Nonprofit VHS Learning is partnering with Continental Han Feng Network Technology (CHF) to develop a full Chinese language high school program. Chinese 1 through AP® Chinese Language and Culture courses will be added to the more than 250 online courses currently offered by VHS Learning. CHF and VHS Learning are working collaboratively to develop Chinese 1 and Chinese 2 courses during the first year of this multi-year partnership and VHS Learning is training qualified teachers in preparation for releasing both courses in September 2021.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer a full Chinese language program to VHS Learning students,” said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning. “We know there is a huge demand for Chinese language instruction, but not all high schools have the staff or resources to offer these courses. I anticipate a significant demand for these courses and am thankful for the support and partnership of CHF as we bring these courses to life for high school students everywhere.
To develop the program, VHS Learning is working with a stellar team of subject matter experts. The team will take state of the art content and create engaging learning experiences, fully aligned to ACTFL World Language standards, and delivered through VHS Learning’s unique, asynchronous model.
Professor Yu Feng, Director of the Chinese Language Program at Brandeis University, is a consultant on the project, providing invaluable expertise on innovative pedagogic approaches to teach Chinese efficiently and effectively to high school students. Professor Feng also brings to the project extensive experience as an original team member in the design of The College Board’s AP® Chinese Language and Culture exam. This knowledge will help set the curricular approach throughout the program and prepare VHS Learning students to perform well on the exam and continue their Chinese language studies.
Hua Zhang, the team’s lead subject matter expert developing course lessons, brings substantial classroom experience, having taught Chinese to high school students in China and the United States for over 25 years. Her deep knowledge and understanding of the ACTFL World Language standards will ensure the courses are fully aligned to those standards and provide students with the best opportunity to master the content. Course development has also been supported by Jinghong Wang, author of more than ten Chinese textbooks, and a well-known Chinese course developer at MOOC, experts in Chinese online learning courses and teacher training.
VHS Learning courses are designed from the start to be conducted using online best practices. The courses feature interactive and robust online classroom communities — a critical instructional element during these times of social distancing. Because VHS Learning courses are asynchronous, they allow teachers and students to balance the demands of their day with other teaching and learning responsibilities.
About Continental Han Feng Network Technology (CHF)
Continental Han Feng Network Technology (CHF) is an international Chinese online education company that is dedicated to the promotion of Chinese language and culture, training of international Chinese teachers, and improving the international level of education. To help learners from all over the world learn Chinese language and culture through the Internet, it provides Chinese language and culture courses, trainings for international Chinese teachers, different levels of courses of Chinese language and culture learning for learners from all over the world, development and operation of an international Chinese education cloud service platform, and technical support for brand projects.
About VHS Learning
VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization with 25 years of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. Offering more than 250 unique online courses, including 24 AP® courses, credit recovery and enrichment courses, and a selection of dual-credit options, VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), and Cognia. 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.
