Mandarin Chinese being taught to high schools

Ms. Lesley Wang

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 24, 2012 (SKNIS): Students are now being taught Mandarin Chinese during afternoon sessions at the Washington Archibald High and the Basseterre High School.

Lesley Wang, who taught English to Elementary School students in Taiwan and Mandarin Chinese to foreign graduate students, stated that she will be teaching the students here the basics of the language.

According to Wang, the one year programme will have its challenges but will reap big rewards. It is not just about teaching vocabulary and pronunciation; it requires the commitment to developing real cultural awareness.

“I hope to give the students another way to understand this world,” she expressed.

Ms. Wang shared her experience of teaching the language so far, commenting that the high school students have been working diligently and are eager to learn more about the language and Taiwanese culture.

“I think it’s going pretty well. I like my students here. They are very enthusiastic and very interested in the lessons. Over all, I think they are doing great.”

Ms. Wang also explained the benefits of teaching this language to the students.

“I think with the rising of China, Mandarin Chinese will become another common language used around the world. Also, our government provides scholarships for students to study in Taiwan. So I think it’s good for them to have some basic knowledge of the language before they go to Taiwan to study.”

Ms. Wang will provide her students with the necessary training to transition seamlessly between the languages and cultures.

Classes are taught on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Washington Archibald High School and Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Basseterre High School.