Learning is a Treasure

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”
–Chinese Proverb

Thinking about learning Chinese? You are in good company! In the last seven to eight years alone the number of people learning Chinese around the world has increased to over 35 million! The number of students studying Chinese in the USA has also increased dramatically and Chinese is the second most spoken language in US homes after English and Spanish. So why are more people learning Chinese?

Here are some compelling reasons to learn this great language:

• More than 1.3 billion people speak Chinese as their first language. Chinese is spoken by approximately 1/5 of the world’s population!
• China continues to be an important economic powerhouse and is expected to be one of the greatest economic engines of the 21st century;
• China will continue to play an influential and crucial role in global affairs;
• Chinese culture and civilization boasts over 6,000 years of extraordinary accomplishments in fields including the sciences, arts, finance, education, architecture and philosophy;
• Chinese is on the list of “Critical Needs Languages” that is to say that proficiency in Chinese is of great importance to the United States in terms of economic and geopolitical opportunities.

Many people plan trips abroad to practice their Chinese and to “live the language.” Practicing your Chinese in Beijing or Singapore can be an immensely rewarding experience. For learners who want that to enjoy that “immersion feeling” closer to home there are a few places that can provide great opportunities for practicing Chinese and learning about and enjoying the pleasures of Chinese culture. Whether you are drinking aromatic green tea, learning the fine art of calligraphy, watching a great movie or enjoying delicious dim sum dishes you will be most surprised to know that you can enjoy these experiences in places like San Franciso’s Chinatown or New York’s China Institute. These places, for many native Chinese speakers, are often a “home away from home.” For many Sinophiles (admirers of Chinese language and culture) these places are as close a trip to the Chinese speaking world as they will ever get without having booked a flight!

San Francisco’s Chinatown

San Francisco’s China town is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest Chinatown in North America. Here you will hear Chinese spoken, practice your Chinese and immerse yourself in the following experiences:

• Visit an herbal shop and learn about the wonders and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. Many of these shops will allow you to try some remedies and to confer with the herbalists who are happy to share health suggestions and remedies.
• Take photos of buildings in the areas. Some buildings showcase traditional elements of Chinese architecture such as the Bank of America building. This building enables you to appreciate features like the golden dragons that appear on the columns of the building.
• Enjoy Dim Sum, which means literally “touching the heart,” in one of the many authentic and delicious restaurants in Chinatown. Dim Sum are small dishes enjoyed with tea, generally served in the morning through lunch. Many people enjoy Dim Sum as a kind of brunch. Selections include dumplings, buns and small meat, fish, vegetable and fruit dishes.

The China Institute, NYC

The China Institute is a cultural center founded by Chinese and American educators in 1926. Its mission is to develop greater understanding of Chinese culture through educational and cultural programs. Some of the wonderful opportunities that await learners are:

• Improve your Chinese by enrolling in one of the many Chinese courses offered by experienced and dedicated teachers. Learn all levels of Chinese, Chinese for Business or even learn the art of calligraphy
• Attend an art exhibit, a film screening or a lecture on literature, listen to a music concert or attend a film screening and you will enhance your appreciation and understanding of the important role of the arts in Chinese culture
• Attend a Corporate Forum or a China Briefcase Series. These are a series of discussions, networking and information seeking forums for professionals from the business world to enable them to share innovative ideas, discuss challenges and create opportunities.

Of course, you need not go to San Francisco or New York. A Chinese presence exists in almost every American city, at least in the form of local restaurants owned and operated by native Chinese with whom you might try honing your Chinese language skills. Go at an off-hour when staff has time to chat with you.

Sources and Further Information

Contact at the Ministry of Education, Beijing

Discussion with China Institute staff in NYC

Litvinov, Amanda. "Adapting to the global age means having a voice in it. Can America's schools break the language barrier?" National Education Association.

Museum of Chinese in America.

"NSLI Frequently Asked Questions." Department of Education.

"Research for a Better Understanding." American Council for the Teaching of Languages, 2008.

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