Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Currently: I am a Chinese lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania.

Favorite Experience in the MA Program: My favorite experience in the Chinese program was not only attending classes with my classmates but also having the opportunity to personally experience the process of teaching Chinese under the guidance of full-time Chinese instructors. Whether it was observing other teachers’ classes or practicing teaching myself, these experiences provided me with invaluable insights that were crucial for my job search after graduation. At the same time, the teachers in the Chinese program were like family—they generously shared their experiences, cared about our lives, and made my time at Brandeis smooth and fulfilling.

An Impactful Faculty Member: Jian Wei was the course head of the Beginning Chinese class I taught at the time. By observing her teaching methods and interactions with students, I learned a great deal. She was also a very kind and approachable person who provided me with tremendous support in many ways. Her kindness and support were incredibly comforting to me as I navigated an unfamiliar environment in the US, helping me adjust during those early, challenging days.

Currently: I am working at Princeton University as a Chinese lecturer, teaching all levels of Chinese language courses here.

Favorite Experience in the MA Program: The experience that left the deepest impression on me and that I enjoyed the most was balancing the roles of a student and a lecturer during the process. This came with certain difficulties and challenges, but over the year, I experienced rapid growth, which laid a solid foundation for my job search after completing the project.

An Impactful Faculty Member: I can't choose just one person — I believe that all three professors I worked with in the program, Yu Feng, Jian Wei, and Xiwen Lu, provided me with tremendous support. Later, I spent a year lecturing at Brandeis, and our relationship evolved from that of teacher and student to that of colleagues. Their unwavering support and constant care have left me deeply grateful.

Currently: I am now working at District of Columbia International School as a high school Mandarin teacher.

Favorite Experience in the MA Program: Brandeis is a very diverse campus, and I met a lot of students and professors. In this program, you are a teacher as well as a student. You can experience students with different levels of Mandarin but also you, as a student, can select the subjects that you are interested in.

An Impactful Faculty Member: I really enjoyed working with Jian Wei, who was my supervisor at the time. She was always patient with my questions and quick to find solutions. Her friendly and approachable nature made it easy for me to feel comfortable around her, and I could always count on her to listen and offer support.

Currently: I am a middle school Chinese teacher at Beaver Country Day School.

Favorite Experience in the MA Program: One of my favorite experiences in the program was serving as the teaching assistant for the Chinese A class, where I had the opportunity to lead drill sessions for the freshmen. It was a great chance to put the teaching strategies I had learned into practice. I really enjoyed working with the students, and it was incredibly fulfilling to see how my efforts helped them improve their language skills.

An Impactful Faculty Member: Professor Yu Feng was my mentor for the program, and he truly inspired me with his passionate teaching style. He genuinely cared for his students and was incredibly generous with his time and knowledge. I not only gained valuable insights from him but also found his character deeply inspiring.

Currently: I work as a Chinese instructor at Duke University, teaching Chinese from novice to intermediate levels for both heritage and non-heritage speakers.

Favorite Experience in the MA Program: Discussing Chinese teaching methods and pedagogy with Professors Yu Feng and Xiwen Lu in class provided valuable insights, which we could then apply in our language practicum sessions the following day.

An Impactful Faculty Member: I was very grateful for the opportunity to work with all three professors: Yu Feng, Xiwen Lu, and Jian Wei. They were incredibly kind, responsible, and approachable. The first faculty member I worked with was Professor Lu. Her teaching approach had a significant impact on me, encouraging me to reflect on how I should teach in the United States. At that time, I had no prior experience teaching Chinese in the United States. Professor Lu generously shared her experiences with me, introduced the Chinese program at Brandeis, and provided insights into the students' backgrounds. During my early teaching days, when I conducted Chinese drill classes, she sat in on my sessions for the first few weeks. After each class, she approached me with constructive feedback, helpful suggestions, and encouragement. This greatly improved my teaching and gradually boosted my confidence in my teaching.

Currently: I’m a Chinese lecturer at Yale University.

Favorite Experience in the MA Program: I think everything about this program was amazing. The teachers and courses were excellent. As a student, you could learn a lot about current teaching methodologies in America, quickly apply what you'd learned to practice, and receive professional guidance and advice from instructors to help you improve continuously. In short, I gained so much from this experience!

An Impactful Faculty Member: I really appreciated every faculty member in the program. They were all incredibly kind and supportive, doing everything they could to help you and encouraging you to grow. Whether it was during teaching practicums or job searching, they provided me with invaluable guidance and advice. I am truly grateful to them!

Currently: I hold a PhD in Education and serve as an Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Rhode Island. In this role, I teach Chinese language classes across all levels and actively contribute to curriculum development and other departmental activities, striving to incorporate the same level of innovation and engagement that I found so valuable in my education.

Favorite Experience in the MA Program: My favorite experience was the practicum class, which provided invaluable feedback from both students and advisors, crucial for my career preparation. Additionally, the opportunity to take courses such as East Asian Studies beyond the traditional scope of language teaching enriched my educational experience significantly.

An Impactful Faculty Member: I greatly enjoyed working with Dr. Yu Feng, who was instrumental in encouraging innovation and experimentation in my teaching methods. He gave me the freedom to creatively explore and implement new ideas, introducing me to innovative computerized Chinese teaching methods that I continue to utilize. This mentorship profoundly shaped my approach to teaching Chinese.