March 5, 2024
Congratulations are in order! Teaching Associate Professor Luoyi has earned a Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.
Professor Cai has a very deep commitment to authenticity in language teaching. She is caring, generous, flexible, enthusiastic like all good teachers. But her authentic materials and authentic teaching are what make her stand out. The challenge in language instruction is to move beyond repetitious formulas where students simply memorize and repeat. In her classes, students develop a relationship with the culture, not just the language. Professor Cai has partnered with universities in China through COIL so her students can work with Chinese instructors and students. Encouraging students to move beyond rote memorization, she creates connections that are lasting rather than transient because they form a relationship with the subject. She creates a learning environment that gives students a reason to take the next steps like applying to study abroad.
— the 2024 University Teaching Awards, on Professor Cai
We are deeply appreciative of and privileged to see Professor Cai’s tireless efforts here in DAMES.