艾華中文學校是由十幾家熱心的中國家長們於一九九八年十月自組互助的中文學團開始，學生家長們出錢又出力的負責所有教學及各項活動。學校的前身是由李錦新女士主導的艾爾巴索中文學校(一九九零 ~ 一九九五)。二零零四年五月,本校已於德州及聯邦政府立案為非營利事業機構,所有的捐款得以減抵所得稅。

每週三小時的課程以注音符號及傳統國字為教學中心，提供學生小班制聽、說、讀、寫的學習環境，並鼓勵家長共同參與並瞭解上課內容，此舉對於學生的課後複習及家庭作業很有幫助，對無中文背景的家庭尤其重要。

我們除了提供中文學習環境外，並參與社區的文化活動。在中國新年的節目中，鼓勵學生表演中國詩詞、兒歌、音樂、中國功夫、舞獅及舞蹈等等，不僅可藉此驗收學生們的學習成效並可達到寓教與學於樂的目的。

艾爾巴索(艾城)地處美、墨兩國及兩州(德州與新墨西哥州)交界，氣候乾爽，沒天災，少人禍及低生活指數，是許多人選擇養老的城市。近幾年隨著國際貿易的發展，帶來多國廠商匯集於此，如同我們學生的組成也是多國籍，不同年齡層。

本校的特色是只要學生肯學,有家長願意共同參與，我們的老師都願全力以赴的教導，若您也有興趣參與或提供資助、教學(中文或才藝)，歡迎您加入我們的行列。

後言

2021年底艾華更是率先成立德州第一所(也是美南第一所)台灣華語學習中心 (TCML)，自2022年一月開課以來每學期都有穩定的成長, 並榮獲2024年臺灣華語文學習中心[優良]評鑑。

2022年秋季, 艾華決定把學校用的標準發音工具從注音改為拼音，這是由實際經驗觀察決定的: 拼音的拉丁字母是比較對學習者友善；拼音可用的資源較多；拼音比較容易學習及打字；現有的拼音材料也比注音的多很多。用拼音學生能在比較短的時間內把發音學好，可以快些進展到下個學中文的階段。

“El Paso” Ai-Hwa Chinese Language School was established in October 1998 by a group of enthusiastic parents who helped the school financially, taught in classes, and organized extracurricular activities. The predecessor of the school was named “El Paso Chinese Language School”, which operated from 1990 to 1995 under the direction of Mrs. Anne Liu. In May 2004, Ai-Hwa was incorporated as a nonprofit organization and donations can be tax deductible.

With a curriculum focusing on phonetics and traditional Chinese characters, the school provides weekly 3-hour classes for small groups of students to listen, speak, read, and write in the Chinese language. Parents are encouraged to participate in each lesson and to understand its content. Such practices greatly facilitate the efforts in supervising their children in reviewing class notes and completing their homework.

In addition, extracurricular programs are organized to enrich their experience in the community and cultural activities with traditional Chinese flavors. In the program for Chinese New Year celebration, we encourage students to participate in talent shows involving Chinese poetry, children’s songs, music, Chinese martial arts, the lion dance and other traditional dances. These activities not only enhance our educational achievement but also make our teaching and learning more enjoyable.

El Paso is located at the US-Mexico border and at the state line between Texas and New Mexico, where the weather is nice and dry with no serious threats from natural disasters. Furthermore, ranked as the second safest city in the US with a low cost of living, El Paso is a popular choice for retired people. With the development of global economy in recent years, the city benefits from its unique geographical location in attracting companies in other countries to this area. The diversity in nationality and age is also reflected in our student population.

Highly motivated students who are eager to learn, supportive parents who are willing to participate, and devoted teachers who are working diligently to deliver their best instructions are the major characteristics of our Ai-Hwa. If you are interested in participating and/or providing resources for helping our teaching and cultural activities, you are welcome to join us in this endeavor.

Afterword

At the end of 2021, Ai-Hwa was the first to establish the first Taiwanese Mandarin Learning Center (TCML) in Texas (also the first in the southern United States). Since the first semester of 2022, there has been steady growth every semester, there has been steady growth every semester and received an outstanding achievement review for 2024 Excellent Performance.

Starting with the fall semester of 2022, Ai-Hwa switched from Zhuyin to Pinyin as the standard pronunciation tool. Through empirical data, it is found that Pinyin’s Latin script makes it more learner-friendly; there are more resources available; it is relatively easier to learn and to type; and there are more materials using Pinyin than Zhuyin. The students can pick up the pronunciation in much shorter time and will be able to progress sooner to the next tasks of learning Chinese.

董事會成員 (Board of Directors/Officers)

Your Support is greatly appreciated.  Donation please

Zelle to epChineseOrg@gmail.com

or A Check Payable to

Ai-Hwa Chinese Language School