Howell parents set up Chinese classes
Lansing State Journal, MI - Jan 28, 2008

Parents of a Howell Public Schools fifth-grader have found a way to continue a Chinese language class that the district's curriculum committee canceled.

The ever-growing awareness of China as a global economic force has other Michigan school districts offering Chinese language and culture classes to their students.

Lansing, Van Buren, Traverse City, Berkley and Lamphere school districts have classrooms where students spend half the day learning in English and the other learning in Mandarin Chinese, officials said. …

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LANGUAGE BARRIER
Centre Daily Times, PA - Jan 26, 2008

Klein demonstrated another stretching position, leading the kids in more foreign languages: French, German, and Japanese. By spring, the students also will learn to count to 10 in Russian, Greek, Mandarin and Hebrew. …

"…Chinese [is the] the second most common foreign language spoken in the nation, according to 2005 U.S. Census Bureau data.

Spanish is the most common. French is third.

About 20 percent of Americans ages 5 and older speak a language other than English.

…

The long-range goal of Young Scholars is to see its graduates proficient in both Spanish and Chinese by the time they reach eighth grade — when students at most other schools are just getting started learning a foreign language.

Read the full article here LANGUAGE BARRIER

Learning while in motion Boston Globe, United States - January 20, 2008 40 years ago, Dr. James J. Asher was already carrying out research showing that students of Chinese could learn the language faster and retain it longer when they actively responded to commands, such as "put the blue pencil on the red book." He subsequently developed an instructional method, known as TPR, or total physical response, which has been used to teach foreign languages in this country and abroad. … Read more Learning while in motion

A good reason to learn Chinese
Scripps News, DC - 30 minutes ago

There are many reasons to learn Chinese. Some programs emphasize that learning Chinese and other foreign languages helps a child's brain develop — especially at an early age. Some career counselors and professors argue that you can earn a lot of money by associating yourself with the economic juggernaut known as China.. …

To be friends with this emerging superpower, we need to build relationships based on trust, cooperation and respect. The key to developing trust and building bridges is through communication, and the key to communicating effectively is to understand each other's languages. …

Read the full article,  A good reason to learn Chinese

Chris Lin: Why learn Chinese?
Providence Journal, RI - January 13, 2008

The key to developing trust and building bridges is through communication, and the key to communicating effectively is to understand each other’s languages.

Some programs emphasize that learning Chinese and other foreign languages helps a child’s brain develop — especially at an early age. …

Read more about.. Why learn Chinese?

Lots of languages, not so many teachers
Meriden Record-Journal, CT - 46 minutes ago

Today, participation in world language studies in Connecticut schools is on the rise - at the same time that it's increasingly difficult to find qualified language teachers. There's a push toward offering instruction at earlier grades and a growing emphasis on responding to the Bush administration's National Security Language Initiative, which promotes spreading the study of languages like Chinese and Arabic….

… teachers is mirrored throughout the nation, said Marty Abbott, director of education for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. …

Read more about Lots of languages, not so many teachers

Speaking the world's languages
Cincinnati Enquirer, OH - Dec 29, 2007

Two years of high school Spanish class might teach your teenager how to engage in light conversation or even how to conjugate a reflexive verb. But it won't allow him to share complex thoughts, fully enjoy artistic experiences or, one day, conduct business in Spanish.

For that, students need to begin language study much earlier, continue it much longer and approach it in a sequential manner, according to recent reports….

… Security Language Initiative, which has spent $80 million to increase the teaching of Chinese, Arabic, Farsi and other critical foreign languages. …

Read more about Speaking the world's languages

CNU offers Chinese-language classes
Daily Press, VA - Jan 2, 2008

Christopher Newport University has joined the ranks of schools trying to harness surging interest in Chinese affairs and culture by starting an academic program in the language spoken by nearly a billion people…

The US government also has fueled interest in Chinese, listing it as a "critical need" language. The designation is meant to encourage more Americans to …

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Usted habla espanol?
Alexandria Echo Press, MN - December 29. 2007

Typically, in the United States, foreign language classes are introduced at the middle school level.  And typically, it’s just the basics while more in-depth foreign language classes don’t often begin until the senior high level.

Students often choose between learning the language of the French, German or Spanish cultures or nowadays, even Mandarin Chinese.

However, Alexandria School District 206 is looking at beginning foreign languages at an earlier age – the elementary school level. …