Schools

Grant Brings Mandarin Chinese To Etowah

Etowah High School this year will offer Mandarin Chinese through a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Etowah High School will be the first in the Cherokee County School District to offer Mandarin Chinese language classes.

The school will be able to achieve this feat with the help of a program sponsored by the U.S. Department State. 

The school won the grant through the department's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs program and will also host a Chinese language teacher as part of its 2013-14 Teachers of Critical Languages Program.  

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The program is done in conjunction with the American Councils for International Education organization, which also coordinates the program. The program helps American schools and districts to expand their offering of specific foreign language programs. 

Etowah Principal Keith Ball said the schools two Chinese I classes, which will be open to about 60 students, will also be taught by an exchange teacher hailing from China. That teacher will be provided through the Department of State. 

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He also noted students from neighboring Woodstock High School also have been invited to enroll in the classes at Etowah. 

"Etowah’s mission statement was our guiding light, as it charges us with producing productive community and global citizens," Ball said, referring to why the school pursued the grant. "I firmly believe that world languages and cultures are crucial to executing our mission with fidelity."

The principal added the application process was "extremely demanding," and gave credit to Assistant Principal for Curriculum Tonya Sebring and World Language Department Head Dr. Claudia Larrotta for making the dream a tangible reality. 

Also, through the use of video-conferencing technology, Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy, which is part of the Etowah Zone, also will benefit as students will be able to participate in weekly classes with the teacher to learn about Chinese language and culture. 

Etowah now offers four languages: Chinese French, German and Spanish.  

Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo noted the district "has a history of innovation in teaching and learning through projects funded by competitive grants."

"In these challenging financial times, we are focused on exploring new sources of revenue to further expand opportunities for our students and teachers to master greater knowledge, especially knowledge like the Chinese language, which will be crucial for our graduates, as they enter the global marketplace of today and tomorrow," he added. "Congratulations to Etowah High and to all of the students who will benefit from this partnership."

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