Belin-Blank Challenge Saturday Classes
Fall 2009 - Location, Dates, & Times
Saydel High School, 5601 NE 7th St, Des Moines, IA 50313
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
October 3, October 10, October 31, November 14, December 12
Snow make-up days: December 19, January 9 & 16 (2010)
Belin-Blank Center, 221 N Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52242
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
September 26, October 17, November 14, December 5, December 12
Snow make-up days: December 19, January 9 & 16 (2010)
Description & Objectives
The Challenge Foreign Language program is designed to teach 5th-8th grade students beginning Mandarin Chinese language and Chinese culture. Students will receive direct instruction, and they will do independent work. During class time, students will be expected to follow instructions as they learn about Chinese language and culture. Occasionally, challenging assignments may be provided for home exploration. Of special note, attendance at and participation in every class is absolutely necessary when beginning the study of any language.
Instruction
The Challenge Foreign Language (Mandarin Chinese) program is designed to be an intensive mentorship program. Expected class size is at least ten and no more than fourteen students per class. Therefore, the maximum student/teacher ratio is from 10:1 to 14:1.
Des Moines classes will be taught by Ms. SUN Qian. Ms. Sun is a PhD candidate at ECNU majoring in Chinese linguistics and characters. She has a BA degree in English and a MA degree in Chinese linguistics and characters.
Iowa City classes will be taught by Ms. XU Xiaona. Ms. Xu is a teacher at the Global Center for Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai. She has a BA degree in Chinese linguistics and a MA degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language.
Ms. Sun and Ms. Xu are both native-fluent foreign language teachers. Both are fluent in English as well.
Cost
Tuition is $350 for the semester’s five classes. There are no additional charges for books or other instructional materials. The Confucius Institute underwrites the instructional costs and The Belin-Blank Center underwrites the administrative costs including any assessments that may be coordinated by the Belin-Blank Center. Please note: Financial aid is available for qualifying families.
More information
Challenge Saturday Website
(As of August 14, 2009, this website is not completely functional.This problem has been reported. Missing details are available above under the "Location, Dates, and Times" and "Instruction" sections.)
The Belin-Blank Center at The University of Iowa
800) 336-6463
Catherine Blando, Ed.S. - catherine-blando@uiowa.edu
Susan Assouline, Ph.D. - susan-assouline@uiowa.edu
The Confucius Institute at The University of Iowa
(319) 335-0159
Rebecca Kessler at confucius@uiowa.edu