This book introduces in detail the situation of Chinese language education in American universities from nine aspects – the overall background, historical development, team building and teacher training, textbook compilation, teaching of language elements, classroom teaching, classes of heritage learners, summer and overseas programs, and studies of successful learners. It boasts broad horizons, substantial contents, plentiful materials, and convincing conclusions. Starting with the historical development of each topic, this book tries to put Chinese language education within the framework of China-US relations and Chinese studies, giving a macroscopic as well as microscopic review and interpretation of the topics; while giving priority to practice, the book strives to combine theoretical studies with teaching practice; lessons are drawn from the teaching and research of other foreign languages in the United States. Besides, the interviews with Chinese teaching experts have enriched the perspectives and oral history of the topics in the book. 

Liang Xia is a professor and person in charge of the Chinese language program in Washington University at St. Louis and the director of the CET Beijing summer program. Liang used to be the director of Duke University’s summer program in Beijing and used to work for Princeton in Beijing, Middlebury College Chinese summer program, and Beijing Normal University. Liang has been a CFL teacher trainer in several programs for many years and has published dozens of papers and book reviews in various academic journals and conferences in addition to a number of textbooks and reference books.

1. An overview of the macroscopic historical context and an all-encompassing introduction to Chinese language education in American universities;

2. A big help to novice teachers, emphasizing teaching practice and highlighting specific teaching techniques;

3. With expert interviews providing more perspectives and increasing readability.

For teachers, students and researchers in the field of teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages (TCSOL), as well as readers interested in Chinese language education in American universities, such as pre-service teachers and volunteers who are going to or determined to teach Chinese in American universities