Registration is underway for a number of Chinese language and cultural courses being sponsored by Valparaiso University’s Confucius Institute this summer.
The classes and programs will be presented by Jianyun Meng, director of the Institute and a lecturer in foreign languages and literatures, and visiting scholars from Zhejiang University of Technology - the Institute’s partner university.
Language and cultural classes being offered are:
Conversational Chinese (Level 1) - Classes are 7 to 8:45 p.m.
Mondays and Wednesdays from June 1 through July 29 (no class June 29 or July 1). Part three of a program for those beginning to learn Chinese language (completion of previous parts not a prerequisite). Suitable for ages 11 and up, the course includes one-on-one tutoring sessions. Cost is $120, $80 for CIVU members.
Comprehensive Chinese - Classes are 8 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays
from June 3 through July 31 (no class July 1). Part three of a program for those with more advanced Chinese language skills (completion of previous parts not a prerequisite). Suitable for ages 11 and up, the course includes one-on-one tutoring sessions. Cost is $120, $80 for CIVU members.
Chinese for Children - Classes are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and
Thursdays from June 2 through July 30 (no class June 30 or July 2). The course will introduce children 6 to 12 years old to the basics of Chinese language. Cost is $120, $80 for children of CIVU members.
Tai Chi and Martial Arts - Classes are 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays
and Wednesdays from June 1 through July 29 (no class July 1 or 6). The course will provide an introduction to Tai Chi and Chinese martial arts.
Cost is $100, $75 for CIVU members.
Space is limited for the summer classes, which will take place at CIVU House (1402 LaPorte Ave.) with the exception of the martial arts course, which is in Mueller Hall on campus. For more information or to register, call the Confucius Institute at (219) 242-8655 or send an e-mail to Confucius@valpo.edu. The institute’s summer hours are 2 to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
Valpo is the first faith-based university in the United States to host a Confucius Institute, a non-profit institute established and funded by the Chinese government to promote cultural, business, educational, artistic and government exchanges. Annual memberships are $100 for corporations and other organizations, $40 for families and $25 for individuals. More information about Valpo’s Confucius Institute is online at valpo.edu/confuciusinstitute.