Warwick Valley’s Mandarin Chinese program — a delicious way to learn a language

Warwick Valley High School teacher Dr. Ping Xu Moroney enjoys sharing her Chinese heritage with her Mandarin Chinese language students. That means she immerses them not only in grammar, pronunciation, and conjugation, but in the sights, sounds, and especially the flavors of her culture as well.

This week, Dr. Ping took her middle and high school students to the Home & Careers kitchen at Warwick Valley Middle School for their annual lesson on how to make Shanghai wonton soup. Dr. Ping was joined for the lesson by Warwick Valley parent Nana Cui, also from China, who helped guide the sessions and share additional information about traditional Chinese cuisine. 

Dr. Ping finds the wonton lesson particularly effective in engaging the students and deepening their learning through its hands-on nature. From seasoning to filling to folding to boiling, the students make their wontons from scratch before enjoying their culinary creation. The process creates a perfect environment to discuss the history and cultural significance of different Chinese ingredients and foods. As much as possible, the group speaks in Mandarin Chinese as they work on the wontons.

“They are learning by doing,” said Dr. Ping. “Afterward, I give them a writing assignment using a structure similar to what you would use if you were working on an advanced degree, like writing a thesis.”

The follow-up essay must be written entirely in Mandarin Chinese, and the students are given prompts to help shape their submissions. They must begin with an introduction to the food and its place in Chinese culture. Their essays then had to address other topics included in the lesson: the ingredients that go into the wontons, the specific utensils used to prepare, serve and eat the wontons, and the delicate flavors and healthy qualities of wonton soup.

“Then, the last part, the conclusion,” exclaimed Dr. Ping. “Why wontons are so incredible!”

Warwick Valley High School freshman Audrey Grace Finn has enjoyed the wonton lesson more than once, having been a student of Dr. Ping in middle school.

“I really love that we’re learning about Chinese culture by doing something that is such a traditional thing like making wontons,” said Audrey. “It’s definitely one of my favorite lessons. The wonton soup is so good, and it’s fun to cook together with everyone.”

Brian Kastan, also a WVHS freshman, agreed.

“Oh, definitely, working together with everyone on making the wontons is really fun,” he said. “It’s different from sitting at our desks or studying at home. The group activity part of it really makes it fun.”

Dr. Ping is proud to have multiple students going for the NYS Seal of Biliteracy in Chinese this year, but beyond her students’ dedication and admirable academic achievements, she is also proud to know that they have taken away parts of Chinese culture that they can in turn share with others. By learning to cook Chinese food, it becomes a skill they have for their life. And, like food in any culture, it’s a great way to bring people together.

“Cooking together is a wonderful way to spend quality time, gain valuable life skills, and foster a love for healthy eating and learning Chinese language and culture. And it’s something they can share with family and friends,” said Dr. Ping. “Even, for instance, throwing a Chinese food party to meet people when they get to college, or at their work one day!”

In another food-related lesson this year, Dr. Ping and her students took a field trip to New York City’s Chinatown to take in some Chinese culture and enjoy a lunch of dim sum and tea. They began their trip with a visit to the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA). The museum is “…dedicated to preserving, illuminating, and celebrating the rich history and contributions of Chinese in America.” (www.mocanyc.org/about) 

At MOCA, the students took in some of the museum’s collection of over 85,000 artifacts, photographs, printed materials, textiles, and oral histories documenting the history and stories of the Chinese American diaspora. MOCA’s impressive research archive provides access to the museum’s collection of records and objects documenting New York’s Chinatown and Chinese American history.

After their museum visit, it was time for another delicious learning opportunity, as the group headed to a Chinese restaurant for an afternoon meal. Once again, the food served was an excellent point from which Dr. Ping could lead deeper discussions about Chinese culture.

The Mandarin Chinese students have one more field trip coming up this year, their annual trip to a nearby Buddhist temple. There, they learn about Buddhist traditions, its imagery, and even get to participate in a guided meditation session.

“We do that right before tests begin in the spring, so what a perfect time to learn a skill to calm the mind,” said Dr. Ping with a smile. “The students love that lesson too, and all the parents always want to chaperone. But the students’ favorite is always the wonton lesson! You know how I know? Because that’s one class when no students ever raise their hand to go to their locker, or the bathroom, or for a water break!”

Dr. Ping would like to thank the parents who joined the seventh grade wonton session this week: Ms. Rainey, Ms. Keglovitz and Ms. McMichael. And to another parent, Mr. Orr, for so graciously taking care of the lunch bill for the entire field trip group to Chinatown… Xièxiè!