Special to The Hays Daily News

The Chinese Academy, an educational opportunity for Fort Hays State University students, faculty and the community to learn about Chinese language and culture, will begin Feb. 6.

The academy meets from 1 to 5 p.m. every Saturday from then until April 17 on the second floor of the Memorial Union at FHSU. Children can enroll for $20 for the semester, while adults are free.

Classes include learning the Chinese language, Chinese arts such as paper cutting, folk songs and calligraphy, and recreational classes such as martial arts and ping pong.

A Chinese culture seminar, "China Talk," occurs every Saturday as well and is free and open to the public.

Those interested in enrolling should e-mail Cathy Chen at cff0205@hotmail.com with Chinese Academy in the subject line or call (785) 432-4025.

The Chinese Academy also is expanding its outreach program this semester to include an after-school program at Washington Elementary School to go along with programs already in place at O'Loughlin Elementary and the Hays Public Library.