The Current State and Prospects of Chinese Teaching in the United States

Abstract

Chinese teaching arose in the United States in the 1870s, which was relatively early compared to other regions, but due to issues of politics and funding it was perennially marginalized. Chinese teaching in the United States did not see development until the early 1960s, when it began receiving funding from the U.S. government. Owing to the global political landscape and China’s growing strength, Chinese teaching in the United States has been reshaped: the learning age has grown younger, the learning regions have expanded, and the learning content and teachers have diversified. Chinese teaching in the United States is not a simple matter of education: rather, it is closely bound up with the blending of political and economic development, culture, and ideology. From an educational perspective, China’s Confucius Institute Headquarters and experienced teachers in the United States should work in concert to formulate teaching materials and train qualified teachers to resolve issues related to the sustainable development of Chinese teaching in the United States.

Keywords:

• Chinese teaching
• qualified teachers
• teaching materials
• United States

Notes

In that region, Asian immigrants account for 9.98% of the population (2010 Census).

The term Advanced Placement (AP), which is translated into Chinese as “college elective course,” refers to courses at American high schools supported and authorized by the U.S. College Board. AP classes are equivalent to a college-level class in the United States, and are more intensive, complex and detailed than ordinary high school classes. Students receive credits for passing AP tests, which can be substituted for equivalent credits at an American college.

City University of New York has a total of 26 campuses. It is the largest college system in the United States, with nearly 500,000 enrolled students in total.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ling Luo

Ling Luo is a professor at the City University of New York.