LanguageBird Instructor Promotes Cultural Discovery at Mid-Autumn Festival

At LanguageBird, learning a new language is more than memorizing vocabulary or conjugating verbs. Our students engage in one-on-one lessons with native-level instructors, learning to appreciate language as a living, breathing part of global culture. This approach not only enhances students’ conversational abilities but also opens doors to cultural immersion and a global mindset. With the ability to choose from 15 languages, LanguageBird students experience the world through the eyes of their instructors, who come from all corners of the globe.

Shuo Xu Blankenship, one of our dedicated LanguageBird Mandarin instructors, and her family, took an active role in the Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration in South Florida on September 15, 2024, held at Florida Atlantic University and organized by the North American Economic Herald (NAEH) Media Group. Shuo, based in West Virginia, has been part of LanguageBird since March 2022. With a bachelor’s degree in law and a master’s in language instruction, she brings a diverse academic background and a passion for teaching, making her an invaluable asset to our students.

This festival, an important cultural event in Chinese communities worldwide, celebrates unity, family, and tradition through activities such as moon worship, lantern lighting, and sharing mooncakes. Ms. Blankenship’s participation in this event enriched the festival’s cultural impact, allowing her to share her heritage with the wider community in Florida while also enhancing her students’ understanding of these important traditions by incorporating them in their virtual classes.

Ms. Blankenship’s involvement in promoting this cultural event contributed greatly to the festival’s overall success. Her efforts helped highlight various traditional performances, offering attendees a firsthand glimpse into authentic Chinese culture. Attendees experienced:

• Mesmerizing Moves: BNU’s Art Department blended traditional Chinese dance with contemporary choreography, featuring the “Fan Dance” and “Drum Dance.”
• Melodic Traditions: The enchanting sounds of guzheng, erhu, pipa, and dizi, played by skilled musicians, transported attendees through China’s musical heritage.
• Martial Mastery: Masters of Chinese martial arts showed their extraordinary skills, captivating the audience with their power and grace.
• Jingju Spectacle: The vibrant world of Beijing (Peking) Opera dazzled audiences with its elaborate costumes, makeup, and performances, highlighting the intricate artistry of this iconic form.

Through promoting these performances and discussing the cultural event with her students, Ms. Blankenship helped the community gain a deeper understanding of the cultural traditions behind the language they are learning.

Language Learning That Goes Beyond the Classroom

While traditional language school classes can be limited by large student-teacher ratios, rigid curriculums, and few languages and levels to choose from, LanguageBird offers a personalized experience. Our students learn at their own pace with personalized, one-on-one lessons. Instructors tailor each session to the student’s goals, interests, and career aspirations.

Partnering with LanguageBird goes beyond academics—it equips students with the tools to thrive in an interconnected world and makes language a gateway to understanding global cultures and perspectives. From earning credits to gaining fluency and cultural insight, our accredited courses provide an unmatched learning experience. Explore our language offerings and connect with the world through LanguageBird.