EARLY MANDARIN IMMERSION
Our group is exploring the feasibility of implementing a Mandarin language immersion program in Malibu public elementary schools.
According to a recent article in Scholastic, there has been an explosion in demand for Mandarin immersion programs in U.S. elementary schools. The demand is apparently being driven by “China’s emergence as a world power, as an economic power, and as a diplomatic power." More people speak Mandarin, the official language of China, than any other language in the world—roughly a billion people, compared to 341 million (native) English speakers.
In 2006, President Bush launched the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI), a plan to dramatically increase the number of Americans learning critical need foreign languages such as Mandarin Chinese. Among other things, NSLI will provide $24 million for Department of Education grants to support Mandarin chinese and other critical need languages in K-12.
We welcome anyone who wishes to assist in this project.