Chinese Guest Teacher Program2008-2009

Bringing the World to West Virginia

China Initiative

• State Superintendent Steve Paine joins College Board trip to China

• 21st Century Skills Initiative committed to World Language education and global awareness

World Language Articulation Goals

Chinese• Began implementing

high school program in 2007

• Long-range plan to develop articulated middle school to high school program

Expand Critical Languages

• Pre-K• Elementary• Middle School

Benefits of World Language Study

Personal• Cognitive

– Higher-order thinking skills

– Correlations to higher achievement in English and in math

• College readiness– Higher SAT and ACT

scores• Increases global

awareness

Societal• Critical languages for

business and national defense– Chinese, Arabic, Hindi,

Japanese, Korean, Persian, Russian, Turkish

• Meeting the needs of a diverse American society– Education– Health care– Housing

Benefits of the China Guest Teacher Program

• Teacher salary provided by China• Chinese language program can be launched with

minimal initial investment• Similar programs in other states• Students can learn authentic Chinese language and

interact with native-Chinese speaker• Teacher can serve as a cultural resource in other

subjects• School can build pipeline to AP Chinese classes

About the Chinese Teachers

• Teaching certificate in China

• Speak Standard Mandarin

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher)

• Three or more years teaching experience

• Selected through rigorous screening process

• Travel with J-1 visa

• May work up to 3 years

Host Institutions Responsibilities

• Sign contract with the College Board• Pay administrative fee of $2,000 (cover visa

processing etc.)• Provide housing (school facilities, rented apartment,

homestay)• Provide local transportation • Provide mentoring and access to regular

professional development opportunities• Verify intent to continue Chinese program by hiring

a full-time teacher

Successes

• Four districts in West Virginia currently host Visiting Chinese Teachers

• Cultural ambassadors that have generated awareness of China and Asia

• Diversity of language offerings

• Reciprocal sharing of culture, education and belief systems

• Connecting to the global world

Challenges OPTIONS

• Finding housing for the guest teacher

• Transportation

• Cultural orientation

• Communication• Bolstering program

enrollments

• Home stays, college dorms, apartment stipend

• School bus and volunteer network

• National training, cultural mentor

• Modern communication tools

• Awareness presentations

Application Process

• Application must be submitted to WVDE by Friday, January 4, 2008

• WVDE will review applications, provide technical assistance, make recommendations & submit to College Board by January 11.

• Application available on-line http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/chinese/guest

• Notification by March

Selection Criteria- Making the Case!

• General College Board selection criteria: – Potential for consistent or expanding student enrollment in

a Chinese language course• Number of students requiring foreign language for high school

graduation &/or college entrance• Current foreign language programs (lack of &/or prevalence)• Community demographics with China connections• Business connections

– Evidence of program support• Letters from BOE, Superintendent, Community, Businesses

– Ability to serve as model for other districts/schools• WVDE will generate letter endorsing schools as “Model Schools”• Agree to showcase program benefits

Questions & Comments

Contact Robert Crawford

rcrawford@access.k12.wv.us

(304) 558-2691