China 2012

The primary goal of the 2012 project is to support local teachers and districts so that students can learn about China. The first priority for selecting applicants is how participation will advance and support such learning including Chinese language training. Eligible participants include teachers and administrators who are in a position to provide substantial support to students learning about China either through their classroom roles or their administrative positions.

Applicants are asked to specify how their school or district is working to support learning about China and how their participation in the program will support that effort. For example, language teachers could explain their role in offering Chinese language classes and curriculum coordinators or foreign language coordinators or department chairs might state how increased personal knowledge about and travel in China would assist them in supporting the introduction of the language in the district and community, while classroom teachers of social studies, language arts, and fine arts could show how their current curriculum can be expanded to include more information about China.

Project activities begin in January 2012 with an intensive seminar on China that will take place during the spring semester. Attendance at the seminar meetings (up to five late-afternoon sessions plus two full days requiring released time from the participants' districts) is required in order to be included in the travel portion of the project. Travel to China customarily starts in mid-June. Graduate credit will be available at the participant's expense.

Requirements for participation in China in Missouri include the following:

1. Satisfactorily completing the 2012 China Seminar, including the late-afternoon sessions and the all-day programs.

2. Commitment to working to include substantial content about China in the curriculum, in individual classrooms or in schools.

3. Holding an up-to-date passport and signifying that you are in good health, current on inoculations and physically able to take part in all activities. (Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from July 2012. In view of the time needed to receive a new or renewed passport, please apply as soon as possible after notification of acceptance.)

4. Contributing $1000 towards the expenses of the travel portion of the project. (Many participants have obtained $1000 from their schools or districts; others have raised the money in a variety of creative ways.) In addition, each participant provides $100 in cash for in-country tips and similar travel expenses.

5. Full-time employment in a K-12 school for at least the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years.

As stated above: Preference will be given to (1) applicants who have the greatest opportunity to incorporate teaching about China and/or Chinese language into the curriculum of their schools and districts, and (2) individuals in these positions who have not had significant recent travel or study opportunities in China.

The deadline for applications is December 5, 2011. A committee reviews all applications and successful applicants will be notified before the winter break.

Calendar for China 2012

Monday, December 5 Application deadline

Thursday, January 26 Afternoon seminar, 4:00 to 7:00

Thursday, February 9 All day, 8:30 to 3:00

Thursday, March 8 Afternoon seminar, 4:00 to 7:00

Thursday, March 29 All day, 8:30 to 3:00

Thursday, April 19 Afternoon seminar, 4:00 to 7:00

Thursday, May 10 Afternoon seminar, 4:00 to 7:00

Thursday, May 31 Afternoon seminar, 4:00 to 7:00

Mid-June to mid-July Travel in China: TBA

All meetings are held at
Cooperating School Distircts
1460 Craig Road
Conference Room D
St. Louis, MO 63146

Download application China 2012 application.

For additional information, please contact Sheila Onuska at sonuska@csd.org or 314-692-1208.