Meeting Demand: Schools Expanding Mandarin Chinese for 2014

In a move designed to meet student and parent demand, the Marlborough Public Schools are looking to add a full-time Mandarin Chinese position to double the number of students who can learn the language.

“We are not able to enroll all the students who want to be in Mandarin," said Interim Superintdent Steven Dlott. "It is a really a vibrant language for the 20th century."

The addition of another full-time position to teach Mandarin Chinese will allow for 75 students in grade 7 who could not take the language to take it in the coming year. Currently 50 7th graders and 75 8th graders are taking Mandarin, said Dlott.

The students taking the classes are doing very well this year, said Chinese Teacher Qiong Liu. There is a lot to learn with Mandarin Chinese, she said, explaining that it is not just the sounds of the language but symbols and brush strokes of the different characters. The students who have completed a year of Chinese will have full immersion classes in the language next year, writing and speaking in the language.

"They are developing literacy in this language," said Liu. "I just break it down then I teach."

Seventh Grader Jack Hathaway has enjoyed learning the language and will continue studying it next year.

"I like to write the characters and all the different symbols," he said. "It's so much different than English."

Seventh Grader Leah Magno wanted the challenge of the Chinese language in addition to having an interest in the Chinese culture. Studying Chinese has been difficult, she said, but she spoke highly of her teacher and said the language is "just amazing."

"It's a challenge and it's always good to challenge yourself," said Magno.

The additional position coincides with Mandarin Chinese becoming a requirement for STEM students who will take two years of the language, said Dlott. Once they reach 9th grade they will be able to switch to Spanish, Latin or French, he said.

The addition to the Mandarin Chinese program also comes from what the district has been hearing from area businesses, many of which operate internationally, said Dlott.

“Our trade has expanded significantly with China," he said.