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The Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (TCML) at Tzu Chi Academy North Toronto, guided by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) of the Republic of China (Taiwan), held its 2026 Winter Adult Mandarin Program graduation ceremonies on March 24 and March 29.
On March 29, Director Po-Ching Lan and Deputy Director Tsai-Feng Hsu from the Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto were specially invited to attend. They joined teachers and students to witness the moving achievements of the learners, who had persevered through a harsh winter to deepen their understanding of Mandarin language and culture.
A Lively Exchange of Tongue Twisters and International Desserts
The graduation ceremony was vibrant, with students taking turns on stage to tackle the challenging Chinese tongue twister, “chī pú táo bù tǔ pú táo pí, bù chī pú táo dào tǔ pú táo pí” (eating grapes without spitting out the skins; not eating grapes yet spitting out the skins). The sight of non-native speakers earnestly practicing their retroflex sounds and tonal shifts earned a round of enthusiastic applause.
Sohel Suterwala, a student of Indian descent, generously brought traditional Indian sweets to share with the class, beautifully demonstrating the cross-cultural exchange that characterizes the TCML.
In his remarks, Director Po-Ching Lan highly praised the joyful interactions between teachers and students. He pointed out that the TCML is not just a professional language school but also a warm “big family.” He encouraged the graduates to continue integrating Mandarin into their daily lives and welcomed them to visit Taiwan in the future to experience its authentic culture and hospitality firsthand.
Immersive Learning: From Ordering at a Restaurant to Singing Classic Hits
This term’s curriculum emphasized practical, real-world application. A major highlight was “Singing Classic Songs,” where students improved their pronunciation by performing beloved hits such as “Tian Mi Mi” (Sweet Honey), “Yi Jian Mei” (A Spray of Plum Blossoms), and “The Moon Represents My Heart.” This teaching method, which combines audio-visuals with situational context, successfully deepened the students’ emotional connection to Mandarin and its cultural background.
The school also arranged a cultural immersion activity, taking students to a well-known local restaurant. From reading the menu to ordering food, they gained a deeper understanding of Taiwanese dining etiquette and everyday culture at the table.
While presenting the graduation certificates, Shu-Chen Huang, Principal of Tzu Chi Academy North Toronto and head of the TCML, expressed her heartfelt pride, “I am incredibly proud of every student. Despite heavy snow and strong winds, everyone persisted in attending classes. This dedication to learning is truly admirable. At TCML, we are not just learning a language; we are building a diverse cultural platform that transcends ethnicity and feels like home.”
The principal also announced that a “Taiwanese Food Festival” will be held in Toronto on September 19, 2024, warmly inviting the graduates to participate and continue this shared cultural connection.
The Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (TCML) at Tzu Chi Academy North Toronto is committed to providing the local community with professional, high-quality Mandarin education with a distinctive Taiwanese characteristics. Courses are designed for adults aged 18 and over, focusing on practical conversation and traditional Chinese characters. Through diverse cultural experiences, the center help learners appreciate Taiwan’s inclusiveness and values.