PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING

CLASS bears a primary responsibility to nurture and in-service K-12 Chinese teachers. The organization conducted the 1993 and 1995 summer programs at the National Normal University in Taiwan. CLASS continues to forge collaboration and form new partnerships with other professional organizations. In the summer of 1997 and 1999, CLASS collaborated with MaFLA (Massachusetts Foreign Language Association) to offer Chinese teachers an immersion program in the New England region. The Global Knowledge Exchange (GKE) has worked with CLASS in seeking ways to enhance technology as means of communication and as an instructional tool for K-12 Chinese teachers. During the summer of 2000, CLASS sponsored a summer study program for its members in China. The program included one week of professional conferences and seminars at the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) and a one-week study tour to visit schools and historical sites in Xi 'an and Shanghai. CLASS was extremely fortunate to receive generous financial support from the Freeman Foundation, the Global Knowledge Exchange (GKE) Program, National East Asian Languages Resources Center (NEALRC) at Ohio State University, and the East Asian Studies Center at Indiana University. Twenty teachers received a Freeman Scholarship award during the summer to attend workshops.

In August 2001, CLASS and the Children's Museum in Boston co-sponsored a one and half day workshop in the city of Boston. Twenty-four enthusiastic K-12 Chinese language teachers explored practical ways to challenge students' minds and imagination in learning Chinese through cultural materials presented through the Museum's resource kits and books.

SERVICE PROVIDER FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CLASS is deeply committed to providing continuing professional development opportunities to improve the teaching of Chinese language and culture in American schools. CLASS is now an approved service provider in New Jersey. As a state provider, CLASS has agreed to meet a list of requirements including the responsibility to ensure that all CLASS professional development programs are aligned with the New Jersey Professional Development Standards set by the Department of Education. CLASS is responsible for supplying each workshop participant and conference attendee with written documentation that includes the number of professional development hours completed by participating teachers.