AFTER ACTION REPORT
CHINA-U.S. E-LANGUAGE PROJECT
TECHNICAL WORK GROUP MEETING, SEPTEMBER 25-26, 2002

BACKGROUND
On September 25-26, 2002 the Technical Work Group of the China-U.S. E-Language Project met in Beijing, China at the Radisson State Guest Hotel. Technical Work Group members who attended the two-day meeting were selected by both the Chinese and American governments to assist their respective nations in conceptualizing and building an E-Language Learning System (see attachment 1). Experts were selected from three areas: second language content and pedagogy; system design and development, and system dissemination and sustainability (see attachment 2). These three areas were used to frame the discussions of the technical work group members by dividing them into sub-groups or teams. The Chinese government selected twelve expert members and four advisors; the United States selected twelve experts and one advisor to participate in the two-day meeting.

DECISIONS MADE
Three major decisions about the E-Language Learning System were made. First, the age group to be focused on for the system and for which the content would be developed would begin with 12-18 year-olds. Secondly, an Olympic theme would be woven into the content developed, although it might not be the only theme. Finally, that Chinese language content would be developed using simple characters. These three decisions were used to guide the discussions.

FIRST SESSION
Vice Minister Zhang Xinsheng, Counselor Susan Sclafani, technical work group experts, advisors, government staff, and private sector entities (see attachment 3) gathered at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25th for the general session of the two day-meeting (see attachment 4). The session was chaired by Madame Zhang Xiuqin, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges at the Ministry of Education. The morning session began with formal remarks by both the Vice Minister and the Counselor on the importance of the bi-lateral cooperation between China and the United States, as well as the importance of the e-language system in helping the children of both nations learn a second language (see attachments 5 and 6).

Three presentations followed the formal remarks of these senior officials. Professor Gong Yafu presented data on the teaching of English to Chinese speakers and the challenges faced in providing English instruction to Chinese students (see attachment 7). Dr. Cynthia Ning presented information on the teaching of Chinese to American students, contrasting it to the teaching of English to Chinese students in China. Finally, Dr. Yong Zhao presented the concept paper for the basic system specifications of the E-Language Learning System (see attachment 8). Following the three presentations, there was a general question and answer period.

Madame Zhang concluded the morning session by announcing the team leaders of the three sub-groups that were convening in the afternoon and the following morning (see attachment 9). Team leaders met with Vice Minister Zhang, Counselor Sclafani, Deputy Director General Zhang, and Dr. Alan Ginsburg, Director of the Planning and Evaluation Service at the U.S. Department of Education, during the lunch period.

SECOND AND THIRD SESSIONS
The Chinese and American team leaders of the three sub-groups convened their members (see attachment 9) on the afternoon of September 25 and morning of September 26 to consider questions posed by the Ministry of Education and Department of Education on the building of an E-Language Learning System (see attachment 10). Discussions were animated and collegial as the groups wrestled with the technical and policy questions posed to them. Based on these discussions, the team leaders compiled presentations for reporting out the sub-group discussions at the final and fourth session.

VICE MINISTER’S BANQUET
Vice Minister Zhang honored the American delegation with a banquet at a traditional Chinese restaurant on the evening of September 25th. He addressed the group at that time. Following the Vice Minister’s remarks, Madame Zhang and Dr. Ginsburg exchanged the minutes from the May 2002 meeting between Vice Minister Zhang and Counselor Sclafani. The Vice Minister then proposed a toast to the group wishing them continued success and friendship, especially as the Ministry of Education and the Department of Education continue in their E-Language Learning partnership. The Vice Minister presented Counselor Sclafani with a special present. In addition, all members of the American delegation received a gift. An evening of traditional Chinese music capped the event.

SESSION FOUR
Dr. Ginsburg convened the final and fourth session of the technical work group meeting. He began the session by making a general announcement that the next technical work group meeting would be convened in the United States in January. He suggested to the group that an appropriate venue for that meeting might be Hawaii.

Report outs from the three sub-groups followed the general scheduling discussion. Team leaders from the three sub-groups presented the conclusions of their colleagues. The first speakers were the joint team leaders of the content and pedagogy sub-group, Dr. Gary Cziko and Dr. Lu Wei (see attachment 11). The second speaker was Dr. Tanja Schultz who presented the work of the system design and development sub-group (see attachment 12). The final speaker was Wang Jian, a member of the system dissemination and sustainability sub-group (see attachment 13). A detailed discussion followed the three presentations that raised some concerns and issues for further inquiry.

Following concluding remarks from Counselor Sclafani and Vice Minister Zhang, Dr. Ginsburg began to end the two-day meeting by recognizing Madame Zhang. Madame Zhang in turn recognized her staff for their work in ensuring the meeting’s success. Dr. Ginsburg also thanked his staff and contractor for making the American effort in China a success. The meeting ended at 5:10 pm.

COUNSELOR’S BANQUET
Counselor Sclafani hosted a thank you banquet for the technical work group members, the members of the Ministry of Education and others at the Novahotel at which western food was served. Again, traditional Chinese music was performed for the entertainment of the guests. Counselor Sclafani offered a toast to the Vice Minister and the E-Language Learning System team, wishing the group continued success and thanking them for their efforts. The Counselor also presented a special gift to the Vice Minister and other gifts to the Chinese delegation following the meal.

ARRANGEMENTS
All U.S. arrangements in Beijing were provided by Hibay, LTD including arrangements associated with this two-day meeting.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: List of Technical Work Group Members
Attachment 2: Selection Criteria for Technical Work Group Members
Attachment 3: List of Technical Work Group Meeting Attendees
Attachment 4: Agenda
Attachment 5: Remarks from the Vice Minister Zhang
Attachment 6: Remarks from Counselor Sclafani
Attachment 7: Professor Gong’s Presentation
Attachment 8: Concept Paper for the E-Language Learning System
Attachment 9: List of Sub-Groups and Their Members
Attachment 10: Questions for the Sub-Groups
Attachment 11: Content and Pedagogy Presentation
Attachment 12: System Design and Development Presentation
Attachment 13: System Dissemination and Sustainability Presentation