good as it should have been. I feel this sort of program is instrumental in helping up and coming youth in improving their skills in a language that will undoubtedly become useful in the future. This program has helped me in not only understanding of my own culture and native language, but also in everyday conversation with friends, relatives, and family acquaintances. Ohlone's Mandarin program is not only educational, it is also practical because it allows one to fulfill the UC language requirement without wasting slots in one's high school schedule. This allows for more AP's to be taken without any wasted time. Special thanks to all my Ohlone Mandarin instructors (Teacher Mao, Wang, and Zhang)


 

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