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"Cathy was an outstanding presenter. She was knowledgeable, well-organized, and engaging throughout the institute. She clearly explained the new AP Chinese Course and Exam Description (CED) and provided many practical classroom strategies and authentic examples that I can immediately use in my teaching. I especially appreciated the collaborative activities and opportunities to exchange ideas with other teachers. Thank you for such an inspiring and valuable professional learning experience."
- Marin By The Bay Participant |
Qiaochu (Cathy) Wang
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Ms. Cathy Wang (王翘楚) is a Mandarin Chinese teacher at Redondo Union High School in California, an AP Professional Learning Consultant and AP Chinese Reader with the College Board, an ACTFL OPI Tester in Mandarin, an Induction Program mentor, and a master teacher for candidates in the Teaching Credential Program. She is passionate about helping students develop language proficiency, foster intercultural understanding, and experience the joy of language learning.
Since 2022, Ms. Wang has led the transformation and expansion of the Redondo Union High School Chinese Program into a nationally recognized model program. Through curriculum innovation, vertical articulation, teacher leadership, and a strong commitment to student-centered instruction, the program has experienced significant enrollment growth and was recognized with the 2025 CLASS National Outstanding K-16 Chinese Program Award. In 2022, she was honored as the Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS) Teacher of the Year. She regularly presents at national conferences and mentors new teachers and credential candidates, helping to strengthen the future pipeline of world language educators.
Ms. Wang believes that meaningful learning happens when students feel seen, challenged, and supported, and that effective professional learning is rooted in collaboration, reflection, and continuous growth. She is committed to creating equitable, culturally responsive, and proficiency-focused learning experiences that empower students and teachers alike.
As an AP Professional Learning Consultant, Ms. Wang is excited to learn alongside fellow educators, share best practices, and support teachers in building engaging and inclusive AP Chinese classrooms where all students can thrive.
Since 2022, Ms. Wang has led the transformation and expansion of the Redondo Union High School Chinese Program into a nationally recognized model program. Through curriculum innovation, vertical articulation, teacher leadership, and a strong commitment to student-centered instruction, the program has experienced significant enrollment growth and was recognized with the 2025 CLASS National Outstanding K-16 Chinese Program Award. In 2022, she was honored as the Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS) Teacher of the Year. She regularly presents at national conferences and mentors new teachers and credential candidates, helping to strengthen the future pipeline of world language educators.
Ms. Wang believes that meaningful learning happens when students feel seen, challenged, and supported, and that effective professional learning is rooted in collaboration, reflection, and continuous growth. She is committed to creating equitable, culturally responsive, and proficiency-focused learning experiences that empower students and teachers alike.
As an AP Professional Learning Consultant, Ms. Wang is excited to learn alongside fellow educators, share best practices, and support teachers in building engaging and inclusive AP Chinese classrooms where all students can thrive.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This AP Chinese Language and Culture Summer Ins tute is designed to help teachers strengthen their understanding of the AP Chinese course and exam while developing prac cal, student-centered instruc onal approaches that support success for diverse learners. Participants will explore the revised AP Course and Exam Descripyion (CED) in detail, including recent updates and changes, and examine how these revisions shape curriculum planning, assessment, classroom instruction, and long-term program development.
Through collaborative activites, analysis of authentic student work, and practical teaching strategies, participants will deepen their understanding of the AP Chinese framework, proficiency-based instruc on, and the integration of the three modes of communiction. The ins tute will examine each section of the AP Chinese Exam and provide opportunities to unpack task expectations, scoring guidelines, student samples, and instructional implications. Participants will also explore how to use student performance data and classroom-based assessments to guide instruction and provide meaningful feedback.
In addition to exam preparation, participants will explore how to design meaningful learning experiences that build language proficiency, cultural understanding, and student confidence throughout the year. The institute will also address course pacing, formative and summative assessment practices, the AP Course Audit process, and strategies for building and sustaining a strong Chinese language program. Special a en on will be given to creating rigorous, engaging, equitable, and culturally responsive learning experiences that help students develop both language proficiency and intercultural competence.
Teachers will leave with practical resources, instructional routines, assessment ideas, and planning tools that can be implemented in the 2026-27 school year and beyond to strengthen AP Chinese instruction and support student growth.
This AP Chinese Language and Culture Summer Ins tute is designed to help teachers strengthen their understanding of the AP Chinese course and exam while developing prac cal, student-centered instruc onal approaches that support success for diverse learners. Participants will explore the revised AP Course and Exam Descripyion (CED) in detail, including recent updates and changes, and examine how these revisions shape curriculum planning, assessment, classroom instruction, and long-term program development.
Through collaborative activites, analysis of authentic student work, and practical teaching strategies, participants will deepen their understanding of the AP Chinese framework, proficiency-based instruc on, and the integration of the three modes of communiction. The ins tute will examine each section of the AP Chinese Exam and provide opportunities to unpack task expectations, scoring guidelines, student samples, and instructional implications. Participants will also explore how to use student performance data and classroom-based assessments to guide instruction and provide meaningful feedback.
In addition to exam preparation, participants will explore how to design meaningful learning experiences that build language proficiency, cultural understanding, and student confidence throughout the year. The institute will also address course pacing, formative and summative assessment practices, the AP Course Audit process, and strategies for building and sustaining a strong Chinese language program. Special a en on will be given to creating rigorous, engaging, equitable, and culturally responsive learning experiences that help students develop both language proficiency and intercultural competence.
Teachers will leave with practical resources, instructional routines, assessment ideas, and planning tools that can be implemented in the 2026-27 school year and beyond to strengthen AP Chinese instruction and support student growth.
Conference Presentations
- 2025中文教师座谈会—共筑桥梁：中文教育的传承与创新 • Washington, D.C. • December 2025
- 中文项目如何从“有人教”走向“能长期发展”—在美国公立学校推动中文项目的实践经验
- ACTFL Convention • New Orleans, LA • November 2025
- Empowering Language Programs: Inspiring Learners, Leading Change
- AP Annual Conference • Las Vegas, NV • July 2024
- Mastering AP Chinese Presentational Writing: From Basics to Brilliance
- National Chinese Language Conference • New York, NY • April 2023
- Apply Three Modes of Communication Tasks to Develop Chinese Literacy Skills
- CLASS Frontline 2023 Chinese New Year Session • Virtual • January 2023
- Teaching Ideas for the Spring Festival
- ACTFL Convention • Boston, MA • November 2022
- Apply OPI Assessment Criteria to Design Interpersonal Communication Tasks
- CLTA-SC Spring 2022 Pedagogy Workshop • Virtual • April 2022
- Apply ACTFL Three Modes of Communication Tasks to Develop Chinese Literacy Skills