New MBMS Chinese class proves valuable to students

By Ari Howorth
Staff Writer

Wishing to expand on their language course catalogue and match that of other local schools, Manhattan Beach Middle School has made the intelligent decision to teach Mandarin Chinese 1 to seventh graders. The course is funded by the Confucius Institute of San Diego State University, alleviating funding issues to institute a potentially helpful program.

MBMS administration rightfully felt a need for reform within the language department due to a decrease in students taking French. After careful research of other
districts in the South Bay, the school decided that a third language must be offered. Among the most popular in local schools was Mandarin, which MBMS appropriately decided to adopt.

New teacher Shelly Liu, originally from Los Angeles Unified School District, along with equally qualified assistant teacher Sabrina Geng, are easing students into the class. By matching pictures familiar to the 60 enrolled students with Chinese phrases. The Confucius Institute has generously provided funding for the program, which MBMS applied for in 2009. The convenient source of funding as well as student interest will go far to ensure the program’s success.

MBMS has justifiably been looking to broaden the foreign language courses offered, and Chinese is a strong choice.
It both entices students due to its unfamiliarity as well as provides them with fluency in a language that is becoming increasingly beneficial in the business and economic world.

Chinese is intriguing to students, as it is a unique addition to their schedule. French and Spanish classes have been offered at MBMS for years but until now have been the only choices. It also interests those that follow global politics or economics, as many are aware that China is a growing superpower.

Like Liu, Geng is fluent in Chinese and works for the Confucius Institute, and her presence is helpful for the students because she not only can provide a second source of teaching, but she also runs Chinese culture club every Thursday. Students indulge in various engaging activities ranging from arts and crafts to making and eating Chinese food.

It may be argued that it is unfortunate for high school students interested in the program as they will not get an opportunity to learn Chinese at this time, but it will be offered to 8th graders next year, then to 9th graders and on from there. Like any new program, it requires time to get up and running successfully, and thus this program can’t be expected to accommodate all students in the first year. However, when the program finally comes to Costa, it will prove a valuable addition to the course catalogue.

MBUSD is looking to increase offered languages to further match and surpass other schools in the South Bay such as Redondo Union High School, which already offers Chinese 1-3.

The district is taking an intelligent approach by diversifying the course offerings in the language department. It is making progress in areas that were
previously lacking and students are energized. New languages provide not only interesting classes but unique skills as well.

The school should expect nothing less than an influx of students into this innovative program in the coming years and take the incentive to implement more languages in the future.