Chinese Bridge–American School Principals visit Bodi
Accompanied by a representative of China Confucius Institute Headquarters and International Exchange Director Guo Hongyi of Shaanxi Education Bureau, a 28-member group of “Chinese Bridge – American School Principals China Trip” visited Bodi School on November 7, 2011.
The American principals were warmly welcomed by Principal Shizhong Zhou and other administrators of Bodi School. After a brief welcoming ritual, the visitors broke into 4 groups and went to observe the host school’s senior high class, junior high class, NASAP class and international class. At the end of the observation, the visiting principals discussed with the Chinese instructors about the teaching methods and other instruction issues. And then they toured the campus. The school’s beautiful environment and fine academic atmosphere left the visitors a deep impression.
At the following meeting, Principal Zhou first presented to the American colleagues the basic information of Chinese education, an overview of Bodi School, and especially Bodi’s international education exchange and cooperation. Principal Zhou’s presentation aroused great interest from the visiting side. The American group’s leader warmly responded by expressing his high appreciation of Bodi School’s outstanding achievements in educational development, its educational philosophy, and especially its concept and practice of educational globalization. During the discussion, both sides reached a consensus on developing the bilateral exchange and cooperation. And an American elementary school principal even reached an oral agreement with her Chinese counterpart – Bodi Elementary School Principal Yang – to carry out pupils’ exchange about learning Chinese on the internet. With a ritual of presenting gifts to each other, the meeting ended in a most friendly atmosphere.
The Chinese Bridge – American School Principals China Trip, co-organized by China Confucius Institute Headquarters and the College Board of USA, is a key component of the College Board’s Chinese language and culture program, aiming to help American principals to gain a better knowledge of China and to develop Chinese classes in their schools.