NCTA Japan 2003

National Consortium for Teaching about Asia

The National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) is a nationwide organization aimed at helping K-14 teachers learn more about East Asia and apply their knowledge in the classroom. The program, which includes seminars, newsletters, and travel-study programs, is generously funded by the Freeman Foundation. NCTA is divided into 5 regions. Each region has a university that coordinates programs for their region: Columbia University, the Five College Center for East Asian Studies, Indiana University, the University of Colorado, and the University of Washington.

I strongly encourage all teachers who have the opportunity to attend an NCTA seminar. The 30-hour seminar includes lectures, teaching suggestions, guest speakers, Asian meals or snacks, books, and instructional materials. Once you have attended a seminar and incorporate teaching about Asia into your curriculum, you are eligible to apply for a travel-study program. Hopefully this presentation gives you an idea of how wonderful this experience is.

The national organization's website is at http://www.nctasia.org/. Information from the University of Washington's NCTA program, the East Asia Resource Center, can be viewed at http://depts.washington.edu/earc/. Find out more today so you can learn more about the fascinating cultures of East Asia.


© Linda Freeman 2003