Bridging Language and Culture in the Heart of the Community
Group Photo. Photographer: Francis LeungReport by: Huang Shu Fang – November 15, 2025, Canada
As early winter gently settled over North Toronto on the afternoon of November 15, the Tzu Chi North Toronto Office was filled with warmth, joy, and meaningful connections. The much-anticipated event — Adult Mandarin Program Promotion Tea Party & Mandarin Writing Contest Award Ceremony — brought together nearly 100 guests including government officials, educators, Tzu Chi volunteers, and members of the community. With every seat filled, the vibrant turnout reflected the growing interest in Mandarin learning and cultural appreciation within the Canadian multicultural landscape.
The ceremony began with a solemn “Three Bows” ritual and the singing of O Canada, honoring the spirit of multiculturalism. Organizers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many distinguished guests in attendance, including Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan (Richmond Hill), Councillor Isa Lee (Markham), Trustee Michael Chen (York Region District School Board), Director Paul Lan and Deputy Director Daphne Tsai Feng Hsu of the Culture Centre of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto, and Tim Chuang, President of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Canada. Volunteers from Tzu Chi Canada also graced the occasion, including Deputy Executive Directors Anderson Chu and Mike Wang, Principal Nancy Tseng of Tzu Chi Academy Toronto, as well as Tzu Chi West Toronto Director Susan Wong and Tzu Chi North Toronto Director Teresa Yee.
Director Paul Lan opened the event by sharing the founding mission of the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (TCML) — Tzu Chi Academy North Toronto, established to support learners from all backgrounds in studying Traditional Chinese characters and gaining a deeper understanding of Taiwanese culture. Activities such as traditional arts, folk customs, and cuisine are integrated into language education to promote cultural exchange and heritage appreciation.
Principal Jane Shu-Chen Huang expressed her gratitude to the Overseas Community Affairs Council for designating Tzu Chi Academy North Toronto as the first TCML on Canada's East Coast. Since its founding in 2013, the Academy has laid a solid foundation through its dedication to humanistic education, enabling this expansion into adult language learning.
Another highlight of the afternoon was the award ceremony for the Mandarin Writing Contest, held for the first time on October 25. With a unique “drop-in” format from 10 AM to 3 PM, participants of all ages — from children to adults — were invited to sit and write freely, showcasing the beauty of Traditional Chinese characters and the calming power of handwriting. The event exceeded expectations, drawing families and individuals from across the community. A total of 171 entries were submitted, giving the four judges a rewarding challenge.
Awards were presented by age group, including Preschool, Lower Grades, Middle Grades, Upper Grades, Adult (Chinese heritage), and Adult (Non-Chinese heritage). Young participants impressed with their innocence and creativity, while adults demonstrated elegance and depth in their calligraphy, earning enthusiastic applause.
Among the award winners:
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Preschool: Jaden Ho (1st), Olivia Kuo (2nd), Jasmine Lin (3rd)
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Lower Grades: Shiqi Katie Wang (1st), Anya Yeung (2nd), Hazel Chun (3rd)
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Middle Grades: Aaron Wen (1st), Chloe Yang (2nd), Hsuan-pei (Caelyn) Wu (3rd)
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Upper Grades: Zihan Zhang (1st), Aileen Eng (2nd), Ruo Chen Zhao (3rd)
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Adult – Chinese Heritage: Shu Hui Huang (1st), Grace Chan (2nd), Vivi Chuang (3rd)
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Adult – Non-Chinese Heritage: Jenny Lim (1st), Victor Hernandez (2nd)
As the winners received their certificates and prizes, proud smiles lit up the faces of both participants and their families. Parents noted that the competition helped their children feel more connected to Mandarin while cultivating patience and focus through handwriting. Adult participants shared that the opportunity to write Chinese in Canada rekindled their emotional ties to culture and heritage.
Tzu Chi's commitment to Mandarin education is rooted in its humanistic values — fostering not just language proficiency, but also compassion, character, and cultural respect. Through this event, Tzu Chi offered the public an engaging opportunity to learn about its adult Mandarin programs while building enthusiasm for language learning across generations. One guest, Destiny Kassa, who took two buses to attend, registered on-site for the 2026 Winter Term after hearing the program presentation — a testament to the event’s impact.
The afternoon concluded with refreshments lovingly prepared by volunteers, bringing warmth, joy, and community spirit to a close. With gratitude for all who participated and contributed, the Academy looks forward to welcoming more learners in the shared journey of language and cultural discovery.
Richmond Hill Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan presented a Certificate of Congratulations. Photographer: Francis Leung
Markham Councillor Isa Lee (fourth from the right), on behalf of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, presented a Certificate of Congratulations and took a group photo with distinguished guests and Tzu Chi volunteers from Eastern Canada. Photographer: Francis Leung
Award recipients of the “Expressing Emotions Through Brush and Ink – Mandarin Handwriting Contest” took group photos with the guests to commemorate the occasion. Photographer: Francis Leung 
Director Paul Lan of the Culture Centre, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Toronto delivered remarks and explained the origins and key features of the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (TCML) program. Photographer: Francis Leung
Principal Jane Huang of Tzu Chi Academy North Toronto introduced the January enrollment information for the TCML Adult Mandarin Winter Term. Photographer: Francis Leung 
Award recipients of the “Expressing Emotions Through Brush and Ink – Mandarin Handwriting Contest” went on stage one after another to receive their awards and took group photos with the distinguished guests. Photographer: Francis Leung
Participants took time to carefully appreciate the winning works from each category of the Mandarin Handwriting Contest, experiencing the beauty and cultural richness of Chinese calligraphy. Photographer: Francis Leung 
The venue also featured a display of the teaching materials used in the TCML Adult Mandarin Program—including the Let’s Learn Mandarin textbook—as well as the January Winter Term enrollment poster. Photographer: Francis Leung
Deputy Director Daphne (Tsai-Feng) Hsu of the Culture Centre, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Toronto took a group photo with Tzu Chi volunteers at the entrance of the Tzu Chi North Toronto office. Photographer: Francis Leung