More US schools teach mandarin
(ABC News)
Updated: 2005-11-22 15:59

At the Driscoll public schools in Brookline, Mass., the kindergartners already know more Chinese than most Americans will learn in a lifetime.

The second graders can string sentences together, and the eighth graders are nearly fluent. In this school system, learning Mandarin is mandatory.

Carol Schraft, principal of the Michael Driscoll School, said the goal is to "educate children for the world as it's going to be — not of the world we're living in now."

Economists predict that by the time these five year olds enter the job market, China will be the world's second-largest economy.

"If we want to be doing business in China, we are going to need students who can function in Chinese and understand Chinese culture," said Vivian Stewart, vice president of the Asia Society.

School districts from Philadelphia to Portland, Ore., are now adding Mandarin programs.

"I'm not really sure what I want to be when I grow up, but I figure Chinese will keep me more prepared for whatever it is," said eighth grader Samsun Knight.