Northern California Chinese Schools Launch AI Admin Camp and Teaching Workshop to Help Retain Students

With enrollment declining and AI rapidly entering the classroom, how can overseas Chinese language schools hold on to their students – and how should teachers adapt? The Association of Northern California Chinese Schools is rolling out two "recharging" events. In September, a camp for principals and administrators will focus on school operations and aligning with mainstream education; in October, the association will hold its first-ever teaching workshop, covering everything from AI collaboration to immersive instruction and teacher-student communication – all designed to energize frontline teachers.

Tsai Chia-hua, deputy director of the Overseas Community Affairs Council's education center, noted that helping overseas Chinese education connect with mainstream schooling has long been a priority for both the schools and the council.

Association president Liao Hsiu-ching said the admin camp hasn't been held for a year or two, and this year's revival aims to "recharge" principals and administrators. She joked that when teachers, students, and parents have problems, they all turn to the principal – "so who does the principal turn to?" She hopes the association can serve as a backbone of support.

The camp, themed "A Date with the Principal: Power Up Your Administration," will take place on September 27 at the Tzu Chi Northern California branch in San Jose. Liao pointed out that while some Chinese schools are losing students or even facing closure, others continue to grow – making it worthwhile for them to learn from one another. She wants principals to know "you're not alone," and to return to their schools "fully charged" when the event ends.

Hui-Feng Kou, president of the Fremont Union High School District Board, will speak on "Looking Ahead Without Losing Sight of Our Original Intent: School Administration in the AI Era," sharing her secrets for retaining students, parents, and administrative teams. Lee Ting-yi, principal of the Taipei Cultural Center's Mandarin Learning Center (TCML) in San Francisco, will discuss finding new student pipelines through adult Mandarin programs. Vice Principal Chen Chun-che will address aligning Chinese language credits with mainstream education, and a TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language) sharing session is also on the agenda.

The association's first teaching workshop will be held on October 18 at the Overseas Community Affairs Council center in the San Francisco Bay Area, themed "Stepping Into a New Era of Teaching," with a focus on AI collaboration, instructional innovation, and the art of communication.

Three speakers are invited. Chen Heng-liang will share how teachers can work with AI to boost teaching efficiency while reflecting on the professional value that teachers alone can provide. Wang Min-chuan will present hands-on lesson plans and teaching aids to make Chinese classes "playful, active, and alive." Hai Xiang will offer tips on classroom management and parent-teacher communication.

Liao will also host a "Coffee with the President" session to hear directly from frontline teachers.