On Oct. 22, 2007 Arizona State University unveiled the Confucius Institute at Arizona State University (ASU CI) on the Tempe campus. The Confucius Institute is ASU’s direct response to the need for creating a sustainable, in-depth source of knowledge about China for Arizona citizens. It is the first of its kind in the state. The institute is committed to promoting Chinese language and culture studies in schools as well as throughout the Arizona’s general public.

ASU CI was established through a partnership with Sichuan University and the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban), under the Ministry of Education in China. The Institute is part of a global network of Confucius Institutes dedicated to the understanding of the Chinese language and culture around the world.

Highlights

• ”Revising Chinese Etymologies: A Lexicographic Journey through the American Heritage Dictionary” talk by Dr. Zev Handel, Nov. 6, 2009. In July of 2007, Dr. Handel was contacted by an editor at the American Heritage Dictionary. He was seeking help in revising and improving the etymologies for the 173 words in the dictionary that can be ultimately traced back to a Chinese origin, words like chopstick, ginkgo, and typhoon. The etymologies of these words touch on many fascinating questions concerning word history and the interaction of Chinese with other languages. In this presentation, Dr. Handel will give examples of some of the words in the dictionary with Chinese etymologies, and discuss the delights and challenges that they present to the etymologist. A handout listing 25 etymologies will be circulated before the presentation; attendees are encouraged to examine it beforehand and bring questions and comments for discussion. Download event flyer and Dr. Handel’s handout for his talk.
• “Proficiency-Based Assessment: Principles to Practice” workshop by Kyle Ennis, Nov. 14, 2009. This workshop will introduce several foundational principles of assessment and describe how to implement these into everyday practice. Participants will discuss the critical scoring elements used to evaluate proficiency and will have an opportunity to practice scoring student writing samples and discussing the rating process. Time: Session 1: 9:00 am to 12:00. Session 2: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Place: EDB Room 213, Payne Hall in ASU Tempe Campus. See event poster for details. Please RSVP by November 12 to Zhixin Dong, zhixin.dong@asu.edu.
• Experience Chinese Culture, Nov. 7, 2009. The ASU Confucius Institute and Contemporary Chinese School of Arizona will host an “Experience Chinese Culture” event for high school seniors attending Grades 10 to 12. This is a good opportunity for students to experience Chinese culture. All students who sign up for this class will participate in three different Chinese cultural activities including 1) Chinese Calligraphy; 2) Chinese Knots; 3) Chinese Painting. Click for event flyer.
• YCT and HSK. The ASU Confucius Institute will host YCT on Oct. 24, 2009 and HSK on Nov. 7, 2009. For more information, please visit Hanyu Shuping Kaoshi on the left of this website.
• Phoenix Night Concert, Oct. 3, 2009. ASU CI co-sponsored the Phoenix Night Concert which was held at Coronado Art Center in Scottsdale. Click here for more info. See concert in action.
• 亚利桑那州立大学孔子学院中文讲座: 从服饰看中国：当代中国社会生活的变迁. A lecture by Dr. Xiaolu Wang was held on Oct. 1, 2009 at 5:30 pm in ASU Tempe Campus, LL building Basement Room 2. Click for event flyer and Dr. Wang's presentation.