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K-12 Programs

The Asian Studies Center offers outreach programs for K-12 educators, students, and others to increase awareness of Asian cultures and societies through educational events, workshops, curriculum development, and resources.


2020 Teaching About Traditional East Asia Summer Seminar

Apply for this content-rich seminar for schoolteachers. Designed as an introduction to the premodern histories and cultures of China, Japan, and Korea, the course will encourage and facilitate teaching and learning about East Asia in Geography, History, Social Studies, and World Literature. Media specialists, librarians, art teachers, and world language teachers are also encouraged to apply. There will be special emphasis on pedagogy, best practices, classroom applications, and resources.

 

Dates and Location

  • Online
  • June 15-19 & 22-26, 2020, with one six-hour follow-up session in the fall.

 

Benefits

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, each participant will receive:

  • $200 stipend;
  • Certificate of completion;
  • $200 in teaching materials, inclu. a free textbook and year’s subscription to Education About Asia;
  • 30 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH) (approval pending);
  • Status as National Consortium for Teaching About Asia (NCTA) alumni. Alumni status gives you eligibility to participate in a variety of NCTA short courses and study tours.

Registration

Register for the 2020 Teaching Traditional East Asia Summer Seminar now as space is limited. Registration closes April 24, 2020.

 

Questions about this seminar?  Contact Dr. Ethan Segal, Professor of History, at segale(at)msu.edu to learn more.

This program is funded by the Freeman Foundation in association with the MSU Asian Studies Center, University Center for International Studies, and the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia at the University of Pittsburgh.


Confucius Institute

Established in May 2006, the MSU Confucius Institute (CI-MSU) is a collaborative effort of Michigan State University, Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban), and the Open University of China. CI-MSU offers innovative programs and services to meet the rising demand for high-quality Chinese language and culture education worldwide. It has been selected for three consecutive years as the Confucius Institute of the Year by the Chinese Ministry of Education.

CI-MSU offers Chinese language and culture instruction to over 30,000 K-12 students worldwide. CI-MSU has fostered partnerships with dozens of schools, districts and intermediate school districts in the U.S. Through these partnerships, CI-MSU has helped its partners to receive over $3 million in grant funding to support their Chinese language programs.

CI-MSU understands the diverse needs of Chinese language learners and the institutions that wish to offer Chinese language programs. To address these needs, we have developed a host of services. CI-MSU has custom-designed products, programs and services for young children, K-12 students and adults. Our mission is to serve the whole community, both individual learners and larger institutions. We offer online courses to meet the needs of students who do not have traditional access to second language opportunities; we also support face-to-face instructions in schools across the country. We offer culture summer camps for elementary to high school students in both the U.S. and China. Most importantly we are here to help, responding to schools’ unique needs by customizing our programs and services to deliver the best quality Chinese language instruction possible.


Linking all Types of Teachers to International Cross-cultural Education (LATTICE)

LATTICE is a learning community and international network that cultivates and supports a global perspective in K-12 classrooms through personal and professional development opportunities. It provides international experience by connecting schools to local and international communities and linking internationals to classrooms with visits and emails. It supports international learning so that the children of today can be effective participants in the world of tomorrow.


Teacher Workshops for Arabic, Chinese, Korean, & Japanese Language

 

The Asian Studies Center has funded and supported workshops for teachers of Arabic, Chinese, Korean, & Japanese Languages. 


Previous Years

Michigan-Shiga High School Exchange Program

In 1990, the Michigan Department of Education and the Shiga Board of Education initiated the Michigan-Shiga Student Exchange Program. Since 2014 it's been operated by the Michigan Shiga Sister State Board and the Asian Studies Center.

Each year the program offers 15 high school students an opportunity to travel to Shiga Prefecture in late June/early July to live with a Japanese family for two weeks. During their home stay the Michigan students attend school, participate in cultural and family events, increase their awareness of the Japanese culture and build lifelong relationships.

In early September, the Michigan students welcome their Japanese host students to Michigan. During their two weeks in Michigan, the Japanese students also attend school and participate in school and family activities while experiencing the culture here and extending the bonds between the two families. Two English Language instructors accompany the Japanese students. The Michigan students are chaperoned by two experienced teachers who are members of the Michigan-Shiga Student Exchange Program Committee.

Contact the MSSSB president Kathee McDonald, mcdon288(at)gmail.com, for more information.


Summer Institute for Global Studies (SIGS)

SIGS is a free workshop to help teachers learn how to talk about Africa, Asia, and Latin America more effectively in the classroom. This workshop is open to K-12 educators with priority given to mentor teachers of MSU interns. During this five day workshop, area experts use the power of stories to provide deeper insight into the history, economy, culture, and topical issues of a place. College of Education experts will provide teachers with pedagogical support for internationalizing current curriculum or creating new materials.

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