Move over Spanish and French, there’s a new language soon to be spoken here.
The Brandon School District is considering an exploratory class in the Mandarin Chinese language for middle school seventh grade classes. Lorrie McMahon, Brandon School District director for curriculum discussed the class, which could start sometime next year, with the school board on Monday night.
‘The class is necessary for the students, due to a growing work force that will enter a global economy. Many of the Chinese people can speak English in addition to their native language,? said McMahon. ‘We received a grant for this class and are in the process of securing a teacher for the Brandon School District.?
With the help of Oakland Schools, a Mandarin Chinese teacher will be selected via video conferencing and chosen from a field of several candidates. McMahon said a local family has agreed to host the Chinese teacher for the yearlong stay.
The Brandon School District is not alone, teaching the Mandarin Chinese language in county school districts began several years ago.
Tresa Zumsteg, Deputy Superintendent for Oakland Schools, said the program to bring Chinese into the classroom now incorporates 14 school districts in Oakland County. Birmingham, Bloomfield, Novi and Troy schools piloted the first programs. Currently, the language is taught in 14 school districts in Oakland County.
‘We have some new high school requirements coming up in the next few years and foreign languages are on that curriculum,? said Zumsteg. A contingent from the Oakland Schools visited China last year, in a trip funded in part by the Chinese government to explore the possibilities of the teacher exchanges with Oakland County.
‘Keep in mind the Chinese Government is interested in the automobile business’key in many of our communities. Our county leaders emphasize that a strong educational base attracts development’it starts in our schools.?
In some Oakland County Schools, prechool-age students are learning the Chinese language. ‘Research shows that with this immersion method, children can learn up to 150 Chinese symbols in nine months,? said Zumsteg.
Standard Mandarin, also known as Standard Chinese, is the official modern Chinese spoken language used by the mainland China, Taiwan, and is one of the four official languages of Singapore.