Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a copy of Creating a Chinese Language Program in Your School: An Introductory Guide?

You can order a guide by going to our publications page.

I am a school/district/parent interested in starting a Chinese language program but I’m not sure where to begin. What should I do?
We suggest that you read through this website and focus on the information under the “Start a Program” section, which is a sampling of the information in our handbook, “Creating a Chinese Language Program in Your School: An Introductory Guide.” Review the worksheets provided to gauge your school’s progress and talk to others in your community about their level of support for the project. The guide provides a step by step process to creating a program, as well as case studies.

What type of Chinese should our school teach?
China ’s more than 1.3 billion inhabitants speak a variety of languages and dialects. However, Mandarin is the official language of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China on Taiwan. There are more than 885 million speakers of Mandarin throughout the Chinese territories. While other language dialects exist and are spoken by sizable numbers of the Chinese community, the majority of Chinese can communicate in Mandarin. Most schools, therefore, choose to teach Mandarin Chinese as it is the recognized “common speech” (putong hua) in Chinese-speaking regions that include mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore. For more information, see our handbook or click here to access additional resources about teaching Chinese.

I am/I know a Chinese language teacher. How do I get a job teaching Chinese?
See the Teach Chinese page on our website.

I speak Chinese and think I would be a good teacher, but I have not taken any education courses. What are the universities that can train me to teach Chinese? How do I get certified?
See the Teach Chinese page on our website.

I am a school in need of a Chinese teacher. Where do I find a teacher?
Click here for links to Chinese language teacher job boards and international faculty programs.

How can I recruit a Chinese teacher from China?
Click here for links to Chinese language teacher job boards and nternational faculty programs.

What textbook should I use?
Although we keep a list of textbooks, publishers and other classroom resources relating to teaching Chinese in American schools (click here ), Asia Society has not reviewed any teaching material and cannot, therefore, make recommendations.

How do I get in touch with schools in China to start exchanges?
Please visit our resources page and view the section on immersion and exchange opportunities.

Can someone from Asia Society serve in an advisory role for our new Chinese language program?
Unfortunately, given the large number of inquiries and the small size of the Asia Society staff, Asia Society officers and staff cannot serve on advisory roles for Chinese language programs. We are working to create a technical assistance resource to support your growth but it is still in development. Please check this page again in the future for additional developments. We do offer an online tool to help establish a working group and offer first steps.

How do I find a school near me that teaches Chinese?
Use our school directory to locate programs near you and contact them directly. Please add your school to the list if we do not have it. Please note that the list is not automatically updated and it will take a few days for your school information to appear.

Does Asia Society offer grants to start or sustain Chinese language programs?
Asia Society is not a grant-giving organization. We do, however, post grants and related announcements on our website. Please click here to see the most recent listing.

Can someone from the Asia Society review my grant? If not, can you recommend someone who will?
Unfortunately, given the large number of inquiries and the small size of the Asia Society staff, Asia Society officers and staff cannot serve on advisory roles for Chinese language programs. We are working to create a technical assistance resource to support your growth but it is still in development. Please check this page again in the future for additional developments. Please click here to see the most recent grant listings.