For press information, contact Riki Jackson, 901-678-3166

The Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis (CIUM) and Campus School, the city school that is also the lab school for the U of M College of Education, will continue their comprehensive, school-wide Chinese language and cultural program this fall. Dr. Susan Copeland, Campus School director, and the Confucius Institute will work in partnership to teach the Chinese language and culture to students in all the school’s grades, first through fifth.  Last year CIUM taught 24 Chinese language and culture classes to 335 students each week.

“Dr. Copeland’s commitment to providing a global education to the students at Campus School is the foundation for the success of this program,” said Dr. Hsiang-te Kung, CIUM director. “She embraced the program from the very beginning. Dr. Copeland has a global vision for her students, as well as a world-class teaching staff.”

Said Copeland, “Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world and the third most widely spoken language in the United States. Statistics support that young students learn to speak a new language more easily. In addition, comprehensive research supports that overall academic achievement is higher among students who study a foreign language. Last year our students embraced the opportunity to learn the Chinese language and culture. I am very proud of them.”

Riki Jackson, assistant director of CIUM, added, “Dr. Copeland has a top-notch teaching staff committed to providing the best learning opportunities for children. The teachers and parents at Campus School are learning along with the students. It’s an unbelievable opportunity for everyone.”