Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: Chinese Language Education at Seton Hall

Recently, Dongdong Chen, Ph.D., director of the Chinese Program, presented her research on Seton Hall University’s “Three Johns” at the 3rd International Conference on the History of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, held in Geneva. In the mid-20th century, American higher education began to place increasing emphasis on the teaching of non-Western languages and cultures. Against this backdrop, Seton Hall University emerged as one of the pioneers in promoting Chinese language education and Asian studies in the United States. Notably, three distinguished scholars — each bearing the English name “John” — converged at Seton Hall during this pivotal moment in history.

They were John C. H. Wu, a jurist versed in both Chinese and Western legal traditions and diplomat; John B. Tsu, a visionary strategist in language education; and John DeFrancis, a linguist and innovator in textbook development. Despite their different academic backgrounds, these three Johns together created a unique intellectual legacy at Seton Hall University, leaving a lasting mark on the history of Chinese language education in the U.S.

Among the trio, John C. H. Wu played a foundational role as the “first John,” whose historical importance cannot be replaced. In 1951, while teaching at the School of Law, Wu helped establish the Institute of Far Eastern Studies, which offered Chinese courses in the following spring semester. The Institute later attracted the “second John,” John B. Tsu, who made a forward-thinking move by founding the Department of Asian Studies, and recruiting the “third John,” John DeFrancis, to create Chinese language textbooks. Five decades later, the audio recordings from the renowned “DeFrancis series” are still sought after by learners of Chinese around the world. The TLTC has now made them available online. 

The academic community formed by the “Three Johns” during their tenure at Seton Hall represents a uniquely valuable subject of scholarly inquiry. Yet, this exceptional group has not been systematically documented in existing literature. Chen’s research addresses this gap, shedding light on their collective contributions and lasting impact. She revealed how the pioneering John C. H. Wu, with international vision, traditional erudition, and academic endeavors represent both a milestone in his personal career and a chapter in the history of Chinese language education in America. It is worth noting that Wu was later recommended by Tsu to transfer from the School of Law to the Department of Asian Studies, where he taught Chinese philosophy and literature until his retirement. Chen also traced the significant contributions of John B. Tsu and John DeFrancis during their time at Seton Hall—most notably, their efforts to establish Chinese language teaching as a recognized profession in the United States through the founding of the Chinese Language Teachers Association and the launch of its academic journal. She found that the three Johns shared a defining trait: they were all versatile servant leaders—visionary, wise, creative, and strategic, yet grounded in hard work and unwavering dedication.

Continuing its tradition of innovation and excellence, the Chinese Program at Seton Hall remains committed to advancing student learning. Under the leadership of Peter Shoemaker, a new course—CHIN 1104: "Introductory Chinese for Healthcare Providers I "— will premiere this fall, specifically designed for Nursing and Interprofessional Health Sciences students preparing to become future healthcare leaders. Click here or contact [email protected] for more information. 

Categories: Arts and Culture