JINGJING LAI Page 1 of 2

JINGJING LAI
jingjing.lai.uw@gmail.com
Teaching Portfolio: jingjinglai.weebly.com
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA Jan. 2013 – Dec. 2014
M.A in Teaching English as a Second Language GPA: 3.97/4.0
Relevant Courses: Teaching English as a Second Language, Discourse Functional Grammar, Teaching
Second Language Writing, Language Assessment, Curriculum Development
Shanghai University, Shanghai, China Aug. 2008 – Dec. 2012
B.A in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language GPA: 3.73/4.0
Relevant Courses: Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Chinese Grammar, Modern Chinese
Literature, Intercultural Communication, Chinese Characters and Culture
Minor in International Economy and Trade
TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Upper School Chinese Teacher Sep. 2017 – Present

St. Luke’s School, 5-12 grade day school, New Canaan, CT
Ÿ Develop the Chinese Program curriculum through backward design and teach Chinese level 1-4.
Ÿ Create and implement engaging and interactive face-to-face and online activities to meet the needs of
different learning styles
Ÿ Use technology tools (e.g., Flipgrid, PearDeck, Edpuzzle) creatively to boost student engagement.
Ÿ Design student projects and assessments that encourage student choice and real-life applications to
practice interpersonal and presentational skills.
Ÿ Coordinate the exchange program with sister school, Dong Chang School in Shanghai.
Chinese/ESL Teacher Jan. 2015 – June. 2017
The Knox School, 6-12 grade boarding school, Saint James, NY
Ÿ Taught Chinese I & Chinese II (grade 8 – 12), Introduction to Chinese (6th & 7th grade), and Chinese
Language and Literature (native speaker level); Taught ESL courses to middle school and high school
students at all levels (High Beginning, High-intermediate, Advanced level)
Ÿ Incorporated technology to motivate learning and encourage students to become better self-learners
Ÿ Embraced project-based learning approach that encouraged students to apply language to solve
real-life problem and challenges
Ÿ Organized and assisted field trips (e.g., Chinese Museum, Tea House, Dim Sum restaurant) and
Chinese culturally related events (e.g., Chinese New Year Assembly, Chinese Language Partner
Program)
Advanced Grammar Instructor Aug. 2014 – Dec. 2014
Intensive English Communication Program, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Ÿ Taught advanced grammar to 17 ESL students through a discourse-oriented approach
Ÿ Created learner-friendly atmosphere through sensitivity to various learning styles
Ÿ Engaged students through communicative activities designed for maximum interaction
Ÿ Employed various effective assessment methods (tests, oral presentation, writing for promotion
criteria, grammar presentation project) to evaluate and promote learning
Ÿ Provided on-going feedback and guidance in group discussions and individual writing conferences
Chinese Instructor Mar. 2014 – Sep. 2014
Chinese Language Program, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Ÿ Taught first-year (Chinese 001) and second-year Chinese (Chinese 110) to college students through a
communicative approach
Ÿ Designed teaching materials, assessment plans, conduct writing workshops, grade workbook, etc.
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Chinese Teacher Feb. 2013 – May 2014
Happy Valley Chinese School, State College, PA
Ÿ Offered a various level of Chinese classes to heritage learners: kindergarten Chinese (summer camp),
7th grade Chinese, and the first Pre-AP Chinese course in State College area
Ÿ Promoted three modes of communication with a focus on reading and writing through project-based
learning approach: blog writing, analyzing Chinese websites, making travel plans to China.
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Middle School Coordinator Aug. 2016 June. 2017

The Knox School, Long Island, NY
Ÿ Served as the liaison between Middle School Faculty and Dean of Faculty to communicate student
behavior and academic issues
Ÿ Assisted and reinforced middle school discipline plans to address student behavior issues
Ÿ Created, implemented and oversaw the Middle School lunch duties and after-school program
Ÿ Planned and facilitated regular Middle School Faculty meetings to review and reinforce best practices
Ÿ Conferred with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve
students’ behavioral and academic problems and create opportunities for extracurricular enrichment
Club Advisor & Student Advisor & Head Houseparent Aug. 2015 June. 2017
The Knox School, Long Island, NY
Ÿ Advised World Cultures Club: facilitated students sharing cultures from different countries, assisted
International Fair, language partner sessions, morning culture announcements, etc.
Ÿ Advised a group of students to help address academic and behavior issues
Ÿ Supervised school dormitory as a head house parent: created dorm rules/procedures, conducted dorm
meetings, room checks, supervised study hall, managed student discipline issues
Vice President Sep. 2010 – May 2011
Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Association, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
Ÿ Organized Chinese Corners: Chinese calligraphy and martial arts shows
Ÿ Planned Language Exchange Program: conversational Mandarin language discussions between club
members and international students
Ÿ Initiated Chinese Table Program: cooking events to teach Chinese culture to international students
Editor-in-Chief Dec. 2010 – May 2011
Wenshi Yu Shehui, College Journal, College of Liberal Arts, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
Ÿ Initiated the first student-operated academic journal at Shanghai University
Ÿ Designed and edited content, and managed staff
Ÿ Organized conferences with students and local magazines for feedback
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
PUBLICATION
Jingjing Lai. (2020). Negotiating contrasting languages and rhetorics, in Canagarajah, S. (ed.)
Transnational Literacy Autobiographies as Translingual Writing. New York: Routledge, pp. 218-227.
PRESENTATIONS
Creative Use of Educational Technology to Increase Class Engagement and Language Proficiency
The 16th New York International Conference on Teaching Chinese, Columbia University May. 2018
Creative Use of Technology to Increase Motivation and Classroom Engagement
World Language Evening, Sponsored by Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, CT Feb. 2018
LANGUAGE SKILL & TECHNOLOGY
IELTS Score: Listening: 9 Speaking: 8 Reading: 9 Writing: 7
Proficient in educational tech tools: Online teaching through Zoom, PearDeck, Flipgrid, Padlet, Quizlet, Gimkit,
Seesaw, Edpuzzle, Kahoot, virtual classroom, Adobe Sparks, Jeopardy Labs, Jamboard, etc.