2018 National Chinese Language Conference
From Classrooms to Careers
Skyridge High School students Spencer Baird and Emily Jensen perform at the opening plenary for the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Skyridge High School students Spencer Baird and Emily Jensen at the opening plenary for the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Utah Governor Gary Herbert speaks at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Utah Senator Howard Stephenson speaks at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Asia Society Vice President of Education Tony Jackson speaks at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
The National Youth Orchestra of China performs at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
College Board Vice President Linda Liu speaks at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Hanban Executive Deputy Director-General and Confucius Institute Headquarters Deputy Chief Executive Zhao Guocheng speaks at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
US-China Strong Foundation CEO John Holden speaks at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Student MCs Jane Sandberg and Ammon Oyler at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
A breakout session at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
A breakout session at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
A breakout session at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
A breakout session at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
A breakout session at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
College Board Chief of Membership, Governance, and Global Higher Education and Secretary of the Corporation Jim Montoya
College Board Director of Chinese Learning Initiatives and Culture Bob Davis speaks at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Asia Society China Learning Initiatives Director Jeff Wang speaks at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
2018 National Chinese Language Conference participants chat in the conference exhibit hallv
2018 National Chinese Language Conference participants chat in the conference exhibit hall
Panelists at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Ying Jin, the 2018 National Language Teacher of the Year named by ACTFL, asks a question during one of the plenary sessions at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Panelists at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Panelists at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Canyon School District students perform at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
Attendees at the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference
SALT LAKE CITY, May 30, 2018 – More than 1,300 educators from around the world convened in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the 11th annual National Chinese Language Conference. The three-day conference was hosted by Asia Society and the College Board, and in cooperation with Hanban, from May 17–19, 2018. Over the course of three days, educators participated in more than 100 workshops and presentations, visited schools across the Salt Lake City metro region, and enjoyed engaging plenary sessions and performances.
The conference's theme, "From Classrooms to Careers," examined how learning Chinese can be a large part of helping students find success in their future careers—but that it cannot be taught in a vacuum. The conference's third plenary session tackled this topic, discussing why learning Chinese is not enough—students must also be expert in another field, able to carry themselves in that field in Mandarin.
The conference celebrated the progress the U.S. has made in the development of Mandarin immersion programs and highlighted Utah's key role in that effort. Further, it explored how Chinese language programs are shaping a new generation of American youth who are ready to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of a dynamic and global economy.
Key figures in government, education, and U.S.-China relations spoke at the conference, including:
- Gary Herbert, Governor of Utah;
- Howard Stephenson, Utah State Senator;
- Tony Jackson, Vice President of Education and Director of the Center for Global Education at Asia Society;
- Linda Liu, Vice President, International, The College Board;
- Zhao Guocheng, Executive Deputy Director-General at Hanban;
- John Holden, CEO of the U.S.-China Strong Foundation; and
- Stacy Lyon, Utah Chinese Dual Language Immersion Director at Utah State Office of Education.
Read more about the 2018 National Chinese Language Conference in the articles listed below.
