Mainstreaming and Professionalizing Chinese-Language Education: A New Mission for a New Century (7C Paper‪)‬

Since 1990, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) has satisfied the California foreign-language requirement and has been a part of the curriculum of many public schools and universities throughout the-state of California. Many students from Chinese heritage schools take Chinese classes in mainstream schools. The number has increased partly because of the beginning of SATII-Chinese in 1993. Due to a diverse student population, the growing number of second- and third-generation Chinese American students learning Chinese, and the AP Chinese courses and tests to be started by the College Board in the high schools in 2006 and 2007, Chinese programs at the K-16 (kindergarten to college senior) levels are on the increase. In addition, worldwide cultural and economic exchanges between China and the rest of the world make schools and parents more enthusiastic about starting a Chinese program for their students. We can indeed say that this new century is the century for moving Chinese language education from heritage schools to mainstream schools and the society. CURRENT CONDITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE-LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES