Chinese Language Course Added
A new course, beginning this fall, will give students the opportunity to study Chinese language and culture. "Global Studies 111: Beginning Chinese" will be taught by Dr. Xueqi Zeng, associate professor of mathematics and a native of Beijing. Assisting Zeng will be Chun-Hui Chuang, a native of Taiwan and a specialist in language learning who will come to Concordia via a grant from the ALLEX Foundation .
This first course in a two-part sequence is designed to introduce students to the skills needed for proficiency in the language and culture of Mandarin China. The class will be taught in a language-lab setting combining both oral and written communication skills. Concordia expects to offer the next course in the Chinese sequence, 112, during the second semester.
The rationale behind the course includes not only introducing Concordia students to the language, but also the business, trade, diplomacy and travel that China has to offer.
Zeng is looking forward to not only engaging students in her native language, but reflecting on her own heritage.
"I am excited about teaching this course because this is a new experience for me," Zeng said. "I also know it is a universal trend to learn Chinese, which is a language used by at least 25 percent of the world population."
Dr. Mark Krejci, Concordia dean and vice president for Academic Affairs, believes that the impact of China on the United States and the rest of the global community is reflected in Concordia Language Villages' programming as well as the classroom.
"By adding instruction on campus," Krejci said, "we are affirming our commitment to our students' global fluency as a leader in international education."
This new course offering follows a partnership between Concordia and the United International College in Zhuhai, China. In March, Concordia was one of five institutions in the Minnesota Private College Council to examine the feasibility of the partnership that began an exchange program for students and faculty.
Concordia has offered Chinese language instruction for youth at Concordia Language Villages since opening Sen Lin Hu, the Chinese Language Village, in 1984.
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This first course in a two-part sequence is designed to introduce students to the skills needed for proficiency in the language and culture of Mandarin China. The class will be taught in a language-lab setting combining both oral and written communication skills. Concordia expects to offer the next course in the Chinese sequence, 112, during the second semester.
The rationale behind the course includes not only introducing Concordia students to the language, but also the business, trade, diplomacy and travel that China has to offer.
Zeng is looking forward to not only engaging students in her native language, but reflecting on her own heritage.
"I am excited about teaching this course because this is a new experience for me," Zeng said. "I also know it is a universal trend to learn Chinese, which is a language used by at least 25 percent of the world population."
Dr. Mark Krejci, Concordia dean and vice president for Academic Affairs, believes that the impact of China on the United States and the rest of the global community is reflected in Concordia Language Villages' programming as well as the classroom.
"By adding instruction on campus," Krejci said, "we are affirming our commitment to our students' global fluency as a leader in international education."
This new course offering follows a partnership between Concordia and the United International College in Zhuhai, China. In March, Concordia was one of five institutions in the Minnesota Private College Council to examine the feasibility of the partnership that began an exchange program for students and faculty.
Concordia has offered Chinese language instruction for youth at Concordia Language Villages since opening Sen Lin Hu, the Chinese Language Village, in 1984.
- Back to eNews