Not long ago, a Confucius Statue was erected in front of the Chinese History Museum at the east side of Tian'anmen Square. As a figure that is representative of traditional Chinese culture, Confucius is also becoming known to a growing number of people across the Pacific. So far, more than 70 Confucius Institutes have been established in the U.S., providing a chance for Americans to gain a better understanding of China. Recently a correspondent from CCTV conducted an interview in a Confucius Institute in Chicago.

Confucius Institutes are established across 44 U.S. States

Entering U.S. Walter Payton College Preparatory High School's teaching building, we can see the Confucius Institute: it is accommodated in the first classroom on our left. This Confucius Institute in Chicago was jointly established by Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Hanban(the Office of Chinese Language Council International) and East China Normal University on May 10th, 2006. It is responsible for the Chinese Language Program in 43 CPS Schools and involves nearly 12,000 students.

During the interview, the correspondent found out that the Chinese language class featured a few children that have visited China through a Sino-American cultural exchange program. They said that they were impressed by China, its interesting culture and its modern cities.

Of course, the majority of the American children here studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute have not yet had a chance to visit China, however, they are all very eager to visit and travel in China. They are very eager to know about China. Their study at the Confucius Classroom has not only provided them with a chance to learn Chinese language, but also allowed for them to learn about Chinese culture.

The intentions of opening the Confucius Institutes were providing formal, authoritative Chinese language textbooks as well as the most formal, primary channel of Chinese language teaching for all global Chinese language learners. Their purposes are also those of promoting Chinese language, Chinese culture and Chinese studies.

Chinese Language Fever is Constantly on the Rise in the U.S.

Since the Confucius Institute at the University of Maryland, the first Confucius Institute in North America was established in 2004, there have been 71 Confucius Institutes and 215 Confucius Classrooms introduced across 44 American States, with more than 50 institutions queuing to seek the co-establishment of Confucius Institutes. In early February of 2010, Oregon State passed a bill for the promotion of Chinese language teaching in primary and secondary school classrooms, becoming the first State to implement legislature regarding Chinese language teaching.

If someone in the U.S. wishes to learn Chinese and know about Chinese culture, there are many ways to achieve their goal: these means include study at a Confucius Institute. In recent years, Chinese language education in the U.S. has seen rapid development. There are more than 4,000 primary and secondary schools engaged in the setup of Chinese language classes across the U.S., involving more than 160,000 primary and secondary school students, 8 times that of figures 6 years ago. Meanwhile, the number of students learning Chinese language courses in colleges and universities is also on the rise.

This young fellow from New York is a third year student studying at the University of Chicago. He began learning Chinese 3 years ago and now he can speak fluent Chinese. He also gave himself a Chinese name---Sima Yan.

3 years ago, Sima Yan took Chinese language courses in his university. Soon he found that he was absorbed by Chinese culture and that his Chinese proficiency was also rapidly improving. In 2009, he applied for a Chinese Government Scholarship, a program issued by the Chinese government with the aim of helping foreign students study in Chinese colleges and universities. Sima Yan proceeded to enjoy an unforgettable year of study in Beijing Language and Culture University.

Sima Yan says that what impressed him most about China’s culture was Chinese people’s hospitality towards its guests. Even now Sima Yan frequently chats with Chinese friends online: In the process, his Chinese writing is also improving.

Sima Yan said that following his graduation, he intends to go to work in China because he likes Beijing, a city with a lively atmosphere. Teachers at the University of Chicago told us that in recent years there has been a noticeable rise in students signing up for elective Chinese language courses. Students at the University of Chicago said that they had learnt a great deal from Chinese language textbooks, including Lei Feng's spirit.

To better learn Chinese language, this American student also took part in a small cooking ‘support group’- a small group where people cook together: foreign students interested in Chinese culture invite Chinese students to cook with them. By doing so, the students are able to practice their Chinese and to learn how to cook Chinese cuisine at the same time as experiencing Chinese culture. Some students said: 'China enjoys a long history and China is developing very fast. Learning Chinese language is both interesting and practical, so why not get involved?” Chinese students said that through this support group, they are able to gain an understanding of the differences between their cultures.

Cultural Exchanges Are More Important

Currently there are many American colleges and universities that have not only set up Chinese language courses, but have also developed the capacity to provide further opportunities of exposure for students to learn about Chinese culture first hand. For example, the University of Chicago has been in cooperation with Tsinghua University since 2008. The University of Chicago sends 30 American students to China in participation of an annual Chinese culture summer camp. Cai Fangpei, senior lecturer of East Asian Languages & Civilizations at the University of Chicago, said: 'we take them to attractions, such as Beijing’s Forbidden City, Summer Palace, the Simatai stretch of the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven. After paying a visit to China, hearing and seeing it themselves, they are able to view negative media reports of China from a more objective perspective.' Ms. Cai explained to us that one Chinese American girl that had visited China, upon her return, said that she had decided to teach Chinese children in western China.

This girl wrote in her letter: “I grew up in a big city. There is a huge difference between teaching in a remote mountainous area and living in a big city. I had an unforgettable experience in China this summer. I want to go back to China to explore places outside of the big cities.

Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, believes that cultural exchanges play a role in showcasing a country's culture. China’s history is very long, whilst the history of the U.S. is relatively short. Cultural exchanges tell stories of the past, the present and the future; this is of great importance and of particular significance to young students.

During our interview in Chicago, our correspondent also discovered a new trend in Chinese learning: a growing number of Americans are beginning to teach their infants Chinese and the children are learning about Chinese culture just as they are starting to learn how to speak. Some communities have even set up Chinese classes specially designed for kids.

Mr. Tom is a businessman in Chicago. He has been sending his two-year-old daughter to a community Chinese class since last year. He has also hired a Chinese language tutor to teach his daughter at home.

Tom told the correspondent that China's economy is soaring. To his family, knowing more Chinese culture means increased opportunities. He and his wife share the dream of travelling in China when their daughter is a little older.

The traditional cultures of China and the USA are common wealth which should be shared by people of both countries as well as being a bridge for mutual understanding. These kinds of understandings between the two countries governments and their peoples are broader and deeper nowadays. As the two governments promote cultural exchange on a higher platform, China and the USA will build up closer connections and cooperation. The power of culture will produce increasing exchanges and resonance between the two nations.