New Chinese class teaches language as well as culture

“Ni hao!” That means “hello” in Chinese.

According to Lai H. Mark, author of the book “Becoming Chinese American: A History of Communities and Institutions,” more than 2 million Americans speak a variety of Chinese.  Kirkwood students interested in learning about the language and culture may sign up for Elementary Chinese I, a new fall class being offered in the fall semester.

Students taking Elementary Chinese I will learn to speak, read and write Chinese at a basic level and explore the Chinese culture, customs, philosophy and history through in-class and online activities. This class will be taught by Alan Peterka, an instructional designer at Kirkwood.

 “I wanted to teach a Chinese class for years,” Peterka said.  “I knew that there was a Chinese class at Kirkwood in the past but it got cancelled. So I decided that I would teach Chinese. And personally, I like teaching Chinese.”

According to Peterka, the course will help students be more aware of the Chinese culture and it can help build their resumes for careers in the future. Students who transfer to schools that offer Chinese, such as the University of Iowa, can continue their studies there, he said.

 “There will be more Chinese classes (at Kirkwood) in the future if a lot of students sign up for this class,” he said.

The class will be offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 9:50 a.m.

Email Peterka at alan.peterka@kirkwood.edu for more information.