Cantonese Saturday School

Chinese School is a tradition and rite of passage for Chinese Canadians dating back over a hundred years. Through our program, language learning is used to advocate for an endangered community and language under threat. Innovative teachings spill from a heritage classroom to Chinatown’s streets, shops and spaces in experience of a living Cantonese community. Students gain a deeper sense of place and belonging, and new skills for making authentic cultural connections.

NB: This is a Beginner's level course designed for Adult learners, and focused on survival Cantonese. Conversation only; no reading or writing.

Saturday School originally ran in 2014 as a public program of Centre A and its exhibit, M’goi/Do Jeh: Sites, Rites and Gratitude, curated by Tyler Russell. The program was guest curated by participating artist Kathryn Gwun-Yeen Lennon 姚君妍 (a co-founder of Youth Collaborative for Chinatown), with linguist and language instructor, Dr. Zoe Lam 林慧雯, and numerous community partners.

Jan 14, 2018 - YCC Cantonese Class-8.jpg

YCC Mon Keang School - First Class Justice Randall Wong (54 of 83).jpg

TERMS

Please note classroom learning has been suspended during Covid-19.

NB: Terms are normally offered twice per year, in January/February and September/Fall.

pre-register for next term offered

about mon keang chinese school

One of the first Chinese schools in the city, Mon Keang School opened in 1925 in the Wong Benevolent Association building, one of Chinatown’s heritage-designated Chinese society buildings dating over a century and located in the National Historic Site of Pender Street. Mon Keang means “strong culture”.

The building's use by the Mon Keang School is an important part of its heritage value. It illustrates the value overseas immigrants placed on the Chinese language and cultural education of their Canadian-born children or 土生 (Canto: tousang, Mando: tusheng, “born of the earth”). Chinese language was important to perpetuate Chinese culture, give Canadian-born children the skills required to function in a predominantly Chinese-speaking environment, and maintain intergenerational relationships within family and community.

Mon Keang graduates include Canada’s first federally-appointed Chinese judge, Justice Randall Wong, and historian and author, Paul Yee, whose fonds at the City of Vancouver Archives include an exercise book and report card from his time as a student.

Mon Keang School closed its doors in 2011 due to declining enrolment and changing demographics that favour learning Mandarin over Cantonese. It was re-opened in 2016 through our program.

INSTRUCTOR BIO

Dr. ZOE WAI-MAN LAM 林慧雯 is sessional lecturer in UBC’s Asian Studies Department teaching basic Cantonese for Mandarin speakers. She completed her PhD in 2018 in the UBC Linguistics Department, investigating how heritage speakers of Cantonese in Canada perceive tones.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Zoe is an advocate for linguistic diversity, frequently invited to speak on her Cantonese-related academic and community work to local and international media outlets. Learn more about Zoe’s teaching and research.