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RELATED LINKS Press kit Press Contact Heather Singmaster Asia Society 725 Park Avenue New York, NY 10021 212-327-9336 hsingmaster@asiasoc.org	ON THIS PAGE Announcements Press clippings: International Education Press Clippings: Chinese Language Archives Announcements [ARCHIVES] Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Releases Global Education Policy Statement Website This statement identifies five major education challenges being faced in the 21st century. It also recommends strategies to address these challenges. Department of Education "News Parents Can Use" TV Program to Feature Foreign Language Learning Website "Teaching Foreign Languages: Understanding the World and Helping Our Students Compete," aired on November 21, but is archived on the site above. Press Clippings [ARCHIVE] [CHINESE LANGUAGE ARTICLES] District Puts All the World in Classrooms (New York Times, May 16, 2008) \| full story Excerpt: "In other instances of educational globalism, New Jersey, Connecticut and more than 20 other states have convened task forces or held conferences on globalization in recent years, some of them appointing international-relations specialists to coordinate school programs." What Makes Finnish Kids So Smart? (Wall Street Journal, February 29, 2008) \| full story Excerpt: "The academic prowess of Finland's students has lured educators from more than 50 countries in recent years to learn the country's secret, including an official from the U.S. Department of Education. What they find is simple but not easy: well-trained teachers and responsible children. Early on, kids do a lot without adults hovering. And teachers create lessons to fit their students. "We don't have oil or other riches. Knowledge is the thing Finnish people have," says Hannele Frantsi, a school principal." Language-Immersion Elementary School Coming to South End (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 17, 2008) \| full story Excerpt: "Building on the popularity of the John Stanford International School, Seattle Public Schools will start a second international elementary school for students wishing to become bilingual." World's Schools Teach U.S. a Lesson (Christian Science Monitor, November 14, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "Susan Zelman, head of Ohio's education department, has visited classrooms in China, India, and Japan. She's met young people with whom her students will potentially be competing – and collaborating – when they start careers. And she's impressed. In Ohio, "our economy is in the tubes," she says, "so there's really an economic need to think about, How can we build the workforce?... How can we build a world-class learning system?"" Tongue-Tied: Learning a Second Language Can Boost Your Career, But Its Costly (RIS Media, September 18, 2007) \| full story Excerpt:"Especially in jobs in finance and sales, learning key languages — such as Mandarin, Arabic and Japanese — could make sense. Workers who depend on commissions or are looking to introduce products overseas could also benefit, experts say. But bilingualism doesn’t come cheap. You’ll have to spend anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 or more for classes that will give you proficiency in a second language." The Mythical Million (Newsweek International, August 20, 2007) \| full story Beijing Bureau Chief Melinda Liu and Special Correspondent Sudip Mazumdar report that while China produced more than 600,000 engineers in 2005 alone, and India nearly 500,000 technical grads annually, underfunding and a lack of reliable universities is producing serious educational crises that could soon wreak havoc on their economies. English for Everyone (Newsweek International, August 20, 2007) \| full story Special Correspondent Jonathan Adams and Special Correspondent Max Hirsch report that even though some 40 million non-native speakers now study Mandarin worldwide, in cities from Brussels to Beijing, English rules. It is now the common language spoken in multinational firms, top universities and the scientific community. Babies Offered Language Classes (LA Daily News, August 11, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "A Santa Clarita company will offer Spanish, German, French and other language lessons to infants at a time when a study has criticized "Baby Einstein" and other learning tools for the very young. Early exposure to foreign tongues plants a seed that blooms later in life, says Tara-Anne Johnson, owner of A Small World in Saugus." Column: Schools Committed to Global Literacy (Tomah Journal (WI), August 9, 2007) \| full story Op-Ed by Wisconsin Superintendent of Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster Excerpt: "Across the state, Wisconsin educators are using the Department of Public Instruction curriculum guide for international education, the first of its kind in the nation. They are listening to world literacy recommendations from Wisconsin movers and shakers-leaders in business and government who engaged with the International Education Council that Gov. Jim Doyle and I formed in 2003." High School is Thinking Globally (Boston Globe, July 22, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "Hoping to broaden students' knowledge of the world, Needham High School is launching a global competency program that will combine travel abroad, community service, and foreign language programs...Under the program, students would travel abroad, perform community service involving another culture (either abroad or locally), show foreign language competency at a fourth-year level, and engage in side projects from reading books to preparing dishes from other countries. Those who complete the requirements will earn a certificate in global competence." Educators Appeal For More Global Teaching (Voice of America, July 4, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "Top U.S. educators and prominent business leaders say Tuesday, more than ever before in U.S. history, the nation must provide students with a good international education. They say if the United States is to continue competing in an increasingly interconnected world, its next generation of leaders need to be internationally savvy. In New York, VOA's Mona Ghuneim has the story." State Board Refuses to Require Foreign Language Studies Because of High Cost (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 25, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "To meet the needs of today's global economy, some states are now requiring that all students learn a foreign language. But Pennsylvania has decided that such a mandate would be "irresponsible," because it would cost too much and because there are too few certified foreign language instructors, said state board of education Chairman Karl Girton. Special Section in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Overcoming Our Language Barriers Including: Speaking the Language of Globalization (Cincinatti Enquirer, June 17, 2007) \| full story Op-Ed by John J. Castellani, president of Business Roundtable: Excerpt: "The business community has long called for stronger math and science programs and the need to double the number of science, technology, engineering and math graduates with bachelor's degrees by 2015. But as a 2006 report by the Committee for Economic Development notes, businesses require "employees with knowledge of foreign languages and cultures to market products to customers around the globe and to work effectively with foreign employees and partners in other countries." It's time for business leaders and concerned community members to sound a new clarion call that will wake up policymakers and educators to the importance of teaching foreign languages to our children." 'Soft Skills' in Big Demand (Education Week - Diplomas Count, June 12, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "The approach to learning is one response to national concern among policy and business leaders that teenagers are emerging from high school without the set of skills they need to thrive in college and the workplace. Some experts refer to those competencies as “soft” or “applied” skills. Some call them 21st-century skills. In an increasingly global, technological economy, they say, it isn’t enough to be academically strong. Young people must also be able to work comfortably with people from other cultures, solve problems creatively, write and speak well, think in a multidisciplinary way, and evaluate information critically. And they need to be punctual, dependable, and industrious." Global Competition Forces New Learning (Carolina Channel 14, June 11, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: ""Other countries are catching up to us and doing better, and they are creating a much more robust higher education system," says Holly Kuzmich of the U.S. Department of Education. Experts say Chinese is the new Latin, and most agree that knowing a foreign language is critical to a student's future success. Surprisingly, only 44 percent of high school students are enrolled in a foreign language program even though many are given a wide variety of language courses to choose from." School Focuses on International Studies (KPRC Houston Channel 2, May 18, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "The Houston Academy of International Studies, which opened in August, is not your typical high school. Students such as Autumn Dickens attend because they want an education that guarantees a better understanding of the world, of other cultures and of languages." Education Bill Proposes New Global Outlook (Herald Tribune (FL), April 27, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "Lawmakers are hailing a plan to overhaul the state's education standards and bring experts from around the world to weigh in on what Florida's students should be learning." China, U.S., Taking Notes on Education (LA Times, April 8, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "In many ways, China and the United States represent the yin and yang of international education. Whereas China's top-down system places supreme emphasis on tightly structured, disciplined learning, the United States has a highly decentralized system that places greater importance on critical thinking and "student-centered" learning. Still, in recent years, the Chinese and American systems have been taking baby steps toward each other, learning and adapting what the other does best." Becoming Citizens of the World (Education Leadership, April 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "The new skill set that students will need goes well beyond the United States' current focus on the basics and on math, science, and technology. These skills are necessary, of course, but to be successful global citizens, workers, and leaders, students will need to be knowledgeable about the world, be able to communicate in languages other than English, and be informed and active citizens. NRC Sees Deficit in Federal Approach to Foreign Languages (Education Week, April 4, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "The U.S. Department of Education should have a more visible presence in directing efforts for international education and the teaching of foreign languages, particularly in K-12 education, concludes a report sent to Congress last week by the National Research Council." Hasbro's Gift of Education (Providence Journal, April 3, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "University of Rhode Island President Robert L. Carothers: “We’re trying to internationalize the curriculum in all fields,” Carothers said in an interview. “We want to have more and more of our students in international programs.” Education Bill's Global Focus Would Add Rigor to Classes (Palm Beach Post, April 2, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "Leaders in the Florida House agree and are poised to act on legislation they say will better prepare the state's K-12 students not only for college but to compete for jobs with students from Singapore and China, instead of Mississippi and Georgia. A bill scheduled for debate this week in a Florida House council could open the door for longer school days, more foreign-language classes and increased emphasis on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test." World History and Geography Gain Traction In Class (Education Week, March 21, 2007) \| full story (free registration may be required) Excerpt: "A recent federal study shows that the percentage of American students taking world history and world geography in high school has risen faster than enrollment in any other social studies classes over the past 15 years." Asian Educators Looking to Louden for an Edge (Washington Post, March 19, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "The scientists had come thousands of miles from the island nation of Singapore to the Academy of Science in Sterling in search of ways to improve their teaching. This could be considered surprising, given that Singapore's eighth-graders rank No. 1 in science and math globally and those in the United States rank ninth in science and 15th in math, according to the 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study." Committee: Languages Offer Key to the World (Rutland Herald, March 11, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: In the process of updating the standards, the question of world language instruction for seventh- and eighth-grade students came up, explained Gail Kilkelly, the state's coordinator for fine arts and foreign languages. The board decided one goal needed further study: that children begin learning a foreign language in the primary grades and have a "novice middle proficiency" by the end of eighth grade. The board created the present committee, which includes school administrators, school boards, language teachers and college and university leaders, and charged it with developing strategies for implementing the K-12 language goal." Tough Choices in Education (Boston Globe, February 28, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "I sit on the Commission of the National Center on Education and the Economy, and we tackled this issue in a recent report, "Tough Choices or Tough Times." In it we recommended dramatic steps not just to reform our schools, but to reinvigorate our system of education so that children learn more and graduate ready to compete with their peers from around the world." Learning to Compete (News & Observer, February 28, 2007) \| full story (free registration required) Excerpt: Teachers are rightly skeptical about the pressure to take on yet another burden. Many are already reeling from the demands of No Child Left Behind, to cite only the latest. Now comes yet another new task: teaching global knowledge and skills. But promoting global knowledge and skills is not an add-on -- something related to a few courses or an after-school program. Global perspectives must be built into everything that students and teachers do, from math to literature to social studies to science. This means new curricula. It also means serious professional development for teachers." Pentagon Ramps Up Training to Cut Language Gap (NPR, February 9, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "There are 27 newly minted Arabic speakers in this graduating class, just a small portion of the more than 1,000 Arabic-language graduates who passed through the Defense Language Institute last year." Impediments to U.S. Push on Languages (Inside Higher Ed, January 26, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "In their opening remarks Thursday during a Senate subcommittee hearing on the federal government’s efforts to develop a foreign language strategy, Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) were in bipartisan agreement: The United States needs to significantly improve its citizens’ foreign language skills.The problem, of course, is getting the funding and creating a national strategy to be implemented over the long term." Measuring Up in a Flat World (Technology & Learning, January 22, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "The Asia Society curriculum broadens core subject skills and content for increased relevancy in an international workplace. "For example," says Jackson, "a biology class might focus on the nature of disease, and issues of wellness, exploring the spread of disease, migration trends, and the globalization of transportation, [which increases] human contact." Schools Need to Keep Language Programs (Times Argus (VT), January 17, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "But cutting languages is not the way to go. Vermont's students no longer only compete with their peers in New Hampshire or New York for jobs; they now face graduates from China, India and other corners of the world. It has never been more important for Vermont's children to learn to live and work in a world community – making language courses an imperative." Global Perspective Needed in Vermont (Burlington Free Press, January 6, 2007) \| full story Excerpt:"We can and we must embed a global perspective within our K-16 curriculum. A year ago a group of Vermont policy makers gathered to talk about ways to implement the recommendations of the Governor's Council on International Education. A month ago a group of higher education leaders representing 18 of Vermont's institutions of higher education gathered to discuss ways to bring a global perspective to their campuses. The momentum for requiring the study of other countries for students is building and expanding fast. Vermont can and should take its place as a leader of this initiative." For Baby, the More Languages, the Better (NBC Nightly News, January 3, 2007) \| full story Except: "And the studies show that the ability to switch from one brain section to another allows some babies actually to perform better at certain tasks — mental dexterity brought on by a bilingual world." Student Makes Splash with Award-winning Video (Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 2, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "As a Minnesotan, Elyse DeLaittre is surrounded by water...That's why she chose the subject over some sexier global issues to feature in the video she submitted for a national competition sponsored by the Goldman-Sachs Foundation and the Asia Society. " Dramatic Plan for Language Programs (Inside Higher Ed, January 2, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "A panel of some of the top professors of foreign languages has concluded that the programs that train undergraduate majors and new Ph.D.’s are seriously off course, with so much emphasis on literature that broader understanding of cultures and nations has been lost. The panel, organized by the Modern Language Association, wants to jettison the traditional model in which language instruction is followed primarily by literary study. In its place, the panel would like to see departments merge study of language and literature while adding more study of history, culture, economics, and society — in some respects turning language programs into area studies programs." Learning to Keep Learning (New York Times, December 13, 2006) \| full story (Subscription may be required) Thomas Friedman's column. Excerpt: "I recently attended an Asia Society education seminar in Beijing, during which we heard Chinese educators talk about their “new national strategy.” It’s to make China an “innovation country” — with enough indigenous output to advance China “into the rank of innovation-oriented countries by 2020,” as Shang Yong, China’s vice minister of science and technology, put it. I listened to this with mixed emotions. Part of me said: “Gosh, wouldn’t it be nice to have a government that was so focused on innovation — instead of one that is basically anti-science.” My other emotion was skepticism. Oh, you know the line: Great Britain dominated the 19th century, America dominated the 20th and now China is going to dominate the 21st. It’s game over. Sorry, but I am not ready to cede the 21st century to China yet." Young U.S. Students Present Ideas for Solving World Problems (Voice of America, December 11, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "The Excellence in International Education awards are sponsored by the investment firm Goldman Sachs and the Asia Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to broadening American understanding of Asian cultures." How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century (Time Magazine, December 7, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Competency in reading and math—the focus of so much No Child Left Behind testing—is the meager minimum. Scientific and technical skills are, likewise, utterly necessary but insufficient. Today's economy demands not only a high-level competence in the traditional academic disciplines but also what might be called 21st century skills. Here's what they are: Knowing more about the world. Kids are global citizens now, whether they know it or not, and they need to behave that way. Mike Eskew, CEO of UPS, talks about needing workers who are "global trade literate, sensitive to foreign cultures, conversant in different languages"—not exactly strong points in the U.S., where fewer than half of high school students are enrolled in a foreign-language class and where the social-studies curriculum tends to fixate on U.S. history." Forum Hunts Ways to Advance Education (People's Daily, November 15, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Education reform in the Asia-Pacific region must speed up if it is to keep pace with rapid globalization, the head of a major non-governmental organization (NGO) said yesterday. "The inter-connected nature of the world, the world economy and citizenship demands that we actually respond to these changes. Education provides common ground for us to work together to respond," Vishakha Desai, president of Asia Society, said at a press conference in Beijing."" Seattle School District to Expand Worldly Offerings (Seattle Times, November 10, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Eight more Seattle public schools soon may offer international-education programs along the lines of those at John Stanford International School and Hamilton International Middle School. At a fundraising breakfast for the two schools Thursday, Seattle Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Carla Santorno announced the district's intent to expand its international programs to five more elementary schools, one more middle school, and two high schools. Locations have not been determined, she said." An Experience of a Lifetime (Central Kitsap Chronicle, October 28, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Miss Washington Kristen Eddings returned home to Silverdale this week after spending 14 days immersed in the culture of India. As a spokeswoman for Bridges to Understanding, Eddings — who was crowned Miss Washington three months ago — traveled with the organization to Dharamsala, India where she participated in workshops with the Tibetan Childrens’ Village.” East West School Opens for Students in Flushing (Queens Chronicle, October 26, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Ben Sherman is probably the only principal in New York City who says hello every morning to his entire student body in Korean, Japanese and Mandarin. He performs this linguistic ritual during “morning muster” at the brand new East West School of International Studies, a public school in Flushing that opened its doors to nearly 150 seventh and ninth graders this fall." Policymakers Get Cross-Border View of Immigration (NPR, October 23, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Back in 1998, Rick Givens was chairman of the Chatham County Commissioners in North Carolina, and he was frustrated at mounting illegal immigration. Worried about the cost of health care and social services, Givens made local headlines when he wrote a letter to federal immigration officials, asking them to come to his state, round up illegal Mexicans and send them home. Then Givens took part in a program called the Latino Initiative, which was then just getting under way. It's run by the University of North Carolina's Center for International Understanding, and the highlight is a weeklong visit to Mexico. That's when Givens says his "aha" moment came." Broader Education Gains Appeal in Asia (International Herald Tribune, October 16, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Across Asia parents are choosing to send their children to international schools on similar grounds. Many Asian school systems provide teacher-led instruction rather than student-centered interactive learning...Schools like the International School of Bangkok still cater primarily to children of expatriates and employees of multinationals like Nike, Ford and Chevron. Increasingly, however, demand for international education is coming from Thais, who now fill about a third of international school places, according to the Education Ministry." Denver Center for International Studies Opens (CBS 4 Denver, October 10, 2006) \| full story A video clip on the new Denver Center for International Studies. Students Take Aim at Global Problems (Christian Science Monitor, October 5, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: In a climate of troubling indicators foreshadowing a decline in US competitiveness - from international testing comparisons to the low cost of skilled labor in Asia - the Global Challenge stems from a refreshing premise: America does have the tools to compete in an increasingly borderless and competitive world. And one way to cultivate those resources is to give high school students a more compelling opportunity to engage with science and math than is offered by, say, the boring chemistry teacher in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Understanding Global Awareness: Asia Society Podcast (Apple Learning Intenchange, October 3, 2006) \| full story Today’s 21st Century Student needs to master a complex set of skills to succeed in work, school and life. One of those skills is global awareness. But what does this mean? Is it enough for students to simply be “aware” of other parts of the world? Apple Distinguished Educators began a project this past summer to develop curriculum and experiences for teachers and students to examine what it means to be “Globally Aware.” As a part of this project Apple Learning Interchange is reaching out to organizations across the globe to gain insight from experts in this field. Listen to this recent interview with Ms. Vivien Stewart, Vice President of Education, and Dr. Michael Levine, Vice President of New Media at the Asia Society, as they explore the need for global awareness programs in schools and tips and strategies on how to get started. Many in State Department Can't Talk the Talk (Washington Post, August 11, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Nearly 30 percent of State Department employees based overseas in "language-designated positions" are failing to speak and write the local language well enough to meet required levels, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office." Executive Director's Report: Good schools produce 'globally competent' students (School Board News, August 8, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "We need to create schools that prepare students for an internationally competitive, globally interactive world. And we need to create experiences for our kids that turn them on to education and fire them up -- in high school and middle school, as well as the primary grades....Last week, I was privileged to attend a session of the Asia Society Summer Institute, where I heard from the 10 teacher-principal teams that are part of the society’s Network of International Studies Schools. These teams are redesigning their schools to be energized, personal, and academically demanding, as well as globally focused." Should the U.S. Take a Page Out of China's Schoolbook? (Seed Magazine, July 14, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "The US education system has been periodically compared to its Chinese counterpart since the 1960s, when it first became apparent that Asian students performed better on international academic assessment tests than Americans. That performance disparity is felt more acutely now that China shows increasing economic strength, and now that the US faces a shortage of foreign-born researchers that are the lifeblood of American science. With President Bush focused on his nation's competitiveness, American educators are looking to schools like Nanyang to figure out what makes China so successful in science education." China Can Teach U.S. a Math Lesson (OC Register, July 14, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Math and science. The two subjects that are most difficult for me wouldn't be so for my peers in a place like China. That's because the overseas system produces far more stellar students in those areas, compared with U.S. schools, according to a new Asia Society study. The report goes on to note that the achievement gap may hinder American competitiveness even as educators and policymakers here are analyzing what are the best practices there." Less Homework, More Trouble (USA Today, July 2, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "There's ample evidence to suggest that lack of homework leaves U.S. students less prepared to compete in the global economy. If anything, U.S. schools are guilty of spending too little time on academics. The newest report to document this emerged recently from the Asia Society, which compared K-12 educations in the USA and China. In just two decades of pushing for universal education and high standards, China has surpassed the USA in some ways." Chinese Medicine for American Schools (New York Times, June 27, 2006) \| full story (Subscription reequired) Opinion piece by Nicholas Kristof. Excerpt: "That many young Chinese in cities like Shanghai or Beijing get a better education than Americans do is a reality that should stir us to seek lessons from China." Push Grows for Higher Graduation Standards (Delaware News Journal, June 26, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Delaware's high school students will face some of the toughest graduation requirements in the nation, if the state adopts a pending recommendation for new, more rigorous standards. A state committee last week recommended the state require an extra credit of math, two credits of foreign language, a tougher senior year and specific courses students must take, such as biology, chemistry and algebra II." China Takes Different Tack From U.S. in Teaching Mathematics and Science (Education Week, June 21, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "The study grew out of a 2005 Asia Society conference that brought together experts on American and Chinese education. The Chinese school year is a full month longer than that of the United States. Nine years of education in China is compulsory; U.S. students are required to stay in school until they are somewhere between 16 and 18 years old, depending on the state, according to the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center." China's Education System Characterized by Strong National Standards, Vast Inequalities (Education Week, Web-Only, June 13, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "China uses a dramatically different approach to building students’ mathematical and science skills from the United States', with strong national standards, a structured progression from easy to difficult subject matter, and extensive teacher training serving as core tenets of the communist country’s educational system, a new study finds. But China also suffers from a large disparity between the quality of education in relatively advanced urban areas and poorer, rural communities, and from a system that encourages relatively rigid teaching methods, according to the report, which was released June 8 by the Asia Society, a New York City-based nonprofit that seeks to promote international understanding." U.S. Looks to Asia to Boost Grades in Math, Science (AFP, June 11, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: ""There are grave concerns in the United States about the quality of math and science education in American schools," said a new report by experts at Asia Society, a US-based institution striving to bridge the US-Asia gap. It outlined key ways in which China, and East Asia more broadly, have been successful in producing higher student achievement in math and science and underlined US "need to benchmark best practices wherever we can find them."" US Businesses, Educators Team Up to Boost Language Skills (VOA, June 8, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Business leaders and educators often find themselves on opposing sides of the debate on political and social issues. But they are joining forces to press for greater resources for education in international studies and foreign languages. Earlier this year a business policy group, the Committee for Economic Development (CED) issued a report called Education for Global Leadership. The report warns of serious threats to the U.S. economy and national security if the United States does not improve education in foreign languages and international studies." Clayton State Professor Focuses on International Education (Clayton News-Daily, June 8, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "He often tells his students that there are 500 pound gorillas in the world — a metaphor for nations whose populations will compete with Americans for jobs. And those same countries — such as India or China — have markets where American companies will sell those products, said Raj Sashti, a Clayton State University associate professor and director of the international consortium of Georgia, consisting of a group of state universities." Symposium Offers Bridge to China (Cincinnati Enquirer, June 3, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Learn more about the past, present and future of China at the 2006 Chinese Cultural Symposium today at Northern Kentucky University....The purpose of the event is education, said Dr. Jacque Van Houten, world language and international education consultant for the Kentucky Department of Education." They (the Chinese Ministry of Education) are trying to help the U.S. get the Chinese language taught in school. Currently, there's only one school district that offers some Chinese in the state," Van Houten said." Multilingualism Has Value (Camden Courier Post, May 30, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Language diversity is a strength, not a sign that immigrants are undoing the thread that binds us together. If Americans aren't exposed early on to a foreign language, they should strive to at least become conversant in another language." Schools May Raise Bar for Languages (The News Journal (DE), May 28, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Schools, however, are struggling to meet the demand, especially for increasingly popular Asian languages. They also are just beginning to require that students take foreign languages, although that could change with an upcoming statewide overhaul of graduation requirements. For many years, foreign-language has taken a back seat to core testing subjects such as math, science and English. But Jean Allen, president of the state board of education and chairman of the graduation requirement committee, said the committee could adopt a draft report this week that includes a recommendation to require students to take two years of a foreign language, beginning with the freshman class of 2009." Downstate Education: Expanding Horizons; Teachers Bringing World Home (NewsZap (DE), May 27, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Downstate teachers are bringing an international flavor to their classrooms. Most teacher preparation programs are "very Euro-centric," said Dr. Shuhan Wang, education associate for world languages and international education at the Delaware Department of Education. But individual teachers driven to take advantage of professional development opportunities and share their unique cultural knowledge are stretching the boundaries of their students' minds." Bridging the Foreign-Language Gap (Seattle Times, May 25, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Washington state leaders have responded to this challenge by implementing education-reform measures highlighted by the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. Even if the WASL — with its emphasis on reading, math and science — works as well as proponents hope, it alone won't prepare many students for the demands facing them in the future. We need to place greater emphasis on foreign-language instruction in our schools, starting at the elementary level. We need to make foreign language as high a priority as reading, math and science." First-of-its-Kind Agreement Will Allow High School Students to Earn College Credit for Studying Abroad (AScribe, May 18, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Idaho high school students who travel abroad as part of an educational exchange program can now earn college credit at Boise State University through an innovative new program. The cooperative agreement between Boise States concurrent enrollment program in the Division of Extended Studies and the State Department of Education is the first of its kind in the country, according to Dan Prinzing, coordinator for international education for the state." Teacher Brings a Touch of Scotland to Grafton (Daily Press (VA), May 18, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "McGregor is visiting Grafton Middle School for the year through the Visiting International Faculty Program. The VIF program, founded in 1987, is the largest international exchange program for U.S. schools and teachers worldwide. "She is able to offer another cultural element to the school. When (American) idioms and customs are brought up, she passes on to our kids how it plays out in other cultures."" Middle School Goes International (El Defensor Chieftan, May 13, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "... The students discussed current global problems and some possible solutions during the 2006 International Education Student Forum. Language arts teacher Kim Berlat took the students to the conference and discussed international education and its place in the classroom with other teachers. The students volunteered to participate in the forum, the first in the state. They chose to join groups focusing on environmental, social, political or economic perspectives." Lost in America (Foreign Policy, May/June, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "In California, where Christina lives, more than 1 in 4 of the state’s residents were born outside the United States. Schoolchildren speak more than 60 languages at home. Globalization is everywhere you look. Here in Oakland, an 11yearold AfricanAmerican boy has impressed international audiences with his uncanny Chinese arias. In nearby Fruitvale, nearly 100,000 locals turned out last fall for a Mexican Día de los Muertos celebration. To the south, in Silicon Valley, a Bollywood cineplex effortlessly sells out its Hindi screenings. A few blocks from my San Francisco apartment, a shop that specializes in goods from Brazil (the area around Goiania, specifically) shares its block with a Vietnamese restaurant and a yoga studio, where yuppies chant in Sanskrit as they bend and sweat; outside, Caribbean reggaeton blares from the windows of Japanese tuner coupes. But for all the changes globalization has brought to the average American kid’s cultural and commercial ecosystem, the average classroom has lagged far behind, even in cosmopolitan California." Overstretched American Special Forces Hit the Language Barrier (London Daily Telegraph, May 4, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "American special forces, the cutting edge of the global strategy for winning the fight against terrorism, are so overstretched that many units are deploying in the world's trouble spots unable to communicate with the locals." WCPS Honored for International Efforts (Walton Tribune (GA), May 3, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "The Walton County Public Schools district reaches far beyond the county’s borders. For sponsoring international teachers from other countries, WCPS was named District of the Year for excellence in educating U.S. students about the “world beyond their borders.”" Poll Shows Many Can't Fine LA on Map (AP, May 2, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Despite the wall-to-wall coverage of the damage from Hurricane Katrina, nearly one-third of young Americans recently polled couldn't locate Louisiana on a map and nearly half were unable to identify Mississippi. Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 fared even worse with foreign locations: six in 10 couldn't find Iraq, according to a Roper poll conducted for National Geographic." Speaking in (Many) Tongues Can Be Profitable (New York Times, April 30, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "WANTED, and in many instances urgently needed: translators and interpreters of numerous languages into English. Opportunities especially good in New York and other cities with large and highly varied immigrant populations. And in government agencies where certain Middle Eastern and Asian languages have surged in priority in the post 9/11 world." International Curriculum Eyed (Delaware State News, April 28, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "...more than 200 educators that attended the Delaware Summit on International Education Thursday at the Sheraton Dover Hotel. The state Department of Education sponsored the event. Principals, teachers and administrators debated ways to best integrate international education into the curriculum and watched as the state took the historic step of partnering with Spain and China. Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff signed memoranda of understanding with the two countries’ embassies to formalize a plan for future exchange programs for teachers and students." Michigan's Students Should be Plugged into China, India (DetroitNews, April 27, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "T he 21st century belongs to the globally connected. Is Michigan plugged in? China and India will continue to evolve as major players on the world scene, including in business. Michiganians need to forge stronger bonds with those countries, especially since one in six American jobs is tied to international trade." Students Bridge Cultural Divide.... (Gulf Daily News, April 21, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Four Bahraini government school pupils built bridges between the East and West cultural divide, when they embarked on the first US-Bahrain student exchange of its kind. The 16 to 18-year-olds, from Khawla Girls' Secondary School, travelled to New York to stay with College of Staten Island (CSI) High School for International Studies students and their families, earlier this year." Managing Globalization: Back to School in the Rust Belt (International Herald Tribune, April 18, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "As manufacturing plants shrink and disappear across the American Midwest, one thing is clear: The next generation of workers will need a new set of skills. With their eye on globalization, states in the region are mandating foreign languages, science and mathematics. But they are also trying to give their students a new way of looking at the world. It's a lesson that many wealthy and middle-income economies will have to learn as several types of manufacturing and other lower-skilled jobs move to poorer countries. The Midwestern states could always afford to give their children a good education, but they didn't always need to." Comment: America and China Must Build New Bridges in Business (Financial Times, April 16, 2006) \| full story (Registration may be required) Excerpt: "We in the US must also address impediments to American competitiveness, understanding that this issue will not be solved through protectionist legislation. We need, for example, to strengthen our educational infrastructure to boost student performance and close achievement gaps; increase competencies in subjects such as maths, science and engineering; ensure that our students acquire the skills - including language skills - necessary to succeed in international and intercultural environments; and embed continuous learning in our culture." English now the Foreign Language of Schools Abroad (Education Week, April 12, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "A similar trend is occurring in China and Japan, where school officials and private companies are struggling to meet the rapidly growing demand for English instruction for children, teenagers, and adults. English is hot in Asia, experts say, as China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand promote the language as an essential skill for improving their nations’ competitiveness in the global economy." (Third and final in a series.) Other Native-English Countries Ahead of United States (Education Week, April 12, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Even as the focus on foreign-language instruction up north and Down Under has waned recently in the wake of renewed attention to reading, mathematics, and science instruction, countries outside the United States where English is the primary language have more than a decade’s head start in their language skills and public attitudes on the importance of language learning. “How far behind is the United States compared to other countries? I think enormously,” said Alan Ruby, a former deputy secretary for the Ministry of Education in Australia and now a senior fellow in the graduate education program at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia. “It’s almost impossible to gauge how much competitiveness the U.S. will lose because it doesn’t have the language skills.” Technology Becomes Substitute for English Teacher (Education Week, April 12, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "The Ministry of Education (in Mexico) this year piloted a program that uses a computer loaded with interactive language software and an interactive board to teach English in the 5th and 6th grades in 150 schools. Preliminary reports show the program is working. An outside evaluator found that beginning learners who used the system progressed well in entry-level English, even in classrooms in which the teachers didn’t know any English, said Lorenzo Gómez-Morin Fuentes, the undersecretary for basic education for Mexico’s Education Ministry." Words and Music (Washington Post, April 10, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Early this year, at a special U.S. University Presidents Summit on International Education, President Bush unveiled the National Security Language Initiative....This project reminds me of a book I read recently, "The Piano Tuner," by Daniel Mason, in which the central character seeks and makes peace in late 19th-century Burma with music instead of guns. I want to believe the language initiative also is at least partly motivated by an interest in more nonviolent tools of negotiation, although I much prefer the word "conversation" to "negotiation."" 'Heritage Speakers’: Loss of a Treasure? (Education Week, April 6, 2006) \| full story If the United States is going to take advantage of the linguistic skills of millions of children in this country who speak languages other than English at home, policy has to change at the district, state, and national levels, experts in the field say. Includes accompanying audio and video. (The second in a series). Embracing Arabic: State to get Language Grant (Detroit Free Press, April 4, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Michigan is on target to receive an annual grant of about $700,000 for up to 16 years to pay teacher salaries and other costs of teaching Arabic to students in grades K-12 and college, a federal official said Monday. Bush hopes the experiment will produce scores of young Michiganders who are fluent in Arabic, and he wants the program to be copied nationwide, said Robert Slater, director of the U.S. Department of Defense's national security education program." Our State's Students Need More Language Training (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA, March 31, 2006) \| full story Excerpt from this Op-Ed by State Senator Pam Roach: "Most Washington K-12 students don't have the chance to study any language other than English until they are in middle school or high school. In fact, foreign language isn't even a state graduation requirement. (Some colleges and universities use it as an entrance requirement.) Our state's public schools should make foreign language instruction a higher priority. It should be on par with basic subjects such as reading, writing, math, science and social studies. " Schools Urged to Prepare for Globalization (Daily Times, Maryville, TN, March 29, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Daggett said globalization is a major reason for the need for school reform. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the decision by China, and later by India, to join in the global free-enterprise economic system and the creation of the World Wide Web system linking databases and ultimately people has changed marketplace dynamics. As examples, Daggett said that in 1995, the year China came to the table, the giant discount-chain Wal-Mart advocated that its goods were ``Made in America.'' Two years ago, 38 percent of the goods were made in China. This year, that percentage jumped to 72 percent, Daggett said." A world view: Teacher's trip to China will bring real life to classroom (The Times-News, Twin Falls, ID, March 24, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Since the state become involved with the international education programs in 2003, delegations of Idaho educators have also visited Spain, Germany and Mexico. Funded through grants from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Department of Education and non-government organizations, the mission goal is to provide firsthand global perspectives on the political and cultural environments that teachers can present to students whose exposure might otherwise be limited to what they read in textbooks." Worried About India's and China's Booms? So Are They (New York Times, March 24, 2006) \| full story (NYTimes registration required) Column by Tom Friedman. Excerpt: "Both India and China, which have mastered rote learning and have everyone else terrified about their growing armies of engineers, are wondering if too much math and science — unleavened by art, literature, music and humanities — aren't making Indira and Zhou dull kids and not good innovators. Very few global products have been spawned by India or China." China's Modernization Plan: What U.S. Education Leaders Can Learn (Education Week, March 22, 2006) \| full story (Downloadable PDF) A commentary piece by Vivien Stewart, Vice President for Education, Asia Society. Based on her experience leading education delegations to China over the past three years, the article highlights some of the lessons learned about China's educational growth and examines the implications for the next phase of U.S. education reform. Outside View: Language panels revisited (UPI, March 21, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "The United States needs foreign-language speakers, and in particular it needs many more Arabic speakers. Despite massive investment and President George W. Bush's plan to spend a further $117 million next year, it does not seem to be getting them. What's wrong? America's National Research Council is now undertaking a comprehensive review of its language programs, funded by Title VI of the Higher Education Act. Are the massive grants provided to area studies programs for language instruction effective? How exactly has more than $100 million, allocated annually for area studies and foreign language instruction, been used? Have they been co-opted by universities to subsidize other aspects, such as theoretically-driven research, at the expense of language instruction? Hopefully, definitive answers will be available when the NRC finishes its review in 2007." Majoring in Asia (New Jersey Record, March 15, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Languages like Hindi, Chinese, Japanese and Korean are the cornerstone of a growing Asian studies program at the university (William Patterson), which in the past year has begun offering a bachelor of arts degree in the subject. For years, the university's Asian courses were embedded in social science and language studies programs. But faculty from several disciplines have created a major that brings together economics, languages, anthropology, politics and history focusing, in particular, on East and South Asia." Strides in 'Critical Languages' Remain Small (Washington Post, March 14, 2006) \| full story Excerpt:"Montgomery County has more than 44,000 students taking foreign languages, a rich linguistic feast that puts it No. 1 among U.S. school systems of similar size. Yet it has only one high school Arabic class and would not have that if special education teacher Nazeh Natur hadn't come to Gaithersburg High School. When Gaithersburg lost its Arabic teacher last year, the head of the language department persuaded Natur to add that class to his busy schedule. An Israeli Arab who is a U.S. citizen, Natur once taught Arabic to young Jews and Hebrew to young Arabs. Now from 7:20 to 8:15 a.m. each weekday, he cajoles a dozen U.S. teenagers in Room C-16 to follow the twists and turns of his complicated mother tongue." Burmaster Gets Language Studies Award (Madison.com, March 13, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster received a national leadership award for advancing international education and language studies in Wisconsin. The Sen. Paul Simon Award for the Promotion of Language and International Studies was presented to Burmaster in Chicago on Friday during the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages." That Good Education Might Not Be Enough (LA Times, March 8, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "But the president's (Bush) assertion that the answer to foreign outsourcing is education, a mantra embraced by Democrats as well as Republicans, is being challenged by a growing body of research and analysis from economists and other scholars. Education — at least as delivered by most of the nation's colleges, universities and technical schools — is no longer quite the economic cure-all it once was, nor the guarantee of financial security Americans have come to expect from college and graduate degrees." International Curriculum in PA Spotlight (Boston Globe, March 6, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: President Bush has called for Advanced Placement and IB programs to be expanded. Critics, however, have argued that IB's multicultural themes promote values that conflict with traditional Judeo-Christian values. Some opponents have called it Marxist because the International Baccalaureate Organization is a signatory to the Earth Charter, a collection of global principles created in France in 2000." Americans Breaking Out of Their English-Only Shell (Washington File, March 4, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "For decades, Americans have been stereotyped as unwilling to learn any language but English. The rest of the world was learning English, according to the stereotypical American, so why struggle learning a foreign language?...But all that has changed. Innovative school curriculums, entertaining and affordable interactive computer training programs, more opportunities to travel, and a broader global outlook have motivated Americans -- young and old -- to learn foreign languages." New School for Scribes, Asia Studies (New York Daily News, March 3, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "The next school year will feature two new schools in Flushing, one catering to aspiring scribes and the other to buffs of Asian culture and tongues, the Department of Education has announced. The World Journalism Preparatory School and the East-West School of International Studies will debut in September, prepping their students for college while concentrating on topics currently unavailable in the borough." Governors: Expand Students' Horizons (eSchoolNews, March 1, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "At the annual winter meeting of the National Governors' Association, members discussed what it will take to ensure the success of students in an increasingly global economy. The consensus: Students need to be exposed to foreign cultures and languages--and technology, speakers said, is a key to making that happen." Volunteer Projects Broaden Student Horizons (Staten Island Advance, February 28, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Students at Staten Island's newest high school -- the High School for International Studies at the College of Staten Island -- must log 120 volunteer hours in order to earn a diploma. Recently, the 114 freshmen who currently make up the student body, as well as four exchange students from Bahrain, started to satisfy this requirement by participating in five Community Service Day projects in Staten Island and the Bronx." Helping Hands: Local Group Creates Connections with Students (The State News (MI), February 28, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "LATTICE began 11 years ago as an international education partnership to link international graduate students with six different school districts in Mid-Michigan. A year later, members became involved with Zulu educators after meeting at an international conference." Outreach Program Promotes Asian Studies (Burlington Free Press, February 23, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Fifth- and sixth-graders at Westford Elementary School are just a few of the Vermont students benefiting from a program that promotes international education. The students will hold an open house tonight at the school to show parents and community members what they've learned. In July, their teacher, Loretta Grant, went to Japan as a participant in the Statewide Program for Asian Studies, a part of the University of Vermont's Asian Studies Outreach Program." Asia Society Plans Bold Projects to Increase Its Global Presence (New York Times, February 22, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "The society also plans to step up its educational activities. It will take a delegation of education leaders to India and hold a forum in China on educational policy. A deeper understanding of Asia is no longer merely beneficial, but essential, Ms. Desai said. People ought to think to themselves, "'I don't know anything about that part of the world, but I better, to be globally literate,' " she said. "This is not just a nice idea. It's a necessity for the 21st century."" IB Programs Elsewhere Also Attacked as Going Against American Values (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 22, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "The elimination of the International Baccalaureate program in Upper St. Clair is the latest in a series of similar attacks against the program alleging that its curriculum is contrary to American values. In recent years, the school program, which was developed by a 68-year-old organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, has faced at least nine other challenges based on similar arguments. The IB program aims to give students a world perspective and develop critical thinking skills." Learning Knows No National Borders (ASCD, February 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "We have much to do to shore up our educational systems and to ensure that our children can compete globally in the future. We have many great examples of increasing international understanding and cooperation that we can follow. But as educators, we must start with ourselves, expanding the scope of our knowledge and then passing it on to our students." Bibb County Schools May Get International Flair (Macon Telegraph, February 12, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "You'll see a more culturally diverse group of teachers in Bibb County (Georgia) classrooms this coming fall. The school system is in the process of hiring teachers from Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, Jamaica, Mexico, China, South Africa and Russia. Bibb County is buying into a program called Visiting International Faculty, a Chapel Hill, N.C.-based exchange program that brings foreign teachers to U.S. classrooms." Network Sponsors Worldwide Sharing of Curricula (Ed Week, February 8, 2006) \| full story (Subscription may be required) Excerpt: "Nancy Kaplan, a world-literature teacher at the College of Staten Island High School for International Studies, in New York City, used the program (IEARN) to create an “international teen scrapbook” for her students and those from other countries. IEARN officials set up an online forum for Ms. Kaplan, in which students are invited to post essays and photos on subjects ranging from their lives in school to their favorite books, magazines, and movies. Since the project was launched in September, Ms. Kaplan has received at least three postings from a class in Damascus, Syria, sent to her by a teacher via e-mail; she has another commitment to participate from a teacher in Bahrain. Students from Ms. Kaplan’s classes are expected to contribute, too. At the end of the year, her school will publish the scrapbook postings, most likely online and in print." Khan's Global Education Bill Heard (Newton Tab (MA), February 1, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "Legislation State Rep. Kay Khan filed to encourage Massachusetts schools to develop curriculum initiatives which promote global perspectives in education was heard by the Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Representative Khan became interested in international education after being introduced to foreign exchange programs and foreign language classes offered to students in Newton public schools. " Foreign Language Funding Raised (Daily Princetonian, January 11, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "President Bush announced on Thursday that he will request $114 million from Congress to expand foreign language training across the country. The National Security Language Initiative is designed to increase national security by raising the number of Americans learning strategic languages like Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi and Farsi from kindergarten through the university level and into the workforce." Educators Must Help State Compete (Charleston Gazette (WV), January 9, 2006) \| full story (Free registration required) This Op-Ed by the West Virginia Secretary of Education and the Arts, Kay Goodwin, takes a look at the current international education movement in the state and recommends that educators try to bring the world into their classrooms. US college summit to tackle drop in foreign students (Guardian (UK), January 4, 2006) \| full story Excerpt: "American university presidents are to meet with state officials in Washington tomorrow to discuss how colleges in the United States can attract more overseas students and strengthen the provision of non-traditional languages." Press Clippings: Chinese Language U.S. Teen Woos China (LA Times, February 2, 2008) \| full story Excerpt: Kyle Rothstein stands out in a sea of Chinese faces not because he is an American teenager with curly red hair and clear blue eyes, but because he speaks Chinese. Fluent Chinese. The visual and verbal double take is the handiwork of his father, Jay Rothstein, a prescient American businessman who put Kyle in a bilingual English-Mandarin school in San Francisco when he was 5. The elder Rothstein had read that if you don't learn to speak a foreign language by that age, you never really get it. Mandarin a Must for Some (Sydney Morning Herald, September 21, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "The study of Mandarin is set to become compulsory in some NSW public schools from next year. The Conservatorium High School in Sydney may introduce Mandarin as a mandatory subject as early as next year, as part of a wide-ranging review of its curriculum. A spokeswoman for the Department of Education confirmed "it has been raised as a possibility". Mandarin Missionaries (Wall Street Journal, September 14, 2007) \| full story (subscription may be required) Excerpt: "When she started college in 2000, Tang Guofang didn't chose a popular major such as computer science or business administration that would have given her an edge in China's increasingly competitive job market. Instead, she enrolled in a newly launched course that attracted only a handful of students and puzzled her parents: Teaching Mandarin as a Second Language." China's Doors Open Wide for Mass High Schoolers (Boston Globe, August 26, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "The three Chinese teachers assigned to Michigan this school year are part of a group of 64 who arrived in the United States in early August to begin their two-year stints in 23 states. They left behind their jobs and families to join the international program that sends English-speaking Chinese residents into classrooms in the United States, Britain and many other countries large and small." China's Doors Open Wide for Mass High Schoolers (Boston Globe, August 26, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "Liebman was so enthralled by his experience in high school that China immediately became an integral part of his life when he returned from Beijing. He spent a summer as a delivery boy for a Chinese restaurant in Brookline to keep up his newfound language skills. He majored in Chinese at Yale University, studied Chinese law at Harvard Law School, and practiced corporate law in China. Liebman still visits his Chinese host family and other Chinese classmates when he travels to Beijing on business. "It's the most important thing I've ever done in my life," said Liebman, 38. "None of this would have happened without this exchange."" Language of the Future Sounds Like Chinese (Hartford Courtant, August 27, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "In the past two years, U.S.-China trade has soared nearly 50 percent, and China leapfrogged over Mexico to become our second-biggest trade partner behind Canada. China's growing global economic and political influence is fueling increases in teacher and student exchanges in Connecticut schools and driving a statewide push to educate children on all things Chinese." Over a Billion Served (Newsweek International, August 20, 2007) \| full story Stephen Noerper, an international-relations specialist and Asia scholar and the president of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral Academy, writes that around the world, more adults and kids are learning Chinese because China is booming and citizens around the globe want a piece of the action. Two U.S. senators have proposed spending $1.3 billion on Chinese- language programs over the next five years. Milwaukee Chinese School Part of Growing Nationwide Interest (Milwaukee Channel, May 14, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: "About 130 students have signed up so far to attend the Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language, also part of a growing number of schools offering Chinese language classes nationwide....So far the school's students are mostly from the surrounding neighborhood, which is generally black and low income. He said he wants this type of education to be available for everyone." Chinese as a Second Language for Americans (Osgood File, CBS Radio, May 10, 2007) \| full story Excerpt: " Time was when American kids could pick Spanish or French as a foreign language to learn in school. And in some places German or Italian. Then after World War Two in the cold war era Russian became the language to learn. And as Japan grew into such an economic powerhouse A lot of American kids tried to learn some Japanese. But NOW? With the great rise of the People's Republic of China. The language to learn is Chinese. 300 million people in this world speak English. But more than a BILLION speak Chinese. And in this country today at least 27 states offer Chinese language classes in either elementary, middle or high school." Schools Add Chinese to Language Effort