The American Push to Learn Mandarin

The Washington Post reports:

More than 1.3 billion people worldwide speak Chinese, and about 885 million of those people speak Mandarin, China's official language and dominant dialect. In the United States, only about 24,000 students in grades seven through 12 study the language, according to a report from the Asia Society, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that seeks to build ties between the United States and Asia. But educators say those students reflect a steady growth in the number of Americans wanting to learn Chinese.

"People are finally beginning to pay attention to Mandarin as a major cultural and economic prospect for students," said Michael H. Levine, executive director of education for the Asia Society. "The push is coming from the defense [community] and government and grass-roots interest from parents."

To read more:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/25/AR2006082501418.html?referrer=email

Comments

[Beijing Girl]

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[JessLau]

That is a great article, and I also think that Chinese will become a more popular second language with time. However, for young children I really don't think Chinese is the best to start with. Something like French is easier, contains English-like words, and learning it actually helps improve English. Learning Chinese on the other hand has almost no similarities to English. Furthermore, for more people traveling to China only the basics are necessary. For business purposes, most educated Chinese with know English. I'm speaking from experience here - if a Chinese speaks English, then they will prefer to speak English with you even if you know some Chinese. So usually the basics are enough. Here are some That is a great article, and I also think that Chinese will become a more popular second language with time. However, for young children I really don't think Chinese is the best to start with. Something like French is easier, contains English-like words, and learning it actually helps improve English. Learning Chinese on the other hand has almost no similarities to English. Furthermore, for more people traveling to China only the basics are necessary. For business purposes, most educated Chinese with know English. I'm speaking from experience here - if a Chinese speaks English, then they will prefer to speak English with you even if you know some Chinese. So usually the basics are enough. Here are some free lessons to learn Mandarin that will probably provide you with more than enough to get started. that will probably provide you with more than enough to get started: http://www.learnchineseez.com/lessons/mandarin/

[Chung Lu]

I agree with the contents of this blog. Today Studying Mandarin in China is becoming popular.
http://nextstepchina.org