CCTV Interviews Confucius Institute at University of Kansas, US

On November 8, CCTV (China Central Television) went to the Confucius Institute at the University of Kansas to produce a feature film and have a special interview with Ms. Sheree Willis, the institute’s Dean, as well as volunteer Chinese teachers from Huazhong Normal University.

The activity, jointly planned by CCTV Overseas News Department and Hanban, aimed to develop a 90-minute documentary (including two episodes) as a present for Confucius Institutes and volunteers to introduce their life and work in various parts of the world.

Based on the school’s work offering distance education to local primary and secondary schools and Chinese language courses to local communities, the interview group filmed the school’s simulated distance teaching and teaching discussion. They also interviewed Mr. Doug Ahvens, who was studying at a community Chinese class. Mr. Doug Ahvens adopted a Chinese girl 5 years ago. To help keep his daughter stay in touch with her roots, Mr. Doug Ahvens studies hard in hopes of helping her master Chinese..

The interview group had a special interview with Dean Sheree Willis. The dean explained the reason why her school has been among the 20 Model Confucius Institutes for two consecutive years. The joint efforts of the whole staff, the great support of Hanban and Huazhong Normal University and the effective cooperation between Chinese and American partner schools are all playing factors in the institute’s success. On the question of whether the institute’s development had an effect on cooperation between the partner schools, Ms. Sheree Willis said that the Confucius Institute had expanded cooperation, which in turn not only help promote Chinese teaching in Kansas, but also helped more Americans learn about Huazhong Normal University. She believes that the promotion of Chinese teaching is beneficial to enhancing mutual understanding between the Chinese and American peoples and promoting world peace.

CCTV editor Mr. Li Jinwei presenting Ms. Sheree Willis a souvenir

Group photo of the CCTV interview group with teachers and volunteers of the Confucius Institute