HOME Upcoming Events Photo Gallery Culture History Directory Business Health

Road to Healthy Living

“Road to Healthy Living” is a series of published newspaper articles and radio broadcasts offered by Alberta Health Services in various ethno-cultural media to increase and promote health awareness among ethno-cultural communities.

Road to Healthy Living is currently published in the following newspapers:
1. Chinese Singtao - 1st Saturday
2. Chinese CCECA-Cosmopolitan Weekly News - 4th Thursday
3. Chinese North American Chinese Weekly - 1st Friday
4. Chinese Oriental News – Every Thursday
5. English Mabuhay Filipino Calgary - Monthly
6. Korean CN Dream – 3rd Thursday
7. Korean Alberta Journal – 3rd Friday
8. Punjabi Des Punjab Times – 1st Thursday
9. Punjabi Sikh Virsa Calgary - Monthly
10. Vietnamese Little Saigon – Monthly

We also have Road to Healthy Living on the following radios and TVs:
1. Cantonese Fairchild radio-FM 94.7 1020-1045, 3rd Friday
2. Mandarin Fairchild radio-FM 94.7 1525-1555, 3rd Friday
3. Punjabi Sabrang Radio 1810-1900, 3rd Wednesday
4. Punjabi Radio SurSangam 1800-1900, 3rd Monday
5. Vietnamese CJSW FM 90.7 1000-1030, 2nd or 3rd Saturday
6. Spanish Soy Latinoamericano FM 94.7 1800-1900, 3rd Wednesday
7. Spanish Buscando America FM 90.9, 1100-1300, 3rd Sunday
8. Como En Casa TV Shaw channel 89,1330-1400, 3rd Thursday

Road to Healthy Living articles are on the following websites:
1. Calgary Chinese Website www.CalgaryChinese.com
2. Korean CN Dream Website www.CNdreams.com
3. Punjabi Des Panjab Website despanjab.com
4. Multilingual Chinatown Calgary Website www.chinatowncalgary.com
5. Chinese Community Response to Family Violence www.ccrfv.ca
6. Multilingual Immigrant Seniors Website www.immigrantseniorscalgary.ca

All published articles can be found on our website:
www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/programs/diversity/multilingual_health_services.htm

For more information about Road to Healthy Living, please contact:
Newspaper Articles
Silvia Song
Diversity Liaison
Public Health, Calgary Zone
Tel: 403 955-1488
silvia.song@albertahealthservices.ca

Radio and TV Broadcasts
Yvonne Hau
Diversity Liaison
Public Health, Calgary Zone
Tel: 403 955-1486
yvonne.hau@albertahealthservices.ca

ESL and Multiculturalism in Canada

By Paul K.P. Wong

I and other three parents of ESL students were invited on the 2004 ESL (English as Second Language) Parent Panel which was held by the ESL Advisory Committee of the Calgary Board of Education at Lester B. Pearson High School at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31 to share our opinions on the panel.  Followings were the questions and answers prepared by me:

Where are you from and why did you and your family come to Canada?  When did you arrive?
I came to Canada from Hong Kong in 1972 by myself.  I was looking for a better opportunity to learn English, and hoped to have a better future.

If you ask me why I chose Canada to be my future homeland, then I would like to say that before I applied to come to Canada, I did a lot of research, mostly comparisons with other countries -- about their history, geography, people (majority and minority), population, customs, languages, laws, political system, economics, industry, agriculture, cities, educational systems and standards, the difference of cultures, the foreign policies and military system.  After the research, I finally picked Canada.  The reason is simple: Canada is a country that is friendlier, peaceful and offer liberty.  It had huge territories and lands, a young country that need more contributions from people, offer opportunities and provide a better living standard.

My wife came to Canada in July, 1977 after I moved to Calgary from Montreal, and we were married in September the same year.  All my other family members arrived to Calgary from Hong Kong in 1979.

Describe education/school in your country.
Please refer to the educational comparison chart.

Describe your feelings / impressions the first time you came to your child’s school.
My first impressions of D.D.O. were:
- The area of the school is huge;
- The school looks nice;
- The school has a large playground;
- A group of friendly staff;
- Lots of classrooms;
- Neat and clean;
- Good facilities with school bus provided;
- Convenient (it is close to my house);
- Student dress code is without uniforms;
- No text books (that parents don’t have to bear the text book expense);
- The school provided stationery for the students, as long as the parents prepaid the fee. 

Describe your child’s adjustment to school.
My son Christopher was born in Calgary in 1994.  Before he came to D.D.O., he attended one year of play-school.  Therefore, there was no problem for him to make adjustment to the Kindergarten class, except with his language skill in English.  Due to his character (shy and quiet), it took him a couple of years (2–3 years) to pick up the English communication skill with his group of friends at school.  With the ESL program to assist him, he is doing fine right now.  I praise the School Board for having this ESL Program and well trained teachers/specialists to help all ESL students to improve their English speaking and writing skills.

Is education in Canada similar to that in your country?
It is not quite similar.  (Please refer to the educational comparison charts).

How are parents involved in their children’s education in your country?
None.  (Please refer to the educational comparison charts).

Are you interested in your child’s school?
Yes, I really like most of D.D.O.’s teachers and staff, because they are very friendly and understanding.  All students are well behaved, and the school has a good learning facility and environment.  Ms. Allen, the ESL teacher is not only friendly, but she is also a very understanding person.  Her friendly smile makes you feel optimistic and welcome every day, just like the ESL specialist Mr. David Linton (the former ESL teacher of D.D.O.) and the ESL assistant Mrs. Phan.  I am very impressed with the Principals of D.D.O.: their kind and friendly attitudes provide a teacher/student/parent friendship which I have never seen or experienced in Hong Kong.

How can we help you and other ESL parents to spend time in our schools?
I know that it is hard to ask ESL parents to spend time in school, because most of them have to work long hours for a living.  Some parents find the educational system in Canada is quite different from what they got used to in their homeland.  Their English background is also one of essential issues they worry about in communication.  For example, why can’t the school hold the Grade 6 graduation ceremony (with awards and graduation certificates presentations) in the evening instead of holding it in the morning?   The ceremony may even be held on Saturdays to give them a better chance to attend.

Are there services the school could offer parents and families?
Apart from the ESL Program in D.D.O., I realize that there are some other services offered such as the homework club and the computer club.  However, I suggest the following services for the school’s consideration:

- To hold some achievement programs, i.e. awards and competitions to encourage students in their learning in all subjects.  Also the school should set up two levels of awards English to encourage ESL students – to read, speak and write.  I hope the Parent Council may be able to support the school to hold such programs.  

- If the school and ESL parents are very concerned about their students/kid’s learning behavior and skill at home, the school may help those ESL families to get some financial assistance from the government for sharing their private/home tutoring payments.  Most of ESL families have low incomes and the parents are the hard earning working classes.  D.D.O. is lucky enough to have a specialist in this field; she is Ms. Jo-Ann Noble – the Community Support Counsellor from the Salvation Army Children’s Village and Government’s LINK Program.  I think Ms. Noble may be able to help link up the financial assistance for those needed families.   

- I hope the government or some of the non-profit organizations have such kind of assistance programs to help those needed students.   

Do you believe you know enough about your child’s schooling?
Yes, because my daughter, Jocelyn has graduated from U of C last year, and she will continue her study in the Faculty of Education this fall.  I believe that I can help my son to achieve his future academic goals too.

What is the best way for the school to communicate with ESL parents?
The best ways for the school to communicate with ESL parents is by translating the information in English to their respective native languages.  Otherwise, have translators (volunteers) to help out at meetings. Another way is to make an appointment with the families of the ESL students with their teachers, facilitated by a translator.

How do you feel about your child’s classes, ESL and other?
I think the ESL and other classes are alright, however, in my opinion it is sometimes too easy and there is very little homework for my son.

What do you hope school does for children?
I hope the school would provide the children with more English and Math homework every day. Other outdoor activity, like the swimming program, is a very good and healthy program.  Field trips to the communities (i.e. Chinatown, Downtown, Uptown, etc.), City Hall, the zoo, and other businesses (newspapers/publishing, factories, supermarket, malls/stores, etc.), parks, library, arts, performing art centre, science centre, museums (i.e. City archives, military, Heritage Park), historic sites and other visitations are also good for the children to learn more about the City of Calgary.

I encourage the Principals to keep doing those programs annually.

How do you feel about your child participating in after school activities?
I think it is ok for my son to participate in those after school activities, as long as they are healthy for him and his homework is done.

Are there aspects of your culture that the school should know about?
It is good to see that the school should do promote our Chinese culture in the New Year for the past two years.  However, I think each school should provide an opportunity for all students with different culture backgrounds, to learn and participate in different cultures main traditions, such as the New Year celebrations or functions.

What advice would you give new ESL families?
- To encourage them to keep in contact with the school more frequently.
- Let them understand the Canadian/Alberta and the Calgary educational systems.
- Try to understand the local traditions and social activities.
- Always keep up with their English reading, speaking and writing skills.

What advice would you give your child’s teachers?
To provide the students should with more homework in English, Math, Science and Social Studies daily.

What advice would you give the principal?
- The school should have its own badge and an ID card with photo, ID number for each student, volunteer, visitor and staff member to wear with in school.  Renew it each year (it can be done at the same time as picture day in school).

- I don’t know why the school does not hold an award ceremony like we did in the homeland at the end of the school year.  Also, for the Grade 6 graduation ceremony, to present them with graduation certificates and awards. Teachers and volunteer appreciation certificates presentations can be held during the last day in school.  All the parents are invited to attend the ceremony provided with a tea reception.

- I think having students to show their school work to their parents at the teachers and parents conference is too much time consumed, especially to those parents who have appointments after work and do not have time to even eat supper.  In fact, parents really don’t have enough time to sit down to talk with teachers on one-to-one basis in that way.

Instead, I would suggest that the school should have an open-house school exhibit to display the students work on one Saturday, because most parents are working Monday to Friday jobs.

Is there anything you’d like to change about school here?
I hope the Alberta Learning Department and the Calgary Education Board will consider have to make some changes in schools, as follows:

- If the Alberta Government wants to reduce the youth crimes in our society, then the syllabus/curriculum of the Alberta Learning Department should include the moral code, friendship and family value lessons, Canadian/Alberta/Calgary history, the National anthem, and reinstate the Bible studies as an optional course to all students (From K – Grade 12).

- Each student should have extra text books to study in school, as well as to take home.

- Each student should have more English and Math homework daily, because these two subjects are the fundamental skills that they have to know in their daily living.

- For the social and security reasons, each school should have its own badge and an ID card with a photo and ID number for students to wear when they are going to school every day

My Version and Mission to promote the Chinese culture and Calgary Chinatown to all schools' kids in the city

by Paul K.P. Wong

I start my voluntary work - to promote Chinese culture and Calgary Chinatown to all schools' kids - five years ago (in 2003), and I am doing the version and mission by myself quietly.  Let each kind of different ethnic has an opportunity to understand our culture, such as Chinese traditions, Confucius' Teachings, Calligraphy.....  Let the new generation get the chance to know about our community - the community's history, developments, scenery and the taste of our real Chinese food.  I hope it will be a big benefit to our children/grandchildren, Chinatown's business and the mainstream society in the near future without racism happens again.

June 1, 2008

Recreational Courses at CCCC in Chinatown

October 14, 2009
by Paul K.P. Wong

The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre in Chinatown.

The Chinese Culture is one of the oldest, most complex, richest and magnificent cultures in the world, because China has almost 5,000 years of history.

If you admire the Chinese culture, and like the Chinese arts, Chesses, Dances, languages, Martial Arts or sports, the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (CCCC) in Chinatown launches these courses year round. Most of the instructors will speak Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

Currently, they are providing varies courses as following to pursuit the public interest in the leisure:

Arts:
(1) Handcraft-silk Flowers Creation Course (Included Materials)   4 classes
A class: Every Saturday 10:00am – 11:30am
B class: Every Sunday 10:00am – 11:30am

(2) Youth Fine Arts (10 classes).  Every Saturday 1:30pm – 3:00pm

(3) Chinese Calligraphy (8 classes)
A class: Every Saturday 2:00pm – 3:30pm
B class: Every Sunday 2:00pm – 3:30pm

(4) Chinese Traditional Painting (8 classes)
A class: Every Saturday 2:00pm – 3:30pm
B class: Every Wednesday 10:00am – 11:30am

Language:
(1) Mandarin Beginner Level 1 (to be conducted in English) -- 10 classes.  Every Thursday 6:00pm – 8:00pm

(2) Cantonese Beginner (to be conducted in English) -- 10 classes.  Every Monday 6:30pm – 8:30pm

(3) English Conversation Beginner for ESL learners (8 classes). Every Saturday 10:00am – 11:30am

Chinese Dance:
Youth Chinese Dance (10 classes)
A class (Age 4–6): Every Sunday 4:00pm – 5:30pm
B class (Age 11-15): Every Sunday 2:30pm – 4:00pm
C class (Age 7 -10): Every Sunday 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Martial Arts:
(1) Basic Yang Style Tai Chi (12 classes). Every Friday 11:00am – 11:45am

(2) Intermediate Yang Style Tai Chi (12 classes). Every Friday 12:00pm - 12:45pm

(3) 42 Movements of Yang Style Tai Chi (10 classes).  Every Sunday 9:30 – 10:30am

(4) 24 Movements Yang Style Tai Chi (10 classes)
A class: Every Tuesday 11:00am – 12:00pm
B class: Every Wednesday 5:30pm – 6:30pm

(5) Adult Wu Shu (10 classes).  Every Sunday 10:30 am – 11:30am

(6) Youth Wu Shu (10 classes).  Every Friday 6:00pm – 7:00pm

(7) Qigong – Adult Zhineng Health & Wellness Class (8 classes)
A class: Every Saturday 11:00am – 12:00pm
B class: Every Monday 6:00pm – 7:00pm

(8) Wing Chun Kung Fu (8 classes).  Every Thursday 6:30pm – 8:30pm

(9) Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu (10 classes).  Every Tuesday 6:30pm – 8:30pm

(10) Hung Ga Kung Fu (12 classes).  Every Monday 6:30pm – 8:00pm

(11) Mi Zong Luo Han (12 classes)
A class: Every Monday 6:30pm – 8:00pm
B class: Every Thursday 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Sports:
(1) Adult Table Tennis Training Course (10 classes). Every Monday and Wednesday, 11:00am – 12:30pm.

(2) Intermediate Table Tennis (8 classes)
A class: Every Wednesday 6:30pm – 8:00pm
B class: Every Friday 6:00pm – 7:30pm

(3) Youth Table Tennis Training Course (8 classes)
A class: Every Sunday 11:00am – 12:30pm
B class: Every Sunday 1:00pm – 2:30pm
C class: Every Sunday 2:30pm – 4:00pm

(4) Youth (Age 8-12) Badminton Training Course (12 classes)
A class: Every Tuesday 6:30 – 8:30pm
B class: Every Sunday 4:30 – 6:30pm

(5) Youth (Age 13-17) Badminton Training Course (12 classes)
A class: Every Friday 7:30 – 9:30pm
B class: Every Sunday 6:30 – 8:30pm

(6) Adult Badminton Course (10 classes).  Every Thursday 6:30 – 8:30pm

For registration or inquiries, please call: (403)262-5071 or visit their website www.culturalcentre.ca for more details. All above courses are subjected to a fee.

Welcome to subscript the e-magazine “Taiwan Review” for Free

October 10, 2009
by Paul K.P. Wong

The Logo of Taiwan Review

The “Taiwan Review” is a monthly online magazine; to provide in-depth discussion of various aspects of Taiwan today, and to let the English speaking people have a chance to understand more about the current politics, diplomatic, cultural and economic trends in Taiwan. It is also profiling the business, business leaders, social leaders, scientists and artists; tourism, literature and arts, reviewing books that relate to the island; and other special features. The service is also provided by the Government Information Office of Republic of China.

Originally, the e-magazine was launched since April 1, 1951, and under the name “Free China Review”. In April 2000, its name was changed from “Free China Review” to “Taipei Review”; but it was followed by the adoption of the current name in March 2003.

In their pursuit of the objective of increasing mutual understanding between Taiwanese and foreign readers, the publishers have stayed the course. Throughout its history, Taiwan Review has been the journal of record for the socio-economic, political, or artistic developments in Taiwan.

From the beginning, the Monthly’s readers are mostly foreign government and Foreign Service officials, journalists and academics specializing in Sinology. Since January 1995, Taiwan Review has been available online for perusal of students, teachers, academics, journalists and anyone else around the world with Internet connection and interest about what makes Taiwan unique. As the online readership grows, the profile of readers is diversifying; it is also published in Spanish, French, German and Russian.

For people who are interested to know deeper analysis about the updates of Taiwan, please feel free to use the link to receive the free subscription:
http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/site/tr/mp.asp?mp=1

CCECA Seniors’ Lion Dance Team welcomes Calgary schools’ Invitation

October 8, 2009
by Paul K.P. Wong

Grand master Bob Kho.

The Lion Dance is one of the most unique and traditional Chinese arts; it’s often to perform in celebrations or ceremonies, especially in Chinese New Year. The Lion Dance is combined with physical exercise, martial arts, music and cultural arts; it is good for keeping the body healthy and enjoyable.

Starting from October 14, 2009, the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens Association (CCECA) will start a senior “Lion Dance Training” course, the training class will occur once per week.

According to the coordinator Stanley Tse told, they already established a “CCECA Seniors’ Lion Dance” team. The main reason for them to set-up the training class, is because they would like more people who are interested to participate the team for fun and physical exercise. The grand master of the Teck Guan International Gong Fu Federation in Calgary, Master Bob Kho will be the mentor of the team.

Grand master Bob Kho demonstrates the lion dance in front a group of school students.

Tse also acknowledged that the team would like to promote Chinese culture to other groups of people; this is a part of their cultural exchange programs. They are willing to go to any school in Calgary to perform the lion dance show to the students on the weekdays or weekends.

To the interested school that would like to invite the team to perform this traditional Chinese art, please feel free to contact Stanley Tse (403-269-6122, ext. 233) or email: stanley.tse@cceca.ca for the details.

 

A Demonstration to bake the Traditional Chinese Wedding Cake

September 24, 2009
by Paul K.P. Wong

A retired baker from Hong Kong, Mr. Yuk Choi Lee

The Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens Association is always holding a diversity of interesting classes to the public.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, there was a cake baking demonstration: How to Bake the Traditional Chinese Wedding Cake -- “Lo Po Bang”. There were two classes opened to the public. The first class was held at 9:30am, and the second class was held at 1:30pm. The demonstrations were held in the craft room on the 2nd floor of the Centre. After the demonstrations, the learners had a chance to test the flavor of the cake.

“Lo Po Bang” after it was baked.

The instructor, Mr. Yuk Choi Lee is a retired baker in Hong Kong, after he immigrated to Calgary, he uses his baking skills to teach the public voluntary.

The cake is a type of Cantonese popular dim sum, is also popular for the traditional Chinese wedding celebration. According to the legend, the Chinese name of the cake called “Lo Po Bang”, due to the quality of the cake after it was baked, it has a good scent, sweet taste, inside and outside are tender, and the inventor called it “Lo Po Bang”, as its fineness is like a wife’s gentleness.

The subscription of “Taiwan Today” E-Paper is Free

September 22, 2009
by Paul K.P. Wong

The "Taiwan Today" is an online daily newspaper; the service is provided by the Government Information Office of Republic of China (R.O.C.), to let the English speaking people have a chance to know more about the country’s present situation of politics, economy, business, trades, tourism, arts and culture.

Map of Taiwan (Source: Wikipedia)

Montage of the Capital City Taipei, R.O.C. (Source: Wikipedia)

According to the Deputy Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Vancouver, Sophia Chuang said, "Taiwan Today" e-paper is an electronic newspaper, it is dedicated online entity. The e-paper was launched since June 1, 2009. She also acknowledged that it is the only media outlet to take top stories from the island’s mainstream Chinese newspapers, and published in English on the Internet daily.

For people who are interested to know more about the updates of Taiwan, please feel free to use the link to read the free subscription.

For more information...