The opening ceremony of the Confucius Classroom at Maryknoll School, which was jointly built by Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), BFSU Foreign Languages School (BFLS), and Maryknoll School, was held virtually on Sept 15. Representatives from the three institutions attended the ceremony. 

The Confucius Classroom at Maryknoll School holds its opening ceremony on Sept 15.

Yang Dan, deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and president of the university, expressed his congratulations on the opening of the classroom at Maryknoll School and thanked the school for supporting its construction.

Yang pointed out that the classroom will help promote language and cultural exchanges between China and the US, and will contribute to the construction of a harmonious world.

“Maryknoll School has rich practical experience in immersion teaching. BFLS has carried out similar research on language teaching reform as well. The Confucius Classroom will help boost further cooperation and communication in curriculum, teaching modes and student activities between both sides,” said Lin Weimin, assistant to the BFSU president and president of BFLS.

Yang Dan (L), deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and president of the university, speaks at the opening ceremony of the Confucius Classroom at Maryknoll School on Sept 15.

Fr. EJ Resinto, director of the Maryknoll School Board, said the establishment of the classroom will inject new impetus into the school’s Chinese immersion program, which has been operating for five years. 

Shana Tong, president of Maryknoll School and director of the Confucius Classroom, expressed her expectations for enhancing in-depth exchanges and bilateral friendship between Chinese and American institutions, and promoting the Chinese immersion program to become a demonstration project in Hawaii and other parts of the United States. 

BFSU leadership attend the opening ceremony of the Confucius Classroom at Maryknoll School on Sept 15.

After the opening ceremony, the classroom held its first council meeting and released its annual work and financial reports. Following the reports, directors from the three institutions exchanged views on the development of the classroom and cooperation between Maryknoll School and BFLS.

As the only Confucius Classroom in America built by BFSU and the first and only Chinese immersion program jointly operated by the three institutions, the classroom is committed to facilitating basic education in Hawaii and providing projects and services related to Chinese language and culture.