Language Education—The Surge in Chinese Language Classes

This week, the New York Times reported that in American schools, both private and public, primary and secondary, there is growing interest in Chinese language education.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/education/21chinese.html?hpw

The article says:

“The number of students taking the Advanced Placement test in Chinese, introduced in 2007, has grown so fast that it is likely to pass German this year as the third most-tested A.P. language, after Spanish and French, said Trevor Packer, a vice president at the College Board.

….

Experts said several factors were fueling the surge in Chinese. Parents, students and educators recognize China’s emergence as an important country and believe that fluency in its language can open opportunities.”

Foreseeing this growing interest, Panda Land started to offer lessons and private tutoring for Chinese language education to children from 3 years old to high school students since January 2009. Currently several classes are offered each week. We use the textbook series published in China and endorsed by the Chinese government for teaching children of overseas Chinese families around the world. It is a very structured series with 4 books covering preschool levels and 12 books for grade levels. We started with the preschool level books to teach children in Panda Land as the introduction phase. We teach reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The Pinyin system is taught to facilitate the speaking. In addition to this formal textbook series, we also integrate materials from other sources, including the Ni Hao series published in Australia and used by many international schools around the world, as well as activity books to add cultural elements to the education. For private tutoring, we offer lessons to meet each individual’s interest and need, including working with schoolteachers to help students to meet school standards.

Many parents had told me that they wanted their children to learn Chinese. Some hope their children will be able to go to China for study once they get in college; others simply hope their children will be smart and have a good future. They all understand that learning Chinese is a long term pursuit and they need to get their children to start it now and keep studying. I am like these parents and have my own children learn Chinese.

Panda Land was established a full year ago, and we wish to provide Chinese education to more and more children. If you want your child to study Chinese or you know someone who wants their children to learn Chinese, Panda Land would like you and your friends to enjoy us today.