"Why Learn Chinese Competition"
Fall 2011
WACE's "Why Learn Chinese Competition" is an written/visual submission-based competition that will take place this fall. Students
all over Washington can enter for a chance to win an iPad 2 or the cash equivalent by creatively answering the question:
"Why should we, students in America, be learning Chinese?"
all over Washington can enter for a chance to win an iPad 2 or the cash equivalent by creatively answering the question:
"Why should we, students in America, be learning Chinese?"
More Info...
Competition Objectives
Our goal is to generate interest in learning Chinese among American students, to give them the competitive edge and global perspective needed to succeed in the modern-day economy, and to increase Chinese language learning capacity in Washington.
Like the Obama Administration’s goal for the 100,000 Strong Initiative (to send 100,000 American students to study in China over the next four years and immerse them in the culture of a country playing a huge role in global affairs), our vision for this competition is to help American students gain the competitive edge and global perspective needed to succeed in the modern-day economy by prompting them to think, “Why should we learn about China?” Through this grassroots initiative, we wish to engage and prepare students to enter the dynamic global environment of the 21st century, where we—the younger generation—will be responsible for maintaining the growing economic, political, and cultural ties between the US and China. Ultimately, we hope to spread awareness about the growing importance of learning Chinese, and provide a platform of expression for the reserve of community support for bringing Chinese into our schools.
Why Washington State?
Washington holds a unique place in US-China relations: located on the Pacific Coast, Washington is a prime gateway to international trade with China. Additionally, many Washington-based corporate giants such as Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon are heavily engaged with China. With its ever-increasing potential in the global market, China presents numerous opportunities for trade and foreign relations to Washington state. Currently, Seattle and Chongqing enjoy an active, vibrant relationship with exchange programs in the areas of education, arts and culture, science and technology, business, and government. As sister cities, Seattle and Chongqing have many opportunities to work closely with each other in fostering international cooperation and Chinese education.
Who can participate?
Middle and high school students (both those who have taken or are taking Chinese and those who have not taken Chinese) who reside in Washington State.
Competition Description
Middle and high school students who are studying Chinese or want to learn can submit either:
Online submissions only between October 1– November 15, 2011. The entry must be original, in English, and address the question: "Why should we learn Chinese?" Limit one entry per contestant.
All entries will be reviewed by a judging panel composed of certified teachers and professionals with China experience. They will be looking for superior ideas, message, and content rather than writing/performing skills. The judges will select 1 grand prize winner, 2 runner-ups, and 3 honorable mentions.
The grand prize winner will win an iPad 2 or the cash equivalent. Runner-ups will win a cash award of $250 each, and honorable mentions will each win a cash award of $100. The top 30 finalists will receive a letter of recognition and an invitation to the awards ceremony at the Seattle Chinese Garden, where they will get a chance to meet top business leaders and officials from all over the state.
Our goal is to generate interest in learning Chinese among American students, to give them the competitive edge and global perspective needed to succeed in the modern-day economy, and to increase Chinese language learning capacity in Washington.
Like the Obama Administration’s goal for the 100,000 Strong Initiative (to send 100,000 American students to study in China over the next four years and immerse them in the culture of a country playing a huge role in global affairs), our vision for this competition is to help American students gain the competitive edge and global perspective needed to succeed in the modern-day economy by prompting them to think, “Why should we learn about China?” Through this grassroots initiative, we wish to engage and prepare students to enter the dynamic global environment of the 21st century, where we—the younger generation—will be responsible for maintaining the growing economic, political, and cultural ties between the US and China. Ultimately, we hope to spread awareness about the growing importance of learning Chinese, and provide a platform of expression for the reserve of community support for bringing Chinese into our schools.
Why Washington State?
Washington holds a unique place in US-China relations: located on the Pacific Coast, Washington is a prime gateway to international trade with China. Additionally, many Washington-based corporate giants such as Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon are heavily engaged with China. With its ever-increasing potential in the global market, China presents numerous opportunities for trade and foreign relations to Washington state. Currently, Seattle and Chongqing enjoy an active, vibrant relationship with exchange programs in the areas of education, arts and culture, science and technology, business, and government. As sister cities, Seattle and Chongqing have many opportunities to work closely with each other in fostering international cooperation and Chinese education.
Who can participate?
Middle and high school students (both those who have taken or are taking Chinese and those who have not taken Chinese) who reside in Washington State.
Competition Description
Middle and high school students who are studying Chinese or want to learn can submit either:
- A written entry: an essay, poem, or song (300 to 500 words), or
- A video entry: of a song, poem, speech, or another creative format (5 minutes max)
Online submissions only between October 1– November 15, 2011. The entry must be original, in English, and address the question: "Why should we learn Chinese?" Limit one entry per contestant.
All entries will be reviewed by a judging panel composed of certified teachers and professionals with China experience. They will be looking for superior ideas, message, and content rather than writing/performing skills. The judges will select 1 grand prize winner, 2 runner-ups, and 3 honorable mentions.
The grand prize winner will win an iPad 2 or the cash equivalent. Runner-ups will win a cash award of $250 each, and honorable mentions will each win a cash award of $100. The top 30 finalists will receive a letter of recognition and an invitation to the awards ceremony at the Seattle Chinese Garden, where they will get a chance to meet top business leaders and officials from all over the state.
Current Support
Government Officials US Ambassador to China Gary Locke See complete letter of support >> Governor Christine O. Gregoire See complete letter of support >> Congressman Rick Larsen See complete letter of support >> Sponsors/Partners: Seattle Chinese Garden, Washington State China Relations Council, Seattle-Chongqing Sister City Association, Confucius Institute of Washington, Chinese Language Teachers Association, Seattle Youth Venture, Microsoft CHIME, Northwest Chinese School, National Council of Chinese Americans (美国华人全国委员会), Center for Chinese Education Services(北美华文教育服务中心), Evergreen Bilingual Institute, Hong Kong Association of Washington Other Supporting Organizations: Asia Society, Teachers of a Critical Language Program, Spokane Chinese Dance Association, Asian Pacific Tours, Chinese Coalition, Newport High School Chinese Club |
Sponsorship Opportunities & Benefits
By sponsoring us, you are helping us give back to the community by providing more students with opportunities to learn Chinese—a language skill that is rapidly growing in demand as China's economy continues to surge forward—and connect with the Chinese culture through exchange programs.
We would appreciate anything that your organization can contribute, whether it is lending a name to support our initiative, donating funds/products, donating plane tickets, providing contacts (especially with the media), or participating in the awards ceremony.
To help promote our sponsors and spread awareness of the competition, we are implementing a state-wide media initiative.
Benefits of becoming a sponsor:
We would appreciate anything that your organization can contribute, whether it is lending a name to support our initiative, donating funds/products, donating plane tickets, providing contacts (especially with the media), or participating in the awards ceremony.
To help promote our sponsors and spread awareness of the competition, we are implementing a state-wide media initiative.
Benefits of becoming a sponsor:
- Advertising within the community through state-wide media (newspapers, radio stations), community fairs and events, fliers, libraries, school districts, Chinese schools, Asian centers, and word-of-mouth.
- Your logo or link featured on our website, facebook (the most effective ways to reach students today), twitter, all event webpages, sponsors’ and supporting organizations’ websites or blogs, websites of local newspapers, and all materials handed out to all event attendees and consumers of our services.
- The chance to establish a meaningful relationship with communities all over Washington, and with the younger, internet-savvy generation of American students.
- The chance to attend and/or set up a booth at the awards ceremony to advertise your company/organization.
- The opportunity to help American youth become aware of China’s vital role in the current global economy, and to invest in the next generation of China experts and global citizens.