ALLEX Teacher Training Institute
A World Renowned Professorial Team
The ALLEX Chinese, Japanese and Korean Teacher Training Institute is an intensive course for current teachers of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, or those who plan to enter the field.
A Foundational Course in Asian Language Pedagogy
The program provides the foundation for a future instructor to teach Chinese, Japanese, and Korean and gives substantial tools to current teachers to reinforce and strengthen their programs. Effective methodology in teaching Chinese, Japanese, and Korean to North Americans is emphasized over a theoretical analysis of the languages. Participants include practicing teachers of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, those who wish to enter the field, and graduate students from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the United States
The ALLEX program is the longest running teacher training program in the field. Since 1988 the program has been held each summer.
The Curriculum
The curriculum of the intensive summer program includes a lecture component (covering such topics as the basic principles of effective Asian language pedagogy, classroom teaching techniques, the linguistic analysis of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, and language testing); an observation component (during which participants observe and analyze actual language classes taught by master instructors); and a demonstration component (during which participants teach actual class sessions, which are videotaped and later critiqued by program faculty members).
Our Focus
Pedagogical Theory
We instill in our instructors an understanding of developments in language teaching (particularly Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language teaching,) that view language as meaning-making activity that involves reflective performance.
Practical Experience
Trainees have ample opportunities in practice teaching with abundant constructive feedback.
Classroom Management
ALLEX trainees are prepared to assume responsibility for a beginning or intermediate language program at an American institution.
Example Topics We Cover
The Language
Nature of language
Learned and acquired culture
Language in culture vs. Language and Culture
Analysis of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean for Western students
Pedagogical grammar
Native orthography vs. pedagogical writing systems
The Classroom
ACT/FACT Dichotomy
Teaching of the four skills
Maintaining appropriate standards
Preparing a lesson plan
Determining appropriate pace
Use of visual aids
Use of audio- and videotapes and multimedia adaptations
Correction
Daily evaluation of class performance
Achievement vs. proficiency vs. prochievement testing
The Students
Handling students who are having problems
Total class involvement
Confidence building
Classroom etiquette
ALLEX faculty have mentored over 1,200 program participants over the last 30 years.
DETAILS
Schedule
The Institute is offered in hybrid format with four weeks of synchronous and asynchronous online sessions followed by a two-week in-person session at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The in-person session is full-time with six hours of class a day, five days a week. Both the online and in-person sessions require extensive preparation and review outside of formal class hours. Following the training program students head directly to their host institutions to start their teaching assignments.
Cost
$6,000
Estimate for Japanese and Chinese training program based on 2025 cost. Cost for Korean students may vary depending on participation in the full or online only training. Teaching Associate Program (TAP)/ Teaching Fellow Program (FP) students should see the Program Guidelines for updated costs.
Dates
6 Week Program
Early June – Early August
Online: Synchronous (live) classes held June 6-28, 2025 Friday and Saturday (U.S. Eastern Time) for 3 hours each evening in small group format. Prior to each synchronous session, students must complete 10 hours of asynchronous classwork, including viewing of pre-recorded lectures and teaching demonstrations.
In-Person: July 27-August 8, 2025 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
Lodging & Meals
Students are strongly encouraged to stay on the Cornell University campus. Single rooms at Cornell are approximately $100 a night. Students are housed in suites comprised of 2-3 single or double rooms with a shared bathroom in one of the newest dormitories on campus. A pillow and linens are provided; laundry facilities are available in the residence hall. Meals can be eaten in one of the university cafeterias for an additional cost or students can prepare their own food in one of the dorm kitchens.
Summer-only Students
We welcome graduate students, those expecting to teach within one year, and early-career university instructors to enroll in the Teacher Training Institute.
Summer-only students may be eligible for limited financial aid. (ALLEX TAP and FP program participants are not eligible.) Scholarship support ranges from $1,000 to $6,000.
To be considered for enrollment and apply for a scholarship please have TWO referees send a letter of recommendation to allexoffice@allex.org. A set of transcripts is also required. Financial aid is limited to U.S. based students.
Language teaching is a skill that requires mentorship, practice, and exploration.
Meet the Directors
-
Zhini Zheng
ALLEX Academic Director & ALLEX Professor of Chinese and Japanese Pedagogy;
Associate Professor of Chinese,
University of Mississippi -
Mari Noda
ALLEX Academic Director Emerita & ALLEX Professor of Pedagogy; Emerita Professor of Japanese
The Ohio State University -
Kumiko Takizawa
ALLEX Director of Japanese & ALLEX Professor Japanese Pedagogy;
Visiting Assistant Professor,
Williams College -
Yongsuk Song
ALLEX Director of Korean & ALLEX Professor Japanese & Korean Pedagogy;
Assistant Professor of Japanese,
University of Tokyo
ALLEX thanks the many professors and lecturers who have been part of our team, including:
Japanese: Asahi Matsumoto, Harvard University; David Patt, ALLEX; Eleanor Jorden, Cornell University; Emiko Konomi, Portland State University; Eriko Akamatsu, Cornell University; Ginger Marcus, Washington University in St. Louis; Hiroaki Kawamura, University of Findlay; Kaho Sakaue, Japan Center for Michigan Universities; Kanako Yao, Wakefield University; Kumiko Takizawa, Williams College; Lindsay Yotsukura, University of Maryland; Mari Noda, The Ohio State University; Masayuki Itomitsu, Linfield College; Masumi Sadler, University of Illinois; Misa Suzuki, Cornell University; Nagisa Shimizu, University of North Texas; Naomi Nakada, Cornell University; Nozomi Imai, Vanderbilt University; Patricia Wetzel, Portland State University; Robert Sukle, Cornell University; Sahoko Ichikawa, Cornell University; Sanae Eda, Middlebury College; Shinsuke Tsuchiya, Brigham and Young University; Stephen Luft, Brigham and Young University; Suwako Watanabe, Portland State University; Tomoko Hongo, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology; Yongsuk Song, University of Tokyo; Yuko Kawai, The Ohio State University
Chinese: Cornelius Kubler, Williams College; Donglin Cai, University of Maryland Baltimore; Haohsiang Lao, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Jianfen Wang, Berea College; Li Cong, Duke Kunshan University; Rachel Wayne, The Ohio State University; Yongfang Zhang, Wofford College; Zhang Xin, Duke Kunshan University; Zhini Zeng, University of Mississippi