Education Officials Want to Expand Pre-School Chinese Language Program
Five state education officials began an 11-day trip to China today. They will visit with education and cultural officials in Beijing and Shanghai. There, they’ll exchange ideas about a Chinese language program already in place in some Georgia pre-schools.
At nine schools in Dalton, Flowery Branch, Kennesaw and Marietta, pre-kindergarten students are learning Mandarin Chinese. That’s in addition to basic language and math skills. Bobby Cagle is the commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning.
“This is a one-of-a-kind program in the world for pre-school students,” says Cagle.
The program was established and is funded by the Confucius Institute at Kennesaw State University in 2009. Teachers are trained in China and are hired as co-teachers in Georgia pre-k classes. Cagle says the idea is to give Georgia students a leg-up.
“China is the second-largest economy in the world and the fastest-growing economy. So, understanding of the Chinese language and culture can only stand us in good stead as we move into the 21st century and beyond.”
Cagle and four other officials–including representatives from the governor’s office and the state education department– will be in China through June 15th. Cagle would eventually like to take the program statewide.
9(MDAxODM0MDY4MDEyMTY4NDA3MzI3YjkzMw004))
Top Stories
