The Center for International Understanding is developing the nation’s first state network of Confucius Classrooms over the next three years.
North Carolina Confucius Classrooms. In partnership with the Chinese Education Ministry, the Center for International Understanding will develop the nation’s first state network of Confucius Classrooms over the next three years. In April 2010, North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue announced the launch of these Chinese culture and language programs as a major effort to provide students the skills they need to “compete effectively and work globally” in the 21st century.
In Year 1 (the 2010/2011 academic year) the Center is coordinating Confucius Classrooms in 16 North Carolina schools. These schools from both urban and rural areas represent geographic, economic and demographic diversity. Confucius Classrooms will provide students the opportunity to study Mandarin Chinese, learn about Chinese culture and history, and to share their own culture and history with Chinese students through school-to-school partnerships.
North Carolina schools selected to participate will:
• Host a qualified Chinese language teacher from China for three years with salary subsidies from the program
• Send school principals and teachers to China to learn about its culture, history, and education system
• Develop a partnership with a school in China, through which students in both countries will practice their language skills, collaborate on shared projects, and exchange teachers and possibly students in regular visits
• Engage teachers in yearly professional development opportunities, focused on improving language instruction
• Receive technical and academic support from the Center’s team of education experts
Participating schools will have a demonstrated commitment to global education. By “clustering” the programs within select school districts, students can progress from school to school with continued opportunities to advance their proficiency in Chinese.
PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO: To view a short video of Governor Perdue Announcing North Carolina Confucius Classrooms, please click the Play arrow in the box below:
For more information on North Carolina Confucius Classrooms, click here.
