Hi All,

I had so much fun this episode, I sat down once again with our beloved Mandarin teacher, Mrs. Ying Fang Jeffers, a longtime member of the World of Learning team and one of the most creative, caring educators you’ll ever meet. You won’t want to miss the enthusiasm or the stories of the great mythic people of the Mid-Autumn Festival that just passed.

Ying Fang has been with the World of Learning for five years, and her classroom truly comes alive with culture. Born and raised in Taiwan, she brings a global perspective and a deep passion for connecting students to the stories, art, and traditions behind the Mandarin language. Together, we talk about what happens when language learning becomes a gateway to belonging, and how students who start out learning a few words end up understanding the world in a whole new way.

Enjoy, Pat

Key Moments

* The “5 Cs” in Action: Mrs. Jeffers shows how communication, culture, connections, comparisons, and community come together in her teaching — from food and festivals to poetry and art. ACTFL’s “5 Cs” of language instruction

* Calligraphy as Connection: Learn how her University of Pittsburgh mini-grant helped her bring authentic Chinese calligraphy into her classroom, giving students a tactile way to understand meaning and form.

* Learning Beyond the Screen: Her students don’t just meet online; they join local Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, wear traditional clothing, and even make mooncakes at home.

* Stories that Stick: We dive into the myths of Chang’e, Hou Yi, and the Moon Rabbit, and what they reveal about time, family, and celebration in Chinese culture.

* Lifelong Learning: From earning new certifications to mentoring peers, Mrs. Jeffers models the mindset she teaches, that learning is a lifelong journey that connects us all.

Takeaways

* Culture deepens language learning. Students remember words best when they’re tied to meaning, tradition, and story.

* Connection matters. Language opens the door to empathy — helping students understand perspectives beyond their own.

* Virtual doesn’t mean distant. With creativity and care, online classrooms can feel as vibrant as in-person ones.

* Lifelong learning inspires learners. When teachers model curiosity and growth, students follow.

* Community extends beyond class. The best learning happens when students share culture with their families and local communities.

From the Episode

“I always tell my students, we’re not just learning the words — we’re learning to see the world differently.” — Mrs. Ying Fang Jeffers

Closing Thought

At the World of Learning Institute, teachers like Mrs. Jeffers remind us that language learning is not only about speaking, it’s about seeing, connecting, and belonging.

If your district is ready to expand access to world language instruction or explore full-time virtual learning, reach out at [email protected] or visit worldoflearninginstitute.com/contact

Let’s make sure every student has the chance to experience the beauty of language and the richness of culture, every day.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit patmulroy.substack.com