Knowledge of Chinese has become increasingly important in many sectors, including international business, politics, technology, and diplomacy. Over a billion people worldwide are native Chinese speakers. VHS Learning’s new Chinese Language and Culture introductory course, available both as a paced semester-long course and a Flexible self-paced course, will enable high school students to develop cultural awareness and vocabulary skills as a foundation for success in our increasingly global society.
Students who take Chinese Language and Culture will explore practices and perspectives of Chinese culture, including familiar topics such as celebrations, family and school life, and foods. They will also learn how to express feelings, likes, dislikes, and ideas through brief discussions. Activities will include interpreting text and audio from resources such as videos, podcasts, and articles.
Both the standard paced, and Flexible self-paced versions of the high school course consist of thematic units:
- Unit 1: Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture
- Unit 2: Ancient Chinese History
- Unit 3: Everyday Life
- Unit 4: Culture
- Unit 5: Experiences and Connections
Registration for the semester-long standard course will open in May, and the courses will be offered in the 15-week fall and spring semesters of the 2023-24 academic year. Registration for the Flexible self-paced course will open July 1, and after that, students will be able to enroll on a rolling basis year-round. Flexible coursework will be available immediately after registering, and students will have up to 20 weeks to complete the self-paced course. These fully online courses can be used by high schools to supplement their local course offerings, and students may also enroll in the courses directly with VHS Learning if they choose.
Chinese Language and Culture is just the latest in a series of Chinese courses offered by VHS Learning. During the most recent semester, 46 students registered for the language course Chinese 1, with more advanced students enrolling in the Chinese 2 and Chinese 3 courses. VHS Learning also offers an Advanced Placement® version of Chinese Language and Culture; the initial offering of the course ran in the fall 2022 semester.
“Many students are looking to earn high school credit for World Language courses, and VHS Learning’s complete online Chinese course series is a great option for students looking for more flexibility,” said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning. “Our new Chinese Language and Culture course helps students discover how ancient Chinese traditions impact modern society and is a great introduction to possible future study of the Chinese language.”
About VHS Learning
VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization with almost three decades of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. More than 600 schools around the world take advantage of VHS Learning’s 300+ online high school courses — including 29 AP® courses, credit recovery, and enrichment courses — to expand their programs of study. VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), Accrediting Commission for Schools, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information about VHS Learning please visit https://www.vhslearning.org/ and follow on Twitter at @VHSLearning.
