In 2012, Chinese language education got a significant boost at Xavier University of Louisiana when the New Orleans-based school launched the nation’s first Confucius Institute based at a historically Black college or university. It was also the first of the nearly 500 Chinese government-affiliated Confucius Institutes around the world to be established in Louisiana.
Since then, the Xavier branch has not only coordinated the expansion of Chinese culture and language instruction at that campus but it has enabled Mandarin language courses to be offered at seven K-12 schools in the New Orleans area.
Late last month, officials announced that Xavier University has been designated as the lead institution of the 100,000 Strong Foundation’s “Advance Louisiana – Educating a Globally-Competent Workforce” initiative. The initiative, which has been endorsed by the Louisiana state K-12 superintendent, is being directed by the Washington-based 100,000 Strong Foundation (100K Strong) to accomplish three objectives aimed at boosting the capacity of Louisiana residents to understand and communicate with Chinese language and culture.
The objectives are expanding Mandarin teaching in Louisiana primary and secondary schools, community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities; facilitating and enhancing study abroad in China for those students in Louisiana who participate in Mandarin instruction; and improving cultural understanding of owners and employees in businesses throughout Louisiana, particularly among those working in the tourism industry.
“We are committed to preparing a Louisiana 21st century workforce that is culturally competent and to training the next-generation of political, business, and civic leaders with a global perspective,” Xavier University president Norman Francis said in a statement, noting that the school’s two-year experience with a Confucius Institute puts it “in a unique position to serve as the lead institute for the Advance Louisiana initiative.”
Carola McGiffert, president of the 100,000 Strong Foundation that seeks to strengthen U.S.-China relations through Mandarin language learning and study abroad, said Louisiana is the first state the organization has selected for a statewide learning initiative.
