The “Chinese Bridge for Foreign Schools” is an initiative launched by Hanban for educational officials and principals from foreign primary and secondary schools which have opened or intend to open Chinese courses, aiming to improve their understanding of China and encourage the growth of Chinese language programs in their schools. The delegates will visit primary and secondary schools in different provinces, learn about Chinese society, and meet with Chinese educators.
The program helps the foreign delegates get a new profound understanding of China’s society and economy as well as Chinese language, culture and education. Their witnessing Chinese people’s enthusiasm and China’s opening-up and the modernization lays a very solid foundation for their cooperation in education and culture with China in the future, and plays a positive role in giving them confidence in cooperating with Chinese schools, promoting Chinese education in foreign schools and enhancing friendship between people of different countries.
The delegation provides an opportunity to:
- Visit schools and meet with Chinese educators and students
- Participate in partnership-building workshops and networking sessions
- Learn from presentations about successful models and available resources
- Share experiences with U.S. and Chinese educators
- Visit cultural sites in Beijing and other cities
- Learn firsthand about a country that is rapidly changing and rising on the global stage
2011 Program Information
Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters is pleased to announce the 2011 Chinese Bridge for American Schools: a week-long program in China for educators to start and strengthen their institution’s Chinese programs and partnerships. School and district leaders are invited to attend this unique, educational trip to China as guests of Hanban (Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters).
The activities and itinerary of this program are tailored especially to the needs of schools and districts who are planning to start new Chinese programs and/or expanding existing Chinese language and culture programs. The focus of this trip will be on collecting knowledge about the culture, society and education system of China and partnership-building activities, school visits and educational workshops. Participants will learn how to start, strengthen and expand their program, make connections with other educators, and gather valuable resources.
Date: June 16 to 29, 2011
Eligibility:
- District and state leaders, principals, and other decision-makers with oversight of foreign language learning.
- District and school leaders from institutions committed to establishing and/ or expanding new Chinese language and culture programs in their schools/districts, and who haven’t participated in Chinese Bridge delegations in 2006-2010.
- Educators from institutions planning to expand their existing Chinese programs by building ties with Chinese schools are encouraged to apply (though selection priority will be given to applicants from institutions without existing programs).
- Multiple applicants from the same institution will be considered. Each applicant is required to submit an individual application.
*All applications are subject to individual review and approval and compliance with applicable laws.
Cost to delegates: The UHM Confucius Institute will cover the individual round-trip international airfare from U.S. to China as well as their Chinese tourist visa fee for each participating principal/administrator. The Confucius Headquarters (Hanban) will cover all travel cost in China, including hotel accommodations, group meals, tour guides and admission tickets, and local and inter-city transportation costs. Delegates are responsible for costs and arrangements related to domestic travel to a designated U.S. departure hub, and optional travel insurance.
Passport: Delegates are required to have a valid passport with at least six (6) months validity from the date of departure (i.e. with an expiration date of January 1, 2012 or later). Proof of a valid passport will be required to confirm participation of selected applicants.
Mail Application packet to:
Qikeng Li – UHM Confucius Institute
1890 East West Rd. Moore Hall 417
Honolulu, HI 96822
Office: (808) 944-7256
Fax: (808) 956-2682
[email protected]
2010 Hawaii delegation PowerPoint presentation (download)