Culture Department
We offer a wide variety of culture classes to complement our language curriculum. These classes not only expose students to the rich Chinese culture and traditions, but also help cultivate their interest in the language they are learning. For Chinese students, that can help them better understand their heritage and identity.
The Culture Department consists of:
Culture Dean: Debby Lin (culturedean@mhcs-nj.org)
Deputy Culture Dean: Shirley Huang (culturedeputydean@mhcs-nj.org)
Lead teachers and student volunteers assisting the lead teachers
Our teachers are full of talent, enthusiasm, and patience. With their devotion and your encouragement, your children will enjoy a fun cultural environment in addition to the language classes they take every Saturday afternoon.
Teaching Objectives
After 2 hours of language classes, our students get an hour of cultural exposure, mostly related to Chinese culture experiences. Those not related to Chinese culture is another channel for our children to socialize while getting motor-skills or physical exercises. Our children look forward to this hour to relax and spend time with their friends while learning something new.
Below are some sample classes that the school offers:
第(一)節課 Session I: 12:30-1:30pm
(Some Adult classes may start 10 min late 12:40-1:30)
(Some Adult classes may start 10 min late 12:40-1:30)
成人Zumba (Adult Zumba) - 1 hour
成人國畫 (Adult Chinese Painting) - 2 hours
The course explores various types of Chinese paintings, including topographical landscapes, Buddhist and Daoist images, and flower and plant symbolism.成人插花班 (Adult Flower Arrangement) (10 or 16 lessons - No classes in the winter) - 1:10-3:30
成人太極拳 1 Beginner (Adult Martial Arts (Tai-Chi 1) 1 hour
The class will provide participants with instruction in a series of sequential tai chi style movements designed to enhance balance, strength, and flexibility while relieving stress and muscle tension.成人太極拳 2 Intermediate Adult Martial Arts (Tai-Chi 2) 1 hour
The class will provide participants with instruction in a series of sequential tai chi style movements designed to enhance balance, strength, and flexibility while relieving stress and muscle tension.成人排球 (Adult Volleyball) - 1 or 2 hours
This program is for men and women 18 years of age and older. Volleyballs are provided to play pickup style games each week for those who attend.成人籃球 (Adult Basketball) - 1 or 2 hours
All abilities are welcome to play basketball. Casual, fun, friendly exercise!成人舞獅/雷鼓 (Adult Lion Dance/Thunder Drum Club)
This club will be lead by our ever enthusiastic Kung-Fu teacher, Adam Cheung. Adam and his family have many years of experience in performing Lion Dance in Boston prior to joining MHCS. He and his family have performed in many festivals and fairs. Parents are encouraged to participate--it is a great way to socialize with other parents at the school and it’s a lot of fun!
第(二)節課 Session II: 1:30-2:30pm
成人太極拳 3 Expert Adult Martial Arts (Tai-Chi 3) - 1 hour
The class will provide participants with instruction in a series of sequential tai chi style movements designed to enhance balance, strength, and flexibility while relieving stress and muscle tension.
第(三)節課 Session III: 2:40-3:30
(Children’s culture classes unless otherwise indicated as “Adult”)
(Children’s culture classes unless otherwise indicated as “Adult”)
**NEW Adult & Children Hip Hop
Get ready to move and groove in our hip hop dance class featuring the latest Mandarin hits. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, this class is the perfect place to have fun, stay in shape, and connect with friends while enjoying the music. Led by our experienced instructor, Roxy, who is passionate about teaching and dancing. You’ll learn the coolest hip hop moves in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Kids above 7 and adults are all welcome to join the fun!兒童唱遊班 (Singing)
The perfect introduction to the Chinese language through dance, singing, and games. Parents are encouraged to sit in and participate with their children!兒童美勞 (Arts & Crafts)
Our Arts and Crafts class helps develop students’ artistic talents and expression through various projects. Using various media, students get to explore and have a creative outlet that allows their imaginations to flourish.兒童繪畫 (Drawing)
Come and explore a variety of art forms! Students will learn concepts and techniques of a good drawing, while also expressing their creativity. They will have exposure to shapes, light, perspective, color, layout, and color matching.兒童國畫書法 (Chinese Painting and Calligraphy)
Chinese calligraphy is an art of self-cultivation and self-expression. It is one of the greatest high art forms and is a cornerstone of Chinese culture. This course will explore the major styles of Chinese calligraphy and how to write Chinese calligraphy.兒童扯鈴 (Chinese Yo-Yo)
This class is taught by our very esteemed YoYo teacher, Stephen Kuo (郭立中). The class is fun and therapeutic for the mind. It’s never too late to learn a new sport! So grab a few friends and let the fun begin! Check out the Chinese New Year YoYo performance here.兒童文化拼盤 (Culture Platter)
This is a great class to introduce younger students to different kinds of traditional Chinese cultural activities, such as Chinese story telling, songs, toys, sand pocket, shuttlecock, tops, jump ropes, Yo-Yo, Calligraphy, fan and bamboo dance, chopsticks, origami and paper cutting, Chinese knot, and games.兒童民俗舞蹈 (Children’s folk dance)
Traditional Chinese Folk Dance with our esteemed instructor- Mina Chao. This course is ideal for both dancers who are interested in expanding their repertoire of styles and also beginners/enthusiasts who are interested in learning traditional Chinese dance or knowing more about Chinese arts and culture.