Academic Director, Chunman Gissing, has spent a lifetime bridging Chinese and US cultures through balancing a life of scholarship with engaged instruction in the areas of language and culture. Originally from Taiwan, Ms Gissing earned her MA and pursued Ph.D. work in Comparative Literature at the University of Washington.   The blend of East and West cultural and educational experiences and her long career in language teaching has equipped Chunman Gissing with a unique understanding in different learning styles and skills to teach effectively.   She is well-versed and practiced in proficiency based communicative language teaching.   She began her teaching career at an International School in China in 1995.   Since then she has taught at college and pre-college institutions in the US.   She has worked as a Mandarin teacher trainer both in the US and internationally for the past 8 years.   Ms Gissing is currently a Mandarin teacher and Head of Asian Language Program at an independent college prep school in Seattle, WA where she started the Mandarin program.   She serves on the board of the Chinese Language Teachers Association Washington State and on the Education Advisory Board of the Confucius Institute of the State of Washington, as well as in the capacity of Mandarin examiner for the International Baccalaureate Organization.   In her various capacities, she often informs and educates the community about the various Mandarin assessment schemes and learning goals and strategies..   With the name of Chunman, full of spring, Ms. Gissing is the embodiment of a passionate, energetic, fun loving, dynamic language educator! With the team of wonderful educators at Foundation Global Education, she looks forward to experience China with you!

Student Life Director: TBA

Teachers and TA’s: Both programs will be supervised by teachers and administrators from schools in the West with experience and reputations for their ability to work with and inspire high school students.  

In addition we will bring in special local experts from the academic and arts worlds to provide specific presentations and studio work in the classes.

Workshops will generally be taught by teachers from the Gezhi High School faculty.  

Supervisors and teachers will be supported by Teaching Assistants, college students drawn from leading Chinese and Western universities.   These TAs will work closely with the students: leading class discussions, providing interpretation for guest speakers who use only Mandarin, guiding students around Shanghai, living close to the students in the residences, and serving as great sources of information for our participants.   In addition, each TA will be assigned a group of students as advisees to pay special attention to throughout the session.  

Accommodations: Students, teachers, and teaching assistants will reside in hotels near Gezhi High School.   Students will have twin-bed rooms furnished with air-conditioning, hot water, en-suite bathrooms, linens, and house-keeping services.   Near the hotels is a large city park with lawns, basketball courts, and a jogging track.  

During the excursion to Suzhou and the homestay in Shanghai, students will stay in the air-conditioned homes of local high school students.