Immigrant-led group looks to broaden Chinese language program's appeal
Only as little as 10 years ago, many Chinese immigrants to Clark County, mostly from the island nation of Taiwan, spent much of their time brushing up on the language of their adopted country.
On Sunday, Sept. 12, some of these native Chinese speakers, founders of the American West Vancouver Chinese School, will embark on another fall semester in a different role, teaching calligraphy and painting, folk dancing and, perhaps most importantly given the growing importance of Far Eastern markets on the regional economy, Mandarin Chinese.
According to the school's principal, Marion Wong, this year marks the first time in its 11-year history that the program has been opened up to the area's business community.
"What we are most eager to see from our students is an open heart," said Wong, a fluent Chinese speaker who emigrated from Hong Kong to Vancouver, B.C. as a child. "We are looking for people who care about learning not only our language, but our culture as well."
Open every Sunday from early September to mid-January at Clark College's Hanna Hall, the program offers three classes each week consisting of two formal language sessions, followed by an optional third class covering traditional Chinese culture.
The school teaches students a combination of zhuyin and hanyupinyin – phonetic systems used to transcribe Chinese characters. Classes are categorized from Level 1 to 7 by the student's mastery of reading and pronunciation of the Chinese language.
From its traditional base of second- and third-generation immigrants, many of whom attend classes from age 4 onwards, the school hopes to expand to older students – including those in the business arena looking to learn even the most basic Chinese language skills.
"Having the tools to begin a conversation – that has tremendous benefits, whether it's a business dinner or a casual meeting," Wong said.
Founded in 1998, the school started as a result of immigration driven by job-growth at Southwest Washington firms such as Wafertech, which drew Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese to a burgeoning tech sector.
Perhaps ironically, the school's newest wave of expansion may come courtesy of growth from companies back in the Far East, with many regional manufacturers, distributors and groups like Columbia River Economic Development Council focusing on increasing trade to China.
As for students daunted by the challenge of mastering an intricate, sophisticated and ancient language, Wong provided some confidence-building perspective.
"Just as many here recognize the importance of learning Chinese," she said. "Many Chinese business people recognize there is a need to learn English, which can be equally daunting."
Classes are $150 per semester. For more information, visit www.awvchineseschool.us.
