The rich content and standard appropriate reading resources for other languages have always the envy of Chinese language teachers and learners. Our endeavors to put an end of this situation goes back a long way. The following is chronical list of the milestones in the development of iChineseReader.
Pre-iChineseReader (2010-2013)
January 2010, supported by the wholesale bookstore, iChineseEdu (formerly the Chinese Language Education and Research Center, CLERC) created iRead Club to provide catalogs of leveled Chinese reading materials for various Chinese programs. All titles on the catalog were categorized by content subjects and readers’ ages.
October 2013, the first issue of iChineseReader Magazine, an online bilingual magazine for Chinese language learners was published. Although this project was ended in one year, the Chinese and English names, “iChineseReader 爱读” were officially used and went to the public. They continued to be used for our current digital reading platform.
iChineseReader · 爱读 (2013-2018)
January 2013, primary project feasibility evaluation commenced, and project proposal was formally approved later in this year.
April 2013, two best known publishers specializing in Chinese language education, Peking University Press and Juvenile & Children’s Publishing House joined the project and provided thousands of popular book titles that iChineseReader can choose from.
November 2014, iChineseReader trial web version was launched. It was one of the most sensational events in the Chinese L2 community that year. We received many constructive suggestions and feedbacks from trial users.
April 10, 2015, iChineseReader 1.0 (web and App for iPad) was officially launched. It was the first online platform that provides leveled popular Chinese readers to Chinese L2 learners and educators. The priority for first round inclusion in iChineseReader goes to popular titles widely read and loved by native readers.
April 2016, iChineseReader 2.0 created for school adoption and L2 learners the “progress Reading” section, devoted mainly to works by local US teachers in accurate correlation with ACTFL and Common Core standards as well as all major Textbook series adopted in various Chinese programs.
September 2016, iChineseReader upgraded to its 3.0 version. Standards and proficiency based contents ensure full adaptability in classrooms of both Chinese immersion and world language programs. The enhanced class management functions allow teacher to assign differentiated homework, and to evaluate student reading progress to determine if students meet the goals set forth by states’ learning standards.
Adopted by more than 300 U.S. schools and Chinese language programs, the first and most popular leveled Chinese reading platform iChineseReader will release its new version at ACTFL 2017.
After a group evaluation and trial by educators and Chinese language teachers in Delaware, iChineseReader will be officially adopted by all Delaware’s Chinese Language Immersion Programs in the Fall of 2018. This means that all 1,250 Delaware students in grades K-6 can now enjoy standard-aligned leveled readers on iChineseReader in upcoming school year.
As the first and most popular leveled Chinese reading platform, iChineseReader has significantly expanded its content areas, covering language arts, math, science, sociology, and AP Chinese. Our subscribing schools are growing fast! Many Chinese immersion programs choose iChineseReader as a supplement to their textbook and curriculum. Come to meet us at NCLC on May 17-19! Please visit our booth #101, to explore iChineseReader’s features, functions and new content. You are also invited to join our academic breakout sessions and production workshop, to learn how iChineseReader can facilitate mastery of content-area literacy for your students. Surprising gifts will be given to early visitors and friends.
We are waiting for you to meet us at ACTFL on Nov.16-18! We can’t wait to introduce our newest star series to you!
Grade-Level Content Based Readers on History/Social Studies series incorporates all essential disciplinary concepts of the HSS Standards and implements the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies as well as the C3 and ELA/ELD Frameworks. Inquiry-based and in particular consideration of students’ comprehension in the capacity of L2 Chinese learners, this series adopted an innovative three-tiered approach. Each concept or topic is explored or investigated by a group of articles in an upward spiral fashion, going deeper and wider after each tier.
Multiple Modes L2 Thematic Readers series explores each of the universal world language themes covered with five articles of different text types and from five different angels and difficulties. These five articles include: 1) a core reading, 2) a timed reading, 3) an extended reading, 4) an interactive reading, and 5) a task-based authentic material reading. This approach not only effectively help students expand in a natural and engaging manner their vocabulary and comprehension of the theme, but also invigorates your teaching in a big way!