Survey Shows Lack of Asian Studies

June 21, 2011

News Release

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - The Asian Learning Center of Indiana, currently in incubation through The International Center, has recently released the results of a statewide needs assessment survey. The survey helped identify Indiana schools’ current Asian Studies resources and their levels of interest in conducting related programs. 159 educators and professionals from the state’s K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and some other organizations, participated in this survey.

According to the results, the majority of schools in Indiana do not have Asian language courses available due to lack of resources, both human and financial, to support this type of programs. Most participants, however, indicated that they would be interested in offering Asian education programs if their schools were provided with the resources and tools for Asian Studies or languages courses.

“We did this survey to identify the state’s current Asian education needs and how the Asian Learning Center of Indiana could help prepare our children for future job and business opportunities,” said Weilin Long, director of ALCI.

“We are excited to see the strong need for Asian education resources, and we look forward to partnering with universities, K-12 schools and other organizations in developing and providing Asian studies and language learning tools and resources at multiple school settings.”

In total, 19% of the respondents indicated that they offer Asian studies, and 34% have Asian language classes currently in place. A total of 89% said that if their schools were provided with the resources and tools for Asian studies and/or language they would be interested in offering those types of programs.

Source: The International Center of Indiana