International Studies Academy at Lawrence High School Recognized for its Mandarin Chinese Program

Editor's Note: The following is a news release that was issued by Lawrence Township Public Schools.

Lawrence High School, via the Mandarin Chinese class within the school’s Business and International Studies Career Academy, has earned membership into the third cohort of schools in the Asia Society Confucius Classrooms Network. The society accepted the LHS program in recognition of its potential as a model Chinese language program for the United States, strong local leadership, demonstrated commitment to international exchange and collaboration, and global vision for the future.

Ms. Tsun-Ju Lin is the Mandarin Chinese teacher at LHS, and she teaches five classes of the world language ranging from levels I to IV. This marks her second year within the Lawrence Township Public Schools and the third year the district has offered the program.

The Asia Society Confucius Classrooms Network is a national network of 100 exemplary Chinese language programs that is being developed over a three-year period. With this third cohort, the Network represents almost 25,000 Chinese language learners in more than 100 schools in 27 states and the District of Columbia – public schools, independent schools, and charter schools; elementary, middle and high schools; and urban, rural, and suburban schools.

Each Asia Society Confucius Classroom will be matched with a partner school in China to enhance opportunities for language learning and to provide students, teachers, and administrators with opportunities to conduct exchanges and joint projects. The Network is linked through an online community where teachers will share resources and best practices in an effort to build models for the field.

As part of its continuing effort to help American students become more globally competent, Asia Society has been supporting the development of Chinese language programs in schools across the United States.

“We’re excited to be part of the Asia Society Confucius Classroom Network, and Ms. Lin is to be commended for the excellence she brings to the program,” related Jon Dauber, Lawrence High Upper School principal. “We look forward to helping our students connect as 21st century learners in a global society.”