About Confucius Classrooms
What are Confucius Classrooms?
Confucius Classrooms will be local hubs, based in a Scottish school or college, which will stimulate and support innovative teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture. They will be developed in partnership as part of International Education in Scottish schools.
Background
A Letter of Co-operation Intent was signed on 24 October 2007 between Learning and Teaching Scotland and Hanban (The Office of Chinese Language Council International). The key aspect of the co-operation is to set up Confucius Classrooms in Scotland.
How will they work in practice?
Schools and local authorities will plan the classrooms in partnership. Teachers will use the classrooms to set up events to promote Chinese language and culture and forge links with Chinese communities in the area. Each classroom will be able to operate in a way that is relevant for its particular context.
Examples of activities include:
- teaching Chinese
- facilitating the education of teachers to teach Chinese in primary and secondary schools
- organising conferences and in-service events related to the teaching of Chinese language and culture
- implementing Chinese language and culture courses for the local community
- supporting Chinese cultural activities and competitions.
Hanban has offered to provide a package of resources and teaching materials for children and young people across a wide age range to help with teaching Chinese language and culture.
Long-term aims
The aim is that every school in Scotland will have an opportunity to access these classrooms and their valuable resources. It is intended that four of the classrooms will be in place by June 2008, and a further four by March 2009.