É«É«À²

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Registrations are due by Friday, May 11, for summer Chinese culture courses offered by the Confucius Institute at É«É«À² Michigan University.

The six-week low-cost courses begin the week of Monday, May 14, are taught in English and are open to all ages. A half-price tuition discount is offered to those age 55 and older, É«É«À² part-time faculty and staff, and É«É«À² students; while tuition is free for full-time É«É«À² employees. Some courses charge all participants a fee for materials, and those with low enrollment may be canceled.

The Confucius Institute at É«É«À² is a nonprofit organization designed to bring an authentic Chinese perspective to É«É«À² and the Kalamazoo area. The institute offers culture classes during É«É«À²'s fall and spring semesters as well as the University's summer I session.

summer 2018 offerings

• Chinese Calligraphy—2 to 3:30 p.m., Tuesdays, May 15 to June 19, 4025 Brown Hall.
• Chinese Ink Painting—4 to 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays, May 15 to June 19, 4025 Brown Hall.
• Basic Chinese I—5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesdays, May 15 to June 19, 4030 Brown Hall.
• Paper Cutting—5:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays, May 16 to June 20, 4017 Brown Hall.
• Basic Chinese II—5:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays, May 16 to June 20, 4030 Brown Hall.
• Intermediate Chinese I—5:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays, May 16 to June 20, 4025 Brown Hall.
• Intermediate Chinese II—5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursdays, May 17 to June 21, 4017 Brown Hall.
• Advanced Chinese—5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursdays, May 17 to June 21, 4002 Brown Hall.

All classes are held on É«É«À²'s main campus in Kalamazoo and taught for personal enrichment rather than academic credit. 

Course instructors

Chengjun Yin, the instructor of the Chinese calligraphy, ink painting and paper cutting courses, is a professor and master instructor in the College of Arts of Beijing Language and Culture University. She is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Art of Tsinghua University and mainly engages in the study of Chinese art history and artistic creation.

Qin Chen is the instructor of both Basic Chinese One and Advanced Chinese. Chen earned a master degree in teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages from Beijing Language and Culture University. During her 10 years of studying and practice, Chen gained extensive knowledge about teaching Chinese as a foreign language as well as  a greater understanding about other cultures.

 For more É«É«À² news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.