Chinese Language and International Education Initiatives on the Rise

The past several months have seen a sharp increase in Chinese language and international education initiatives in the state of Ohio. To set the stage for 2007, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and The Ohio State University (OSU) Chinese Flagship Program co-sponsored a symposium entitled Making the Global Connection: Linking Students and China in the 21st Century at the conclusion of 2006. More than 200 educators from more than 100 school districts gathered on the OSU campus to learn about state and national Chinese language initiatives during the day-long event. Also in attendance were members of the Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS).  

The general session in the morning featured the following topics and speakers: 

• Making the Global Connection
  
• Why Ohio?
  Robert Slater, director, National Security Education Program
  
• Advocacy for Chinese Programming and Overview of Ohio Initiatives
  Debbie Robinson, world languages consultant, ODE
  
• K-12 Chinese for Ohio Schools
  Galal Walker, director, K-12 Chinese Flagship Program and National East Asian Languages Resource Center, OSU
  
• Global Knowledge Exchange Programs
  Ron Fortunato, Global Knowledge Exchange
  
• K-12 Technology Connections
  James Chang, CEO, Global Knowledge Exchange
  
• AP Chinese and Visiting Teacher Programs
  Selena Cantor, director, Chinese Language and Culture Initiatives, The College Board

 Symposium participants gained more in-depth knowledge of programs and initiatives during afternoon breakout sessions.  

“Attendance at the event exceeded all expectations,” said Ryan Wertz, ODE world languages consultant. “I think the fact that such a wide range of communities was represented is a sign that leaders in Ohio’s schools are recognizing the opportunities and challenges posed by a globalizing economy.”  

“Many people at the conference were clearly thinking about their students’ futures in the world beyond the walls of the schoolhouse,” said Eric Calvert, ODE’s assistant director for international education. “There is a growing realization that being able to communicate with people from other countries and cultures will be an essential skill for Ohioans in the 21^st century.” 

Galal Walker indicated that the follow-up from the symposium was keeping OSU very busy. “The interest in Chinese language and culture extends far beyond this meeting,” he said. 

A follow-up symposium is already in the early planning stages and is tentatively slated to take place in late 2007.  

Other initiatives in Ohio related to Chinese language and culture include: 

Ohio was one of four states to receive a Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grant in 2006. ODE has assembled a team of expert writers to develop a K-4, content-enriched Mandarin curriculum. Work has already begun, with a draft curriculum slated for completion by late summer 2007. Professional development modules will be created to help teachers implement the curriculum, which will be piloted by a diverse group of schools throughout Ohio during the 2008-2009 school year.  

In 2006, Ohio signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban). Currently, four visiting teachers are providing instruction to Ohio students in Chinese language and culture under this agreement. Interest in the Chinese Visiting Teacher program is high throughout the state. Many district officials are considering the program as a way to jumpstart their own programs. For the 2007-2008 school year, the number of district requesting Chinese visiting teachers has increased significantly. 

In its last budget, the Ohio legislature approved funding to provide a means for alternative licensure to heritage speakers of Chinese and other languages. Cleveland State University (CSU) and OSU submitted successful proposals and subsequently initiated one-year intensive alternative licensure programs in Chinese. Both universities will license student cohorts in grades 7-12 in time to begin teaching during the 2007-2008 school year. 

House Bill 115 created Regents Academies for Ohio’s 11^th and 12^th graders to study Chinese and other languages while earning dual credit at both the high school and postsecondary levels. Two collaborative groups were awarded funds to bring 50 students each to campuses around the state during the summer of 2007.  

The two Regents Academies are:  

Regents Foreign Language Academy
Partners: Kent State University, Bowling Green State University and Oberlin College
Fiscal Agent: Kent State University 

Foreign Language Regents Academy for Students of Chinese
Partners: OSU, CSU and Miami University
Fiscal Agent: OSU 

Recent legislation under Senate Bill 311 required the State Board of Education to establish a Foreign Language Advisory Council to propose a statewide foreign language implementation plan. The plan will include recommendations for implementation legislation by the 2014-2015 school year. Advisory council members were recently screened and selected by the State Board of Education. The council’s initial meeting is scheduled for April 18^th, and its final recommendations are to be submitted to the legislature, the governor, and the State School Board prior to December 31^st. The extent to which students should focus on critical languages like Chinese is one of six considerations with which this council has been tasked. 

The Ohio International Summit for Education is an upcoming event designed to bring together leaders from education, business and industry, foundations, and government to explore the implications of globalization and technological change for education, and to identify the resources and action steps required to ensure that Ohio’s students are prepared to compete and collaborate successfully in a global economy and interconnected world. The Ohio event will be held Thursday, April 26. Featured speakers include: 

• Frances Strickland, First Lady of Ohio
• Sir Michael Barber, co-author Creating a World-Class Education System in Ohio and former education advisor to British Prime Minister Tony Blair
• Susan Tave Zelman, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

The summit also will include a session featuring executives from leading Ohio companies and trade organizations discussing their perspectives on the implications of globalization for Ohio

The Ohio International Summit for Education will be hosted by the International Education Advisory Committee and is sponsored by the Longview Foundation, the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, and the Ohio Department of Education. 

For more information on Chinese language initiatives, international education, and other ODE initiatives, visit: http://www.ode.state.oh.us. 

For more information on OSU K-12 Chinese Flagship Program initiatives, visit: http://chineseflagship.osu.edu. 

For more information on initiatives of the National East Asian Languages Resource Center at the Ohio State University, visit: http://nealrc.osu.edu/firstpage.htm.