Now city kids are learning Chinese in their school

Hyderabad|India|December'2011: City School teaches its young students Mandarin, the language which until recently figured no where is now become a must to be learnt foreign language. Now it is the most preferred language. Kids in Rockwell International are learning Chinese in their school. Just like how America is regarded as the land of opportunity for the global workforce, so will be China in the near future. Hence, we started teaching our tiny tots Mandarin, declared Rockwell International.

With the global business focus shifting from West to China, India may lose its edge as the largest pool of English speaking population. With this shift around the corner, there is going to be increasing interaction between India and China. Hence let us start learning Mandarin, commented Mr. Subash Boda, the young Chairman and Managing Director of Rockwell International School speaking on the sidelines of school's first anniversary where they felicitated Guru-Shishya duo of Badminton Champion Pullela Gopichand and P.V. Sindhu, National Badminton Player with a Guru-Shishya Award.

We are among the very few schools to realise this potential and started teaching Mandarin from Grade 1. They are learning Chinese as a 3rd language with focus on verbal skills. All schools introduce 3rd language only at 6th Grade, while Rockwell felt that a child could learn up to 7 language at younger age and hence the need for 3rd language from Grade 1 informed Mr. Subash. Many Indians speak English. But, knowing Mandarin will certainly give the greater international competitiveness. Union Minister Kapil Sibal is already supporting the idea of introducing Mandarin. It is always good for India to know what the world is saying.

A child who learns today the most sought after Chinese language Mandarin, will have an edge over others tomorrow. And will be a true global citizen.

In an era of ‘Made in China’ goods from toys to tyres, Indians are increasingly interacting with Chinese. But, of course with the help of the interpreter on whom they need to shell down heavily. And further unlike many western countries where business deals are documented in English, Mandarin is the language of all the agreements in China. It is the most widely spoken language in the world and one of the six official languages of United Nations. Hence, the need to learn Mandarin, added Subash.

Whole world is going to head to China and India in the near future. That is why Indian's learning Chinese language and Chinese learning Indian language.

Be a Roman when you are in Rome works well. Learning Mandarin puts one in advantageous position. Likewise Chinese are also learning Hindi, Mr. Subash said. This is an era of global economy where we are living in global village. Learning a foreign language or couple of them puts every one in advantageous position. So we decided to teach our young primary students Mandarin, he said and added that if you plan to deal with Chinese, learning their language will help develop trust.

About 200 Indian companies are said to be working in China already. Many Indian IT companies are already setting up shops in China said a veteran IT professional addressing Management Graduates of IMT recently. But, there are only 40 Chinese companies doing business in India may be because of language inadequacies. Many Indian companies are already asking their workforce to learn Mandarin.

Even our Union Government recognises the importance of getting trained in Chinese language. It is believed that even primary education board already started work on introducing Chinese in schools.

CBSE's notification issued last year too supports this view of introducing Mandarin language from sixth standard. Already Mandarin is being learnt aggressively in many American colleges.

India is already considering introducing the teaching of Mandarin in state schools. China is India's largest trading partner and immediate neighbour. Many Indians speak English. Mandarin would give them greater international competitiveness. Many universities include Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, Benaras Hindu University in Uttar Pradesh and Visva Bharati University in West Bengal. JNU alone has around 190 students for Chinese language courses from undergraduate to PhD level and the authorities say the number of students has increased over the years.

Taiwan pledges support to supply 10,000 Mandarin teachers for India. The high schools in India which are beginning to teach Mandarin as second foreign language are in need of 10,000 Chinese teachers informed Deputy Education Minister of Taiwan Lin TSong recently in India.

Mandarin training is also in full swing in many countries like UK, where it is the fourth most studied language after French, Spanish and German.