Wei Xia

At Langara Since: 2004 

Credentials and training: 

• B.A. in Teaching Chinese as A Second Language, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China 
• Master of Arts, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Style of teaching

Students are always the center of my teaching. To engage the learners as much as possible, to attend to their interests and needs at each stage, to enhance their learning experience with new technology and updated methods is the teaching style which I pursue. As always, I learn how to be a better teacher through teaching. 

Areas of academic or research interest

I have taught various Chinese language/literature courses at different levels. My main area of specialty over the past two decades has been creating a semi-immersion in-class and online environment to help non-heritage beginners develop integrated Chinese language skills, especially at an intensive pace. I have also devoted myself to teaching Classical Chinese since 2012. I have developed a pedagogy that enables students to read and analyze Classical texts in their social and historical contexts. One of my main objectives is to allow heritage learners to re-examine and strengthen their connections to their Chinese cultural heritage through extensive research and critical thinking.

Academic and professional activities

• Member, Standing Committee on Language Articulation (SCOLA) 
• Member, Canadian Teaching Chinese as a Second Language Association 
• Judge, Confucius Institute Chinese Bridge Mandarin Speech and Singing Contests for University/College Students 

Other interests

 I love to make apple pies in my kitchen on cold and damp winter days, and love to spend time in my garden during summer. I also enjoy travelling and visiting my artist friends in different cities. From time to time, I curate art exhibitions featuring some of my favourite works.