Celebrating AAPI Month: Honoring Heritage, Inspiring Education
Every May, the United States observes Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a dedicated time to celebrate the achievements, cultures, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the fabric of American society. For American educators, especially those teaching Asian languages in middle schools, high schools, and colleges, this month offers a powerful opportunity to go beyond vocabulary and grammar, diving into the vibrant histories and stories that have shaped today’s AAPI communities.
Why AAPI Month Matters
The AAPI community represents over 30 countries and ethnic groups, encompassing various languages, religions, and cultural traditions. From the Chinese laborers who helped build the transcontinental railroad, to Japanese American internment survivors, to contemporary trailblazers in technology, arts, and politics—AAPI contributions have played a critical role in shaping American history. Yet these stories are often marginalized in mainstream education.
AAPI Month helps correct that imbalance. It invites schools and communities to reflect on identity, migration, and resilience complexities. For students—especially those from AAPI backgrounds—representation in the curriculum validates their experiences and fosters pride in their heritage. For others, it opens a window into the richness of the AAPI experience and contributions to American society, combating stereotypes and building a sense of togetherness.
Our recognition of Asian American and Pasifika communities shouldn’t end with this month—it deserves to be woven into everything we do, all year long.
The Role of Asian-Language Educators
Educators who teach Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hindi, or other Asian languages are uniquely positioned to deepen the impact of AAPI Month. Language is inseparable from culture—and when students connect linguistic study with real-world stories and cultural practices, learning becomes more meaningful.
Here are some creative ways Asian-language educators can integrate AAPI Month into their curriculum:
1. Introduce Personal Stories and Oral Histories
Have students explore first-hand accounts from AAPI individuals in translation or the target language. For example, teachers might share stories of Korean American immigrants from the early 20th century or excerpts from memoirs like Farewell to Manzanar not only in their and other world language classes, but also in their colleagues’ American history classes.
Class Assignment idea: Ask students to interview a local AAPI community member or family member (if they’re comfortable with it) and present a short oral report or video in English (American history class) or in the target language (language class). This fosters both language practice and cultural empathy.
2. Celebrate AAPI Artists and Creatives
Incorporate poetry, music, or film created by AAPI individuals into lessons. For example:
- Study Japanese American poet Lawson Fusao Inada in Japanese classes.
- Analyze the bilingual lyrics of BTS or Filipino American artist Olivia Rodrigo in Korean or Tagalog classes.
- Watch a film by an Asian American director, such as Ang Lee*, and discuss themes using newly learned vocabulary.
This approach shows students that the language and culture they’re studying isn’t just used “over there”—it’s alive and evolving in their own communities.
3. Host a Cultural Showcase Create opportunities for students to present projects or perform during a school-wide AAPI Month celebration. This could emphasize skits, songs, entertainment,, or food demonstrations that connect language learning to lived experiences in today’s AAPI homes and communities.
Collaborating with other departments, such as history or art, you can also create interdisciplinary learning moments and build school-wide awareness.
4. Discuss Stereotypes and Media Representation
Language classrooms can be safe for discussing stereotypes, racism, and media representation among all the students and not just the AAPI students. For older students, analyzing how AAPI individuals are portrayed in popular media or news can lead to rich discussions on identity and bias.
For example, a Korean language teacher might guide students through discussing K-drama portrayals of family life versus American perceptions. A Chinese language class might explore how Chinese Americans are depicted in Western cinema versus in Chinese-language films.
Looking Ahead
AAPI Month is more than a celebration—an invitation to reflect, connect, and elevate voices that deserve recognition. For language educators, it’s a call to reimagine their curriculum not just as a path to fluency but as a bridge to cultural understanding and community engagement.
By incorporating stories, media, art, and personal connections, educators empower students to see language and culture in their many forms as a living, breathing expression of identity. In doing so, they not only honor AAPI heritage but also help shape the next generation of culturally literate, empathetic world citizens.
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Looking for materials featuring AAPI celebrities? Check out our Chinese Biographies featuring Ang Lee, Jeremy Lin, and Vera Wang.
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