Chile expanding China language program

For some in the Americas, China’s increasing inroads into the region is a
reason for worry and concern though for others it’s a prime chance for economic growth and development. It is no wonder then that (as we mentioned in 2006) Latin Americans are taking a greater interest in how to speak Mandarin and learn about Chinese culture.

Several governments in the Americas are eager to expand educational opportunities in order to fulfill that growing demand:

The Chilean Education Ministry announced on Wednesday the expansion of Chinese education in the country's high schools.

According to the ministry's plan, the number of high schools that run Chinese courses as a foreign language will rise from five to 10 in 2009 and the number of high school students learning Chinese will rise to 1,700 from 850 in 2008.

Rodrio Fabrega, chief of the "Languages Open Doors" program, said the country's demand for talents who can speak Chinese is increasing particularly in economic, cultural and tourism sectors, since a free trade deal between the two countries took effect in October 2006.

Image- The Globalist
Online Sources- Xinhua, The Latin Americanist, AFP