On Friday, September 28, Columbia University is hosting a one-day
Symposium on the role of university level Chinese language BA and
MA programs in preparing teachers to fill the enormous demand for
teachers at the K-12 level. All college level programs in Chinese
and/or departments of Asian studies are urged to send a
representative to the meeting.
Chinese language programs in the colleges of arts and sciences have not
historically been concerned with preparing students who can teach at the
pre-collegiate level. Moreover, liberal arts departments of Chinese
language and departments and colleges of education have historically seen
their missions on their campuses as separate. In the case of Chinese
language, however, collaboration between these two entities in structuring
programs is crucial.
There is a national need for language departments to help.
Self-interest dictates that language departments become involved in
contributing to the quality of education of students who will soon enroll
in their courses. Most of these students will be non-native speakers with
4-12 years of Chinese language instruction at the pre-college level.