Language As Bridge, Culture As Sail
Notes on “Chinese Bridge for American Schools" Tour

Background

Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong announced the initiation of the “Three 800s” scheme to support Chinese language education in the U.S. and promote bilateral exchanges in the field of humanities during his visit to the U.S. this April. The “Three 800s” refers to offering 800 scholarships to Confucius Institute students in the U.S., inviting 800 U.S. middle school and university students to China, and inviting 800 U.S. elementary and middle school principals as well as educational officials to China. This

“Chinese Bridge for American Schools” tour is an important aspect of the “three 800s”scheme. “Chinese Bridge for American Schools” is the largest Sinoforeign education exchange project since the People’s Republic of China was founded 60 years ago. It is also the largest bilateral education exchange activity since China and the U.S. established diplomatic relation 30 years ago. In April, 2006, when Chinese President Hu Jindao visited America, Hanban and the U.S. College Board signed a cooperative agreement to implement the “Chinese Language and Culture Project”. “Chinese Bridge” is one of the major items of this cooperative agreement.

In the past four years, Hanban and the U.S. College Board have invited more than 2,000 headmasters to visit China. With the cooperation between the two sides, classes for the AP Chinese Project and for Chinese teachers, have trained over 400 American local Chinese teachers. The lecture group for Chinese language and culture has given lectures to more than 40,000 students in 21 states. In the past three years, 300 voluntary Chinese teachers have been sent to work in the U.S.