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After a brief summer break, the international education
newsletter has returned. As always, if you have
international education initiatives that are of interest to
leaders throughout the country, please send them to:
hsingmaster@asiasociety.org
| Creating a Chinese Language Program in Your School: An Introductory Guide |
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While most American schools continue to teach Western
languages like Spanish, French and German, many
students, parents and communities are now looking to
Chinese as a way to prepare for life and work in an
interconnected world. Released in June, Creating a
Chinese Language Program in Your School: An
Introductory Guide, is a handbook which provides
practical information to schools and districts on how to
plan, launch and sustain new programs in Chinese
language and culture. Intended for school
administrators, parents, school board members, and
community leaders, this publication addresses a range
of issues relevant to schools and districts considering
offering Chinese, including launching a planning process,
selecting teachers, developing the curriculum and
forging partnerships with local Chinese-language
communities. For information and to order a copy, visit
http://www.askasia.org/chinese/publications.htm
Chinese Language Guide »
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| Asia Society Announces Executive Director of Chinese Language Initiatives |
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Asia Society is also pleased to announce that as of
October 10, Shuhan Wang, Co-Chair and co-author of
the Creating a Chinese Language Program guide,
will serve as Executive Director of Chinese Language
Initiatives, Asia Society. Shuhan has long been involved
in international education initiatives as part of Asia
Society's network of states involved in IE and through
her role as Education Associate for World Languages in
the Delaware Department of Education.
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| New Directions in International Education (States Institute Announcement and more) |
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Interest in international education is spreading across
the country. Organizations like National Governors
Association (NGA), Council of Chief State School
Officers (CCSSO) and Broad Foundation, among others,
are beginning to bring attention to the topic. With
movement on many fronts, this year there will not be a
States Institute on International Education in the
Schools. We will keep you updated on happenings
around the country so you can stay involved. Here is a
recap of what happened this summer as well as an
update on future events:
CCSSO focused their annual Summer Institute for state
commissioners of education on Global Education. Held in
July, delegates heard presentations on global
understanding and world language acquisition, math and
science, global competiviness and more. CCSSO will
soon announce follow-up initiatives.
At the annual meeting of The National Governors
Association this summer, new President, Arizona
Governor Janet Napolitano unveiled the initiative for her
presidency: Innovation America. "To be
competitive as a nation, we must prepare our young
people to meet the real demands of the job market,"
said Gov. Napolitano. Asia Society will be working with
the NGA to make global literacy a part of this initiative.
The US Department of Education has announced that
November 13-17 will be the 2006 International
Education Week. A new website tracks IE Week events
across the country. Be sure to submit yours:
http://iew.state.gov/
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| Grants and Opportunities |
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China Study Tour: Dr. John Major, a renowned
Asia scholar, will lead participants on a trip investigating
four contemporary themes through the country's
landscapes and literature: Global China, Diverse China,
Developing China, and Changing China. Asia Society
invites qualified middle and high school humanities,
foreign language, or area studies teachers in Asia
Society's International Studies Schools Network and at
urban, public international studies secondary schools
nationwide to apply for the 2007 China Study Tour:
China through Landscapes and Literature, to take place
July 6 - August 4th (dates subject to change). The
application deadline is January 8, 2007. For more
information, please visit
www.AskAsia.org/teachers/teachasia
Language Resource Center Grant Competition:
The US Department of Education has announced a
competition for Institutions of Higher Education to
create a Language Resource Center. Applications are
due October 18, 2006. For more information:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpslrc/index.html
Costa Rica Study Tour: Toyota International
Teacher Program has announced a 10-day study tour to
Costa Rica for teachers from Arizona, California, Florida,
Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas
and Wisconsin in March 2007. Applications are due by
October 9:
www.iie.org/Template.cfm&Template=/programs/toyota/
default.htm
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| The Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes for Excellence in International Education |
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The Goldman Sachs Foundation and Asia Society
announce the fourth Excellence in International
Education prize program. This year a new youth prize
will be added to promote the international knowledge
and skills that have become an essential prerequisite for
engaged and competitive citizenship in a global age.
High school students from across the country will be
eligible to participate in the program. Five students who
demonstrate an in-depth understanding of key issues in
international affairs and the global economy will receive
a $5,000 scholarship prize each. Selected by an
independent judging panel, the student winners will
receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City in
early December where they will be recognized at Asia
Society's Gala Annual Dinner. Deadline for entry for the
youth category is October 23, 2006. To have your
students apply, visit www.InternationalEd.org/prizes to
find additional information, including background
resources on topics and formats, contest rules and
judging criteria.
The youth prize will become part of the annual
Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes for Excellence in
International Education, which were created in 2003 to
raise awareness of the growing importance of
international knowledge and skills for U.S. students. In
addition to prizes totaling $25,000 for the youth
winners, four additional prizes of $25,000 each will be
awarded to schools, states, and media/technology
groups that are bringing the world into America's
classrooms. These prizes will recognize creative and
effective programs and leaders who are integrating
intellectually rigorous international content into schools,
fostering effective teaching and learning of world
languages, and bringing the world to America's youth in
exciting new ways through the use of media and
technology. The deadline for applications in these
categories is: January 12, 2007.
GSF Prizes
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