Written by Hsiulien Chu
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
To ensure the next generation has access to a structured and comprehensive Chinese language education, Tzu Chi Academy Houston offers a full curriculum, from Pre-K Zhuyin classes and Basic Zhuyin classes to more advanced Chinese language courses. (Zhuyin is a phonetic system used in Taiwan to teach Mandarin pronunciation.) For overseas Chinese families settling in Texas, there’s no longer a need to worry about their children losing connection with their mother tongue.
While helping children learn the language, Tzu Chi Academy also places great emphasis on instilling humanistic values and kindness in their hearts – qualities that will shape who they become even more than language itself.
On May 18, 2025, Tzu Chi Academy held its 2024-2025 academic year graduation ceremony. Teachers, students, and parents gathered at Tzu Chi USA Southern Region’s Jing Si Hall in Houston to celebrate the completion of one phase of the students’ educational journey.
Unlocking More Learning Options With Humanitarian Education at the Core
Tzu Chi Academy Principal Carolyn Chen believes that the most important goal of a humanistic school like the academy is “spreading love” and cultivating empathy and sincerity. Addressing everyone assembled at the graduation ceremony, she said, “In fact, we are here for the good of the people we engage with. Master Cheng Yen’s ‘Three Wishes’ are to ‘purify the human heart, bring harmony to society, and create peace in the world.’ I believe this should be our goal, and we should move forward in this direction.”
According to Julie Yen, the Chinese Language Class 9 teacher, beloved by parents and students alike, Tzu Chi Academy provides children with many intangible assets. One of these is that students who already have a foundation in Chinese can save time otherwise spent on fulfilling foreign language requirements, giving them the flexibility to take other courses instead.
You don't need to study another foreign language, so you save a lot of time. You can take other courses instead, and you have many options – more paths, more space – and you can make your own decisions.
Cultivating Compassion Through Kindness and Generosity
Using Jing Si Aphorisms, Tzu Chi Academy teaches children to “speak good words, have good thoughts, do good deeds, and walk the right path,” and encourages them to put these teachings into practice by providing opportunities to engage in real-life acts of kindness and generosity. At the graduation ceremony, children who actively served others were recognized for their efforts.
Sophie Yang, the Chinese Language 3 teacher, interacts joyfully with her students at the graduation event. Photo/Chihchia Hsiao
Chinese Language Class 3 teacher Sophie Yang shared, “The principal taught them to make a mini bamboo bank.” Explaining how she applied this in her class, she said, “Every time they came to school for the humanitarian class, I would remind them, ‘Did you put in a quarter today? Did you aspire to do good? You should do this every day, like when you’re about to go out, or when you have some change or are about to buy something, put a quarter in the bamboo bank first. Because we never know when disasters might strike in this world! When you are in need, you’ll remember that you have this savings jar and can use it to help others.’”
Integrating Festivals Makes Learning Fun
Tzu Chi Academy blends learning with joy. Teachers are passionate about teaching, and students naturally absorb their enthusiasm. The curriculum also incorporates various cultural and traditional festivals, making the classroom experience more engaging and meaningful for everyone.
Ying Fei Lai, a teacher certified in early childhood education in Taiwan, expressed gratitude to Tzu Chi Academy Principal Chen for providing teachers with significant flexibility and support in teaching. “For activities related to humanities courses, teachers don’t need to worry about lesson planning, as the school handles all arrangements. Over the last few years, this teaching model has been well-received by teachers,” she said. “For example, Spring Festival activities and the celebration of Mother’s Day, which helps express gratitude to parents, are enjoyed by children. They love drawing cards or making gifts for their mothers, which makes them happy.”
Offering a Family Atmosphere Where Parents and Teachers Contribute Together
Emily Yeh, a Pre-K Zhuyin Class teacher, first came to Tzu Chi Academy as a parent. Since her son was enrolled and their home was far away, she decided to stay and help out, an experience that proved deeply rewarding. She said, “Every child has their own unique and adorable qualities… In fact, children’s ability to absorb knowledge is truly like a sponge. You keep giving it to them, and they keep absorbing it. Yes! So, I’ve learned a lot from them and am deeply moved.”
Tzu Chi Academy is like a family, where teachers support and learn from one another, and parents play an active role. Julie Chen, a parent with a Tzu Chi Collegiate Association background, loves the atmosphere at the academy and is always ready to lend a hand whenever help is needed. She also sees how much her child enjoys being there and shared, “Mainly because there are children of similar ages here! For him, coming here is to hang out with friends. Yes! They can play together, so he really enjoys coming here.”
Preserving Cultural Heritage While Cultivating Character
Under the leadership of Principal Carolyn Chen, Tzu Chi Academy Houston has continuously innovated, offering meaningful life experiences for students, teachers, and parents alike. Here, learning Chinese means more than just acquiring language skills; it also involves inheriting cultural traditions and cultivating character. Children not only learn Zhuyin and vocabulary, but also grow in gratitude, respect, and love, nurtured by the presence of both teachers and parents. This humanistic spirit becomes one of the most precious assets in a child’s life, planting seeds of hope for the next generation of Chinese youth and fostering a vision of a peaceful, disaster-free world.
Catering volunteers always quietly prepare delicious lunch for students and volunteers behind the scenes in the kitchen. Photo/ Chihchia Hsiao
