The China School began in 2002 as a place for children and their families to learn Chinese through games, songs and movements on both sides of Manhattan.

Since then it has developed into a school with multiple classes for children at different ages - from 3 to 8 - and at different levels: beginners, medium and advanced.

In the last few years, The China School (TCS) has successfully entered a partnership with a number of public schools in Manhattan such as PS 87, PS 75 and others. TCS offers Chinese language and cultural class in these schools as after-school programs.

Since the summer 2006, TCS has offered a Cultural Enrichment Program in a partnership with The Gladney Center for Adoption. This program is aimed to help adopted children from China maintain their cultural heritage. The Cultural Enrichment Program classes are available to all adopted children and their parents.

Facing the increasing needs of learning Chinese language and culture, TCS also offers classes for adults who are interested in studying the Chinese language. These classes are offered either in the classrooms or at students’ homes.

The headline above was the title of an article on August 26, 2006 by staff writer Lori Aratani in the Washington Post. The article points out that we in the United States can no longer assume that the world will learn English and adapt to us. We too must adapt to new global realities. One important way we can is by learning to speak Chinese.

As the world continues to shrink, the cultural benefits of learning Chinese will be matched by the practical benefits of being able to communicate in the native tongue of one-fifth of the world's population.

We are off to a slow start. The Asia Society estimates that only around 24,000 students in American middle and high schools study Chinese. Nevertheless, momentum is beginning to build. The U.S. government recently allocated $114 million to increasing the teaching of critical languages such as Chinese in public schools. As a small initial step this year (2006), ten Chinese teachers were brought to Washington in August for training, and were assigned to schools around the country to teach Mandarin.

The Post article points out that there have long been Chinese language classes in many parts of the country. But they were usually attended only by Asian children, whose parents saw learning the language as a way for children to remain connected to their heritage. That remains important. But, more and more, non-Asian parents are also enrolling their children in Mandarin classes, knowing how an ability to speak Chinese may increase their children's future career opportunities.

Click here to read the full article (registration required).

ESL (English as a second language) teachers are needed in Shanghai, China, at the highly-regarded Shanghai BSK Academy. The Academy has several openings, some of which are available immediately. If you or someone you know is interested, at a minimum, qualified candidates must:

• Be a native speaker of English
• Hold a Bachelor's degree
• Have at least two years of related experience
• Have completed TESL training

Overseas study or work experience are a plus. Additionally, candidates must love children, enjoy teaching, demonstrate professionalism and be friendly.

Students are from primary and middle schools.

The monthly salary is RMB 10,000. One-way or round trip airfare will be reimbursed if you are qualified.

There are three or four immediate openings. The Academy is accepting applications for 2009 now.

If you are interested (or someone you know is), please send an inquiry to chinaschool3@hotmail.com.

Additional information is available for download.