Visiting scholars and exchange teachers from China will be teaching Chinese language and culture in the regions schools and conducting research.
The St. Cloud State University Confucius Institute welcomes 18 visiting scholars, exchange teachers and students from China this year.
All 18 are heading to student teaching experiences or to conduct research or Chinese language and culture programs in schools throughout the region this fall.
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The seven visiting exchange students from Changchun Normal University are completing their student teaching experiences in Minnetonka Public Schools and Lakes International Lakes Academy in Forest Lake. They will be teaching Chinese art, music and physical education in a pilot student teaching program during the fall semester.
The students are self-funded and are staying with host families in the communities where they are teaching.
The remaining visiting scholars and students are sponsored through Hanban, an institution affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education. The institution supports the teaching of the Chinese language and culture worldwide.
They will assist with research projects or teaching Chinese language and culture programs at eight schools in Minnesota and North Dakota including:
- Lakes International Language Academy
- St. Cloud School District
- Sauk Rapids-Rice School District
- St. John’s Prep
- Cathedral High School
- West Fargo Schools
- St. Cloud State
The Hanban group includes both experienced teachers and exchange students. The exchange students will all be co-teaching Chinese with U.S. teachers.
In addition to the 18 arriving students, scholars and exchange teachers, there are four returning Hanban scholars, including Confucius Institute Co-Director and Professor Zhou Lixin, Confucius Institute translator, interpreter and Chinese language tutor Li Yao and elementary teachers Qian Zhang and Wei Wang.
The Confucius Institute is focused on supporting Chinese immersion programs in Minnesota.
