BA (Hons), MA
.jpg )
Instructor, Chinese
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities
Chinese
604.986.1911 ext. 2423
Fir Building, room FR 452
tchow@capilanou.ca
Education
MA, Department of Political Science: International Trade Relations between Canada, China and Japan, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2003.
BA (Honours), English Department (English Major, Chinese Minor), Beijing Foreign Languages University, Beijing, China, 1983.
IB Full Diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB), United World Colleges of Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, Victoria, BC, Canada, 1982.
"Student achievement is the focus of my teaching. It is important that they feel they have gained from my classes. They have my full support wherever learning the Chinese language can lead them."
Bio
Tong Zhang Chow (MA, Simon Fraser University, 2003) is a Chinese language specialist whose main research focuses on comparative usage of Mandarin Chinese and English in the applied field of professional English-Chinese translation, cross-cultural communication between the East and the West, and bilateral trade relations between Canada and China.
After receiving degrees from Simon Fraser University, Beijing Foreign Languages University and the United World Colleges of Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, Chow taught for the Advanced Interpreter Education program at Simon Fraser University from 1986 to 1994. She has taught Mandarin Chinese for Modern Languages Institute at the University of British Columbia from 1988 to 2018. She was also a sessional Chinese Instructor for Modern Languages Department at Douglas College from 1998 to 2009. Chow has been a Chinese Instructor at Capilano University for the Languages and Linguistics department from 1998 to present, and served as Coordinator from 2016 to 2018. She also taught Business Chinese for the McRae Institute and Interdisciplinary Studies at CapU. Tong made the following contribution to Capilano University:
- Designed CHIN250 Chinese Culture and Society (China Field School), approved by Senate on February 3, 2026
- Acting as a faculty member of the Steering Committee for the grant of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for Capilano University (since 2024 to current)
- Re-designed and taught INTS 110 course: Making Change: Regional Research and Action” since January 2022 to Spring 2025, and making it a sustainable course for students of B.Sc.
- Successfully undertook Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for Chinese 100 and 101 courses in 2022-2025
- Successfully launched and implemented the Ignition Hub (iHub) as Co-Lead (2022-2024)
- Selected as candidate for the Canada Ideas Lab under the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) under The Associate Vice President of Creative Activity, Research and Scholarship (CARS) in 2020-2021.
Chow is a professional English-Chinese translator accredited to The Department of Secretary of State of Canada. She has interpreted for world leaders, multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions. Her interpretation highlights include the APEC Summit in Vancouver, Asia Pacific Foundation, BC Province, the Bill Gates Foundation, Canada China Business Council, Teck Resources, UBC, Vancouver Economic Commission and world Young Presidents Organization (YPO).
Chow has been an Examiner Responsible for Chinese for the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) since 1996, setting IB examination papers, standardizing assessment criteria and providing final grade boundaries. She is on the IB global school authorization team approving applications. She initiated the first IB Global Chinese teacher training workshop in Melbourne in 1997 and has led 70 IB global Chinese workshops.
Chow was the keynote speaker for the international education forum at Jade Bird Education of Beijing University with more than 150,000 online viewers for her presentation of International Mindedness in International Education in September 2018. She also was one of the key presenters for The IB Global Conference at Washington DC (2024) and at San Diego, US (2022).
As a Chinese language specialist, I enjoy discussing the formation of this ancient language, its origin, its picture-phonic formation and particularly its cultural background relating to the usage of words and concepts.
As I lecture on the comparative language usage between English and Chinese, I find it fascinating how human beings have evolved their own ways of communicating through dramatically different verbal expressions, yet are able to cross the language barrier and understand each other through translation.
I value how language has been the key to social evolution. With new technology, I am keenly interested in what communication tools such as AI play a part as humans interact with one another on the learning path.
My research has focused mainly on the interaction between learners of Chinese in the West, particularly in Canada, with people of the Chinese-speaking world.
I have two primary areas of interest, one being the language side on how best to acquire Chinese using English explanation and the other being the practice of trade relations between Canada and China using Chinese and English translation for effective communication.
I am starting the research and design of my first Chinese textbook for learners in university, secondary school, IB schools and the general public globally. I am planning to work on my first Chinese textbook as teaching materials with comparative methods of English and Chinese translation in print and online. Since 1996, I have designed Chinese exams and teaching materials for learners of Chinese for both Capilano University and the IB Diploma Program (DP) globally. I have been approached by publishers for my research papers, teaching and examination materials for publishing.
I have researched and presented for:
- The 2025 Conference of Canadian Association of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL), titled: “The New Age of Teaching and Learning Chinese – AI and The Future”, Crofton House School, Vancouver, BC, May 3, 2025.
- The Teaching and Learning Symposium of Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE), titled: ”Inspiring Learners – Leadership in Innovative Language Acquisition Technology with Cross Cultural Communication”, Capilano University, May 1, 2025.
- The First Faculty Research Symposium of Creative Activity, Research and Scholarship (CARS), titled: “Confucius and Daoist Thoughts and The Impact on Society”, Capilano University, April 25, 2025.
- The IB Global Conference, 2024, Washington DC, US – Inspiring Learners, Realizing Potential, with my session titled “Leadership in innovative language acquisition technology with cross cultural communication”, July 25-28, 2024.
- The IB Global Conference, 2022, San Diego, US – Embracing innovation, Inspiring Action, with my Session titled: “Leaps in Educational Technology and Innovation - Forward Thinking Leadership and Professionalism”, July 16-19, 2022.
- The First International Teachers Forum, Jade Bird Education Group of Beijing University, with my Key-note speech on “International Mindedness in International Education” , Jiaxing, China in September 2018, with 150,000+ online views.
- The 1st IB Chinese Teacher Training Workshop in Melbourne, Australia in 1997; and have since led more than 70 IB workshops globally; participated in IB school authorization site visits in North America since 2009.
Paper and Speech published for IB Global Teacher Training Workshops and Symposiums:
Chow, Tong. Assessment versus Teaching in International Baccalaureate Domain, IB Teacher Training Workshop, Seattle, WA, USA, 2017.
Chow, Tong, Teaching and Learning Chinese as a Second Language, Centre for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE), Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 2016.
Chow, Tong. Global Teaching with Open-mindedness in Language Acquisition, IB Teacher Training Workshop, New York, USA, 2015.
Chow, Tong. The Cycle of IB Language B Assessment and Curriculum Design, IB Teacher Training Workshop, Singapore, 2014.
Chow, Tong. Comparative Methods Using English and Chinese Translation for Language Teaching, IB Teacher Training Workshop, Los Angeles, USA, 2013.
Chow, Tong. Standardization of IB Assessment and Curriculum Design of Language Acquisition, Keynote Speech for Association of Chinese and Mongolian International Schools (ACAMIS) Teachers Symposium, Shanghai, China, 2012.
Chow, Tong. The East Meets the West in the World of Language Teaching and Learning, IB Teacher Training Workshop, Hong Kong, 2011.
Chow, Tong. International Teaching in a Changing World, Keynote Speech for Global International Education Forum, Vancouver, B.C., 2010.
Chow, Tong. Theory and Practice of International Assessment Standard for Language B Learners, Keynote Speech for International Education Teachers Symposium, Qingdao, China, 2008.
Chow, Tong. Integration of Classroom Teaching with Hands-on Practices in Second Language Teaching, IB Teacher Training Workshop, Sydney, Australia, 2007.
Chow, Tong. Effective Teaching and Learning Approaches in Language Acquisition, Keynote Speech for Association of Chinese and Mongolian International Schools (ACAMIS) Teachers Symposium, Beijing, China, 2007.
Chow, Tong. Principal Chinese Examiner for The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) from 1996 to current; designed and wrote 10 year IB Global Chinese examination papers – IB internal publication (1996-2006).
Chow, Tong. Cross Cultural Communication Is the Key to Success in International Education, Keynote Speech for Association of Chinese and Mongolian International Schools (ACAMIS) Teachers Symposium, Shanghai, China, 2006.
Chow, Tong. Past, Present and Future of Chinese Examination in International Baccalaureate Organization, Keynote speech for International Education Symposium, Suzhou Singapore School, China, 2005.
Chow, Tong. Interactive Mode versus Rote Memorization in Language Learning, IB Teacher Training Workshop, Kobe, Japan, 2003.
Chow, Tong. How to Integrate Communicative Approach into Traditional Learning Method in Chinese Teaching, International Education Forum, Hong Kong, 1999.
Chow, Tong. What Makes the Difference between International Baccalaureate Examination and Regional Examination, IB Teacher Training Workshop, Melbourne, Australia, 1997.
Recipient, Teaching Excellence Award, Capilano University, 2026.
Recipient of Capilano University United #5 Grant to lead students to conduct the research project on:
- “Confucius and Daoist Thoughts and The Impact on Human Mind” (2021-2022)
Member, Canada China Business Council, 2018 - 2020.
Maple Leaf Award, Excellence in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language in Canada for over 30 years, awarded by the Ministry of Education of China - Chinese Language Office in Canada, 2016.
Accredited Member, English-Chinese Translator to the Secretary of State of Canada in Ottawa, 1997.
Examiner of Court Interpreter (English-Chinese), Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia, 1990.