On the morning of June 25, the Beijing Confucius Institute Headquarters welcomed a group of special guests—450 primary school and middle school principals and education officials from over 30 states in the US, who came to participate in the "Chinese Language Bridge—US Primary School and Middle School Principals' Visit to China" cultural exchange program organized by the Office of Chinese Language Council International (known as "Hanban" for short).
In April 2006, when President Hu Jintao visited the United States, Hanban and the US College Board signed a cooperative agreement to carry out the "Chinese Language and Culture Program." An important part of this program consists of visits by US primary school and middle school principals to China. It is also the largest education exchange program between China and a foreign country. This year is the third year in which US primary school and middle school principals have visited China.
Astonishment during the first visit to China
The composition of the visiting group this time shows the high level of importance attributed to this program by the US. Not only does the group include several high ranking Vice Presidents of the College Board, but officials from education superintendence departments and principals of primary schools and middle schools as well; furthermore, the size of the group is very large. Many primary school and middle school principals and education officials are visiting China for the first time, and when asked about their impression of China, their answers mostly consist of the exclamation "Wow." They perceive China as very modern and Chinese people as very warm and hospitable. Mr. Robert B. Johnson, principal of Winder-Barrow High School in Georgia, said that Beijing left him with a very deep impression, and he very much looks forward to visiting primary schools and middle schools in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.
The principals got an in-depth look at the Confucius Institute Global Promotional Exhibit and the Chinese Culture Exhibit, asking the exhibit personnel about many details. Some who were rather youthful at heart put on the Chinese traditional clothing prepared for visitors, posed in a fashion they thought looked the "most Chinese," and asked their companions to take pictures of them as memorabilia.
It is planned that after participating in the welcoming ceremony and a simple sightseeing tour in Beijing, the visitors will be split into 13 smaller groups to visit Shanghai, Tianjin, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Hunan, Hubei, and other places, and will have thorough exchanges in their designated area.
Parents place high value on their children's Chinese language education
According to the "Chinese Language and Culture Program" cooperative agreement, Hanban and the US College Board will develop an AP Chinese language curriculum and exam. In the US, AP courses are an important element in the selection of high school students in the college admissions process. In 2007, The US College Board authorized 149 high schools to establish an AP Chinese course. It is estimated that this year, the number of schools offering AP Chinese language classes will reach 170. In May 2007, an AP Chinese language exam was held for the first time, and it was taken by over 3000 students from 433 schools in 35 states. 84.8% of these students are not native speakers of Chinese.
More and more Americans are recognizing China's importance and hope their children can come into contact with Chinese language and culture starting from a young age. Bernadette Catherine Dunne is the chairman of the board of education of public schools in Yonkers, New York, a professor at Manhattan College, and the president of the American High School Gifted Program. She said, "New York is an international city, and parents all know the pace of China's development; they also deeply understand the importance of fostering talented individuals with high Chinese language ability." In her experience as a principal at the primary school and middle school level, she pressed for the expansion of Chinese language education. She hopes that by next June, a Chinese language curriculum will become part of the American High School Gifted Program; in the not-too-far-off future, she hopes there will be an international Chinese language curriculum.
Primary school students are very happy in Chinese class
In order for children to take the AP Chinese language exam in high school, they must begin learning Chinese in primary school. The primary school principals participating in this activity believe they must begin Chinese classes as early and as soon as possible at their schools. Those who have already begun Chinese classes at their schools hope to hold dialogue with China about teaching experience and knowledge. Janis Hanwell is a central office education administrator in Delaware. Her school district has four primary schools that have started Chinese language classes, which are attended by 400 primary school students. The teachers sent there by Hanban have rich teaching experience, and they quickly adapt their teaching methods and content to accommodate their students. Students in the lower grades are taught mostly based on their interests so that they are enthusiastic about studying. Teachers teach them how to sing Chinese songs, and once the children go home, the first thing they do is show off their skills to their parents. To encourage the children to practice Chinese often, many facilities in schools with Chinese language classes are marked with both Chinese and English lettering. She said, "Even though we aren't located in a bustling city, many parents think it's very important for their children to study Chinese starting in primary school so that they can adapt to the diversity of a big city and an environment of globalization."
From 2006 to 2007, Hanban sent 105 volunteer teachers to work with 48 districts and 26 schools in 30 states, but they still could not meet the demand of American schools. Hanban has decided to increase the number of volunteer teachers it sends out every year; this year it selected 138 teachers who are now already in the US.
Middle school students think it's cool to study Chinese
American middle school students are a very unique group. From the untiring efforts of American middle school principals and education officials, more and more middle school students are choosing to study Chinese as their foreign language.
Mr. Peter J. DeRubeis, principal of Oak Creek East Middle School in Wisconsin, said during an interview that China's opening up and development have become the focus of the world's attention, and the purpose of starting Chinese language classes in his school is for the students' future, aiming to build a platform for students to understand China and Chinese culture. Before each Chinese class begins, the school will give parents and children a "shot:" Chinese is very difficult as well as unique. Although students are very interested in Chinese, they admit that it is very hard, but when they compare studying Chinese with studying French, German, or other languages, they think Chinese is very cool, something they can show off.
The leader of the group of American representatives and the Vice President of the US College Board Peter Negroni explained that at present, there are already over 1000 American primary schools and middle schools that have begun Chinese language classes, and over 130,000 students are studying Chinese. Among foreign languages taught in American schools, Chinese is growing the fastest.
Director of Hanban Xu Lin said that "US Primary and Middle School Principals' Visit to China" allows American representatives to have a completely new and deep understanding of Chinese society, economy, and cultural development, as they can see, listen, and feel firsthand the warmth of the Chinese people and the openness and modernity of Chinese society. This is a wonderful foundation for the development of Chinese educational culture exchange and strengthening confidence in partnerships with Chinese schools.
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