Lausanne Collegiate School Opens New Confucius Classroom

Memphis, Tenn.—As the Chinese New Year begins Lausanne Collegiate School will celebrate its official partnership with the Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis and establishment of Lausanne’s Confucius Classroom by hosting a reception on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in Lausanne’s new library, 1381 West Massey Rd., Memphis, TN 38120.

The reception will feature representatives from the Institute, the University and the children of Lausanne, who are recipients of this program that teaches lower school students Chinese language and culture. Provost at the University of Memphis, Dr. Ralph Faudree, will speak on behalf of the University of Memphis; Dr. Hsiang-te Kung, the director of the Confucius Institute and Asian Studies program, will speak on behalf of the Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis (CIUM); and Sarah Li, Lausanne’s Confucius Classroom lead teacher, and Lausanne lower school students will perform.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis (CIUM) was recently selected as one of the top six Confucius Institutes in the United States and one of the top thirty Confucius Institutes in the world by the National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (Hanban). Hanban is the corporate headquarters for 322 Confucius Institutes and 369 Confucius Classrooms in 96 countries in the world. It serves as the hub for all activity surrounding the promotion and teaching of Chinese language and culture for Confucius Institutes across the globe.

Samantha Kemmish, head of Lausanne’s Lower School; Kara Barbour, Lausanne’s early childhood coordinator; and Stephen Campbell, Lausanne’s director for international programs recently spent two weeks in China as guests of the Hanban, touring schools in Bejiing and Wuhan and learning about the state of education in China. Mandarin and Spanish classes are offered daily to Lausanne’s Lower School students and the school is increasing its Mandarin courses each year as it moves towards Mandarin offerings at every grade level.

In conjunction with its partner institution, Hubei University in China, the Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis promotes understanding of the Chinese language and culture among the people of the United States, develops friendly relations between the U. S. and China,

accelerates the expansion of multiculturalism, and provides opportunities for students studying the Chinese language.

Learners can understand basic language materials related to common daily settings and develop confidence and interest in learning the Chinese language. Detailed curriculum is developed at each Classroom site.

“Our Lower School is dedicated to providing daily Mandarin classes to our students so that they grasp the language and better understand Chinese culture,” shares Samantha Kemmish. “Our mission as a school is to prepare each of our students for college and for life in a global environment. With over 44 countries represented in our student body, we are grateful for our partnership with the Confucius Institute and the role it plays in helping us prepare children for present and future relationships that will increasingly depend on global awareness and respect and knowledge of different cultures.”

About Lausanne Collegiate School: Lausanne Collegiate School (Memphis, Tenn.) is a coeducational, college preparatory, International Baccalaureate World School whose student body represents over 40 different countries. Its mission is to “prepare each of its students for college and for life in a global environment.” Lausanne (www.lausanneschool.com) develops the individual intellects, talents, creativity and character of boys and girls in PK-12 grade through student-centered teaching; global diversity; and encouraging, challenging and engaged learning.