Shuhan Wang Summit

EXPANDING CHINESE LANGUAGE CAPACITY IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON : EXPANDING CHINESE LANGUAGE CAPACITY IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON International Education Leadership Summit January 30, 2006 Shuhan C. Wang, Ph.D. Education Associate World Languages & International Education Delaware Department of Education swang@doe.k12.de.us


Create a Tipping Point for Expanding Chinese Language Capacity : Create a Tipping Point for Expanding Chinese Language Capacity Act when the “context” is right! Create “sticky messages” that stay in people’s minds Identify and engage mavericks who can be your “contagious” messengers - Malcolm Gladwell, 2000


Slide3 : The Context Is Chinese a “Fad”? In a flattened world, a more compelling question would be: Why Not?


China’s Economic Power as A New “Globalizer” (World Bank, 2002) : China’s Economic Power as A New “Globalizer” (World Bank, 2002) Now the largest producer of coal, steel and cement in the world 2nd largest consumer of energy 3rd largest importer of oil Imports to US have grown by 1600 % in the past 15 years Exports to China from the US have grown by 415 % China manufacturers 2/3rd of the world copiers, microwave ovens, DVD players, toys and shoes In the past 25 years, 300 million people moved out of poverty and quintupled the average income Wal-Mart is the largest company in the world: Employs 1.4 million people---more than GM, Ford, GE and IBM combined Revenues are 8 X that of Microsoft 80% of everything sold in Wal-Mart is manufactured in China Economic output of 1.6 trillion is expected to triple in the next 15 years *Data taken from Newsweek Magazine, "Special Report, China's Century." May 9, 2005.


China’s Political Power: Engagement with China is Crucial : China’s Political Power: Engagement with China is Crucial An emerging superpower of the world A player in balancing international stability A key to the national security of the US An actor to ensure global human security challenges: environment, health, poverty, human rights, migration, peace and so on


China’s Cultural Heritage Enriches Our Lives : China’s Cultural Heritage Enriches Our Lives World’s longest uninterrupted civilization Literary and artistic traditions Influence on East-Asian philosophy, social structure, and ways of being in the world Linguistic influences Culinary arts Scientific and technological inventions Chinese medicine


New Initiatives in the U.S. : New Initiatives in the U.S. Handbook on Chinese Language Programs (Led by Asia Society, funded by College Board) — to be completed in April 2006 K-16 Flagship at the University of Oregon and Portland Public School District ChenGo Web- or CD-based Chinese Learning System developed by China and the US National Security Language Initiative


Create Your Own Sticky Messages: : Create Your Own Sticky Messages: Increase awareness Make it relevant Create a sense of urgency Make it concrete: Success stories speak volumes! - Adapted from Harry Harding (2002) & Susan Bales (2003) It’s All about Framing


Some Examples of Sticky Messagesfor Language Education:Biliteracy for All Children  : Some Examples of Sticky Messages for Language Education: Biliteracy for All Children Biliteracy is capital in the global funds for the 21st century Language minority children need to acquire English, but they also need to maintain their heritage language and culture English dominant children need to learn another language other than English


Why Does the US Need Pluralistic Citizens? : Why Does the US Need Pluralistic Citizens? “Everybody else is learning English” — a double-edged sword for the US Others can understand us, but we cannot comprehend them! Know our own language and culture better through studying others It is a waste to dry up our rich linguistic and cultural resources


Language Study Helps Development of Problem-Solving and Creative-Thinking Skills : Language Study Helps Development of Problem-Solving and Creative-Thinking Skills Linguistic: Knowledge of and skill in another language; Native language becomes concrete Cultural: Knowledge of another culture outside Europe; stronger self- and US-identities Social: Pride in being able to learn a “difficult” language; Feeling “smart” Cognitive: Tap into multiple intelligences Develop and use better learning strategies Become self-managed and life-long learners Character-Based languages: 2-dimensional patterning, geometry Relationship with Math (e.g., number values)


Start Young and Stay Long : Start Young and Stay Long Time is needed to build oral proficiency and literacy in Chinese/second language Realistic expectations Comprehensive planning Long-term investment


So the Context is Right, and there are Sticky Messages : So the Context is Right, and there are Sticky Messages Who Should be the Messengers? You! Create your own quotable!


Michael Eskew CEO, United Parcel Service Education in an Age of Globalization  : Michael Eskew CEO, United Parcel Service Education in an Age of Globalization Six traits in future employees at UPS Trade literate Sensitive to foreign cultures Conversant in different languages Technology savvy Capable of managing complexity Ethical December 8, 2005 States Institute, L’Enfant Plaza Hotel


Howard Schultz Chairman, Starbucks  : Howard Schultz Chairman, Starbucks China's emerging as one of the centers of the world, if not the center of the world…. If my kids were of very young ages today, I would be asking them, and encouraging them, to learn Chinese. - Seattle Times, 12/25/2005


Conclusion: Can We Tip the Status Quo in the State of Washington Now? : Conclusion: Can We Tip the Status Quo in the State of Washington Now? The Context? Sticky Messages? Effective Messengers? Thank you!