Confucius Academy expands Asian studies at QC

Children, adults and senior citizens can learn about and even travel to China, thanks to the new Confucius Academy at Queens College - which is offering courses and seminars this summer and throughout the academic year.
With classes like “How To Do Business in China” and “Beginning Mandarin and Cantonese,” the academy prepares students for today’s global market.
Classes in Chinese literature, art, politics and history are also open to the public.
The academy is offering computer instruction in Mandarin and Cantonese, as well as song and dance classes for children.
“Our faculty are experts in their respective fields and currently work at what they teach,” said Tom Cracovia, the college’s executive director of Continuing Education. “The instructor who will teach our ‘Introduction to Chinese Literature’ course has written 10 novels in Chinese and is a preeminent editor and translator,” he said.
Cracovia and other QC representatives have toured Chinese universities to learn teaching techniques and explore opportunities for exchange.
The dean of Continuing Education at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing had the idea for a Chinese studies academy at Queens College when Cracovia visited China in 2006.
“I’m looking to making it a two-way street,” he said. “We’ll be looking to send teachers over there to teach English and SAT courses.” One QC professor taught a seminar in China on the latest developments in Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages (TSOL). Two hundred professors took the class.
Cracovia hopes to bring Chinese professors to the academy in the future. “The idea is to spread Chinese culture among Americans and also Americans who were born in China and their families,” he explained.
Last summer, 29 Chinese high school teachers attended a six week class at the academy on how to teach English to non-native speakers. Cracovia expects 25 teachers to come this year.
Additionally, an “Asian initiative” is underway to expand Asian studies at QC.
The academy is currently negotiating to bring 30 Chinese artists to QC for an exhibit in the fall. This summer, renowned chef Kesi (David) Guo, President of the Fujian Culinary Association, will teach a class in Fujianese/American cuisine.
Foreign students are encouraged to take courses at the academy, some of which are taught in Chinese. “Quite a few delegations from China come here because they want to tour our campus,” said Cracovia.
As QC contacts around the world grow, so does the academy. Said Cracovia, “The goal is to make this a permanent academy here at Queens College and to make it grow and expand.”
“The Academy has extensive relationships with the Chinese community in New York and China,” he explained. “With their input, we will introduce new programs each semester,” he said.
Classes are held both on the QC campus, at 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, at 39-07 Prince Street (between Roosevelt and 39th Avenues) and other locations.
Students can sign up until the first day of class. Registration for the fall starts on the last week of August.
To find schedules and course descriptions or to obtain registration information, call 718-997-5704 or visit www.cep.qc.edu/confucius.htm.