Pfeiffer University along with The Chinese Language Council International (also known as the Hanban) are opening another Confucius Institute (CI) in North Carolina. It will be located within Pfeiffer’s Charlotte Campus.
The Hanban began Confucius Institutes throughout the world to promote the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language and to create different exchanges and co-operations in the educational and cultural fields. The services offered by Confucius Institute include: Chinese language teaching; training Chinese language instructors and providing Chinese language teaching resources; holding the HSK examination (Chinese Proficiency Test) and tests for the Certification of Chinese Language Teachers; providing information and consultative services concerning China’s education, culture, and promoting the development of multi-culturalism. As of April 2009, 328 Confucius Institutes in 82 different countries and regions have been established.
In order to achieve this, CI establishes Chinese classrooms within primary and secondary schools, provides continuing education courses, helps Chinese businesses seeking to move into the local market or US businesses seeking to do business with China, and holds community wide events highlighting various aspects of Chinese arts, culture, history, and economics.
Faculty/Staff
Yan Weihong
Weihong Yan is a Professor of Chinese Language and Culture as well as Chinese Business in the School of Humanities at Pfeiffer University. He is the founder and Director of Confucius Institute of Pfeiffer University and the founder of the China Studies Program Center in the School of Humanities at Pfeiffer University. Professor Yan has more than ten years teaching experiences in Chinese as a Second Language and over twenty years of business experience regarding OEM, China Market Entry Consultation and Multinational Company operations in the Chinese Market. His strong business background comes from his experience as the CEO of ASA International Trading company, a part of the Strategic Solutions Holding Group. 2007, Professor Yan did charity trip as a Greater China ( China Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao) agency of six NBA players’ in Beijing to support 2008 Olympic Game, he was interviewed by China Tencent QQ, the the world’s third most popular IM servicer, Yahoo Sports, Sina.com Sports, CCTV.com sport and other ten world level medias in China. 2003, Professor Yan successfully set up Animation School between US-China at Silver Beach at Shandong Province.
Weihong Yan maintains a home in both the United States and China. He is involved in trading, transaction advisory. Highly connected to the local, provincial and national levels, Professor Yan has been involved in assisting both state and private Chinese companies increase their international reach as well as supporting U.S. universities and companies entering China.
Li Yan
Ms. Yanshu Li started professional dance training when she was five years old. By age twelve, she was awarded Excellence of Dancer in the province. She received the prestigious award for National Excellence of Dancer when she was only fifteen. Ms. Yanshu Li was a Silver Gold Winner of State Professional Dance Competition and Silver winner of National Level Competition in the People’s Republic of China.
She was the VP of De Art and Dance Institute at Shanxi Province as well as taught Chinese Folk Dance courses for six years. Many her students have been admitted to China’s national level professional dance schools. For her creation and choreography of Chinese folk dances, she was awarded by the state Professional Dance Association in China. Currently, Ms. Yanshu Li serves the Confucius Institute of Pfeiffer University.
Emily Neal
Emily Neal graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in May 2009. She majored in International Studies with a concentration on Asia and China studies. She was repeatedly awarded the Dean’s List Commendation from the College of Art and Sciences at UNCC. Emily also tutored both English and Chinese language to American and foreign students and worked closely with Pfeiffer’s Study Abroad and Humanities Departments in conjunction with UNCC programs. Currently, she is employed as a Chinese Culture Instructor at the Confucius Institute of Pfeiffer University and is Secretary to the Director of Pfeiffer CI.
Yuehong Li
Professor Yuehong Li is currently a Chinese teacher at Confucius Institute of Pfeiffer University. Professor Li received her master degree in Contrastive Analysis of Western and Chinese Culture as well as a certificate in Mandarin Level A from the Ministry of Education in China. Professor Li also has engaged in ESL Teaching at English College of Shanxi University for ten years. She was specifically selected to attend a 45-day CSL Training Program for overseas Confucius Institutes sponsored by the Chinese Language Council International. She successfully passed the Test for Chinese Teachers Overseas and obtained a CTP Certificate that allows her to teach at any Confucius Institutes in the world.
Hou Xiaomei
Professor Hou Xiaomei graduated from Shanxi University in 1999. She has taught English and ESL at the Foreign Languages College of Shanxi University. From 2002 to 2005, she studied for a master’s degree in English Language and Literature, with a concentration in Comparison and Translation between English and Chinese. Professor Hou gained a unique understanding of the difference between Chinese and English language and the underlying cultural precepts behind the two languages, which greatly benefits her teaching methods. She has received a University Teacher License from China, Test for English Majors Band 8 Certificate, and Chinese Mandarin National Certificate. After passing the demanding examinations of the Chinese Language Council International on July 2009, Professor Hou is now a certified Chinese instructor at Confucius Institute at Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Kevin Tong
Kevin is currently the Vice President, Finance Business Support Manager at Bank of America. Kevin joined Bank of America in 2005. Kevin’s most recent accomplishments include an international business partnership agreement he had obtained through negotiation with China Construction Bank, the 3rd largest bank of China. Prior to joining the banking industry, he worked for Springs Industries in Strategic Planning and Global Sourcing roles in Fort Mill, SC. Kevin was instrumental in expanding the company’s global sourcing volume, mainly from China, which has been a critical factor to the company’s long-term viability.Kevin received his undergraduate education in his native China. He earned his MA degree in Political Science from Ohio University in 1998. He focused his studies on International Relations and wrote his MA thesis on China in the Global Trade Regime. He also obtained an MBA degree from Wake Forest University in June 2000. He was a Charles Babcock Scholarship recipient from 1998 to 2000 because of his academic excellence.Kevin is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, very fond of Chinese and Western literature, arts and history. His teaching and research interests include Chinese business culture, corporate business strategy and subjects related to international business.
Liu Xing
Mr. Liu Xing instructed at the Taiyuan Normal University in Shanxi, China. His passionate and humorous way of teaching gained him the Meritorious Winner of Young Teacher Quality Contest in Taiyuan Normal University. He also received the Certificate of Chinese Mandarin Language for Level A from the Ministry of Education in China. Professor Liu completed the requirements from the Chinese Language Council International and currently teaches Chinese as a Second Language at the Confucius Institute of Pfeiffer University, Charlotte North Carolina.