Chinese language learning programs have been expanding rapidly in the US in recent years.

Participants at the ongoing Chinese Language Conference in Chicago say the enthusiasm in learning Chinese has been inspired by the recognition of China's rising importance and an increasing awareness to prepare the American students for a more interconnected world culture. Our US correspondent shanshan is in Chicago to tell us more.

This year, though amid the worst financial crisis in a century, the conference has still attracted more than 830 members from 46 states. Vishakha Desai, president of Asia Society, says it in a way is a testimony to the increasing interest in the Chinese language and culture in the US.

"Indeed, there has been more than 200% increase in the number of Chinese language programs that have been developed in the school just in the past 3 years. The Chinese programs that are represented here have come about in the initiatives and partnerships at many levels, from local schools to cities, states, the federal government, and the private sector. "

Apart from that, Chinese language has been added to the curriculum in many colleges and high schools in a bid to prepare the students to be more globally oriented, as Desai continues:

"As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, our educational systems need to become more globally oriented. Our young people need to learn each other's languages, they need the opportunity to get to know each other, because it is they who will be building the future and sharing the future of the 21st century."

Jon Huntsman, governor of the State of Utah, not only speaks fluent Chinese himself, but also has made Chinese language learning a priority in its education system. He says so far more than 6000 students in 82 schools in the state are learning Chinese.

"If you look at the world for what it is today, there are two languages that are critically important, for cultures, for commerce, for education and for world peace. And they are English and Mandarin Chinese. It doesn't take long to determine that for the next generation, the younger people, if they are going to maintain prosperity, and if they're going to progress economically, the knowledge of those two languages will serve them very well. "

While the participants at the Conference celebrate the growth of Chinese language teaching in the US, they also recognize the challenges in the field. Most of the programs are new and inexperienced. And there is a shortage of qualified teachers and effective textbooks.

According to the Annual Report released by China's National Office for Promoting Chinese Language, by the end of 2008, there are 3500 institutes of higher learning in more than 100 countries that have included Chinese language in their curriculum, and elementary and high schools are picking up quickly. Chinese language learners worldwide have exceeded 40 million.

SS, CRI news, Chicago.