China is the second largest country in the world in terms of geography, but it is the most populous. Ranging from mountains and deserts in the north and west to subtropical forests in the south and east. With its amazing past measured in terms of political dynasties, Chinese history has inspired many to greatness. Today, China is one of the fastest growing nations, and programs to teach Chinese language and culture have flourished not only in the United States, but also throughout the world.
The Linden Public Schools are proud to offer one of the most in-demand languages in modern society, Chinese. In association with Hanban, the Chinese National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Linden schools have become one of the premiere districts in New Jersey to provide a world-class level of instruction.
Linden provides a wide variety of Chinese courses designed to promote fluency in both spoken and written Mandarin Chinese. In addition to language, students are exposed to culture representative of all nations where Chinese is a national language.
Beginning in elementary schools (School #1, School #6, and School #10), Linden’s youngest students are offered the basics of the Chinese language. At both middle schools, students are able to build upon their linguistic skills and knowledge through regular exposure to Chinese. Linden High School offers a wide variety of courses ranging from introductory Level 1 through International Baccalaureate study.
From the earliest grades, the Linden Public Schools provide opportunities for our youngest students to take their first steps into the world.
Chinese is one of three world languages students are taught throughout Linden’s elementary schools.
The study of Chinese culture and language continues from the elementary years into the middle school years at both McManus and Soehl Middle Schools. For students who have had no prior exposure to Chinese, one of the quarterly exploration tracks available is for Chinese, which provides students with an introduction to the language. For students with more in-depth, prior instruction or understanding, full year courses are available, which provide even greater opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the language.
Linden High School is proud to provide a content-rich, authentic learning environment for our American students who wish to explore the culture and language of China. In addition to our Confucius Classroom (sponsored in part by our professional relationship with Hanban and the Chinese government), we have a classroom dedicated towards the instruction of Chinese. The many diverse resources ranging from print media to video and technology available in our Confucius Classroom are shared with the middle and elementary schools in the district, guaranteeing that teachers on all levels have no shortage of authentic, meaningful materials to pull from to develop and enhance their instruction.
In addition to this, Linden High School is pleased to have a strong working relationship with CIRU, the Confucius Institute at Rutgers University. We routinely participate in university-level activities, and in return, representatives share their knowledge and resources with our teachers, which in turn helps them prepare Linden’s young Chinese learners for the world of tomorrow.
Linden High School offers a wide variety of extracurricular offerings for students who study Chinese language and culture. Ranging from Chinese I through IB Chinese SL, students have the ability to develop their awareness and understanding of Chinese. Beyond, this, however, students work with their teachers to be exposed to events and activities outside the normal scope of the classroom environment.
Linden High School, in partnership with three sister schools in China, maintains a Chinese Exchange Program. Annually, this program brings high school students from China to the United States around February, and in return students from Linden have the opportunity to visit students from their sister schools in Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Beijing in March or April.
Both middle schools and Linden High School have organized Chinese and Asian Clubs. The dates and times of these meetings vary by school; to learn more, please contact the Chinese and Asian Club advisor at each school.
Linden High School is proud to host a local chapter of CLASS, an American Chinese Honor Society dedicated to the continuous promotion of Chinese language and culture and advancement of students who study and learn Chinese. Each May, students participate in an induction ceremony when they meet the requirements; they also receive special recognition upon graduation from Linden High School.