Go Global NC led a delegation of North Carolina educators to the 12th annual Confucius Institute conference in Xi’an, China from Dec.11 – 13. The 2017 theme was, “Working Together to Build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind through Cooperation and Innovation.”
The conference offered 15 individual forums conducted by world languages experts and focused building skills and knowledge, including program performance management, innovative teaching and resources, building the capacity of teachers, creative cultural programs, the value of Chinese language proficiency testing (HSK and YCT) and more. Special exhibits also delivered Chinese language teaching resources and materials and information about higher education in China and the ongoing cultural evolution of the country.
A highlight of the conference for North Carolina was witnessing the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) receive the Confucius Classroom of the Year Award. NCSSM was one of only five schools worldwide to receive the award, which is based on but not limited to the quality of teaching and learning, curriculum, cultural richness and community outreach and involvement as well as extracurricular activities. [Click here to read more about the award.]
The North Carolina delegation joined nearly 2,500 conference attendees that included university presidents and representatives and Confucius Institute experts from over 140 countries and regions.
(L-R) June Chen – associate director, world language programs, and Nick Rau – director, education and training, both of Go Global NC coordinated the delegation that included Alison Moore- principal, Cox Mill Elementary School; Olivia Oxendine – NC State Board of Education member; Cheri Boone – Instructional Services Department, Buncombe County Schools; Erin Anderson – principal, Harrisburg Elementary School and Hong Li- Instructor of Chinese, North Carolina School of Science and Math. The attendees were guests of and sponsored by Hanban (the Office of Chinese Language Council International) at the annual event, which is designed provide educators and administrators with the opportunity to continue to building their world language teaching skills.
