About the Materials

AskAsia.org is an online resource that helps visitors explore critical questions about Asia and global themes. The site features scholarly content about Asia and US-Asia relations; expert K-12 teaching and learning strategies; and useful learning resources, such as maps, photographs, art images, glossaries, timelines and more. It has been our practice for over a decade to bring scholars and master teachers together to create academically and pedagogically sound materials.

The authors of essays and curriculum represent a wide spectrum of viewpoints with no overarching or shared interpretations. Readers may note sources representing many perspectives, at times contradictory. These varied interpretations should help students begin to understand the complexities of Asian cultures, histories and events over time.

For Teachers
This website serves as a resource from which teachers can pick and choose parts of essays, particular lessons, and teaching ideas that suit their individual teaching purpose. For example, some teaching and learning materials on this site are short: you will find many worksheets or document-based questions that may be completed in one class period or as a short homework assignment. Other materials, particularly those that explore important trends, philosophies or complex histories, use inquiry-driven models of teaching and learning.

For Students
Asia and the United States have been connected geopolitically, economically and culturally for centuries. And as our world becomes more interconnected, it is critical for all Americans, particularly young citizens preparing for life in the 21st century, to know more about Asia, the world's largest, most populous and fastest-growing region. AskAsia for students provides resources and context on global issues, with a particular focus on examples from Asian countries and cultures. Interactive games and activities for kids introduce new languages, arts, stories, and ideas from across Asia.

Youth-Produced Content
As youth populations around the world increase (experts estimate that youth account for 14-20% of Asia's total population), Asia Society aims to promote youth voices and perspectives by publishing content produced by young people worldwide. Often youth-produced content is created in conjunction with an Asia Society program or event. Asia Society works with youth contributors to ensure that their work is objective and balanced, and may edit youth content for length, clarity, and accuracy. All youth contributors are given an opportunity to review, revise, and approve their submissions before they are published. We will identify youth contributors only by first name, location (city and country), and/or photo to ensure their privacy online.

AskAsia.org is an educational initiative of the Asia Society. Asia Society, founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, is an international organization dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States. Asia Society is an American nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

To learn more about the status of Asia and international studies in the American education system, read the landmark report, Asia in the Schools: Preparing Young Americans for Today’s Interconnected World (76-page PDF). For latest information and to get involved with supporting international studies and foreign language learning in American schools, visit AskAsia.org's companion website, InternationalEd.org.

All AskAsia.org material may be duplicated and distributed for classroom use.