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TEACHING MANDARIN EXEMPLIFIES FORESIGHT FROM SCHOOL
OFFICIALS
Arizona Republic
December 8, 2006
Estimated printed pages: 2
The concept is a no-brainer.
Schools should be preparing students to succeed in the "real world" of the
future.
But putting that concept into practice is often easier said than done. It takes
money, a lot of research and often a break from tradition to prepare for the
world 20 years from now.
Mesa's school district is making that commitment by investing in Mandarin
Chinese language courses. Thank goodness Gilbert Public Schools is looking to do
the same.
During a recent trip to the town's Sister City of Leshan, China, Gilbert schools
Superintendent Brad Barrett noted the humongous role that China plays in
business and industry across the globe.
Barrett expressed a strong interest in offering Mandarin Chinese language
courses at the high school level as he delivered educational accounts of the
trip during a Gilbert Town Council meeting in November.
That sounds like a good way to help students prepare for emerging career
opportunities.
The district is realizing that the "real world" is changing. Graduates of the
Gilbert district can't simply leave school with a firm grasp of the three R's
and expect to excel in the job market, especially with their Mesa counterparts
having the chance to expand their cultural horizons. They need to have global
experience and perspective.
That's where Mandarin Chinese courses come in.
China is the world's most populous country and emerging superpower. If the U.S.
wants to compete with -- and do business with -- China, we all would do well to
understand the country's values, beliefs and culture.
That's why Barrett is right to expand the district's offerings of foreign
languages to include Mandarin Chinese with the opportunity for students to
travel to China.
Granted, we're not saying every Valley high school graduate should be a
pipette-wielding Chinese speaker.
But what we are saying is that Gilbert gets it in terms of offering students
additional course options to better prepare them for emerging jobs in the global
economy. Barrett understands that the district has an integral role in creating
tomorrow's workforce and that its programs can be economic development tools. It
could be a great thing for Gilbert, maximizing the benefits of the town's
exchange program into the school district.
Other Valley districts are doing it.
Gilbert Public Schools is smart to follow suit.
The "Our View" editorial below represents the opinion of The Republic's
Southeast Valley Editorial Board, whose members are: General Manager Paul
Maryniak, Editorial Page Editor Bob Schuster, Assistant Editorial Page Editor
Gary Nelson and Editorial Writers Joanna Allhands, Patricia Biggs and Cindy
Hernandez. If you have questions about the Opinions pages, please call
480.516.0101.
CAPTION: Superintendent Brad Barrett wants schools to offer Mandarin courses.
Edition: Final Chaser
Section: Gilbert Republic
Page: 42
Column: OUR VIEW
Copyright (c) The Arizona Republic. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the
permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.
Record Number: pho160696316
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