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An author and illustrator presented about his life to two language classes on Nov. 9.
An author and illustrator presented about his life to two language classes on Nov. 9.
Chen Jiang Hong, fluent in both French and Mandarin, spoke to French teacher Annie Puretz’s Mods 11-12 Advanced Placement French class and Chinese teacher Xiaolin Chang’s Mods 16-17 AP Chinese class.
Students in both classes researched information on Hong beforehand and asked him pre-formulated questions. “Hong turned out to be modest, very approachable and kind, and informative,” Puretz said. “He was very in-tuned to young people, and he was an excellent listener. His French was impeccable.”
According to AP Chinese student senior Amy Yan, Hong immigrated to France from his native country, China. He was inspired to go to Paris because of his interest in art. Hong talked about these experiences and explained the principles of Chinese painting during the presentation. “It was interesting to know how a foreigner was able to live in a country that he wasn’t familiar with,” Yan said. “Hong seemed to have no troubles in France. He told his story very charismatically. This led me to have a new perspective and encouraged me to explore different places.”
AP French student senior George Lee enjoyed the career aspect of the presentation. “I loved hearing him speak,” Lee said. “He said that art is a business and that it has got to sell.”
Puretz was impressed by her students’ preparation for the presentation. “I truly enjoyed the presentation,” she said. “The questions that students asked were intelligent, pertinent and on topic. It’s so relevant for students whose parents were immigrants to see an Asian person that immigrated to France.”
Prior to the presentation, both classes read Hong’s autobiographical illustrated children’s book, Mao and Me. Hong originally wrote the book in French, and it was later translated into various other languages. The book focuses on his childhood in China’s Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976. “It was really fascinating how the book talks about Chinese culture,” AP French student senior Colleen Lem said. “The calligraphy paintings in it are really spectacular.”
The presentation was part of a program held by the French consulate office. The consulate creates programs in which students in French language classes learn about French culture. It has been working with various French classes in Bay Area high schools for over eight years, sending Puretz an illustrator or a writer of French children’s literature every year to speak to her AP French class. |
