Anyone who has been forced to learn a language — whether an immigrant coming in or a missionary going out — knows how frustrating and time-consuming it can be. One Mexican immigrant compared it to giving birth to a cactus.

And experts all agree. The best time to learn a tongue is when you're young, and the best way to learn is to be immersed in it.

That's why we applaud those behind the Utah Chinese School. There, children and professionals are filling their heads with Mandarin Chinese. And the vision of the school and its students should be commended. Other Utah schools now offering Mandarin as a class should be saluted as well.

Most social scientists claim that the focus in the future will be south (Latin America) and east (China). China is poised to become a blockbuster business, cultural and political frontier. Taking the old Boy Scout motto to heart — be prepared — is the best way to ensure security and prosperity for one's family and the country. The day will come when speaking Chinese will vault an applicant to the top of the list for a job.

How many people slap their foreheads when they think of how they dropped out of Spanish class years ago? Spanish is now a marketing bonanza for people looking to become teachers, diplomats, court workers, police officers, lawyers, politicians, doctors, nurses, religious leaders and businessmen.

And Mandarin Chinese will be just around the bend.

Dual language programs do exist in Utah schools, but only in Spanish. Yet those in the know are pushing for more immersion in Mandarin for children whose brains are supple and ready for lasting impressions. Utah is currently working with Portland, Ore., where Mandarin immersion programs are highly regarded. If Utah can find the funds, similar ventures may be up and running here by 2009.

We hope so.

Americans suffer from enough cases of "if only." (If only I'd invested with Bill Gates, bought real estate in Sandy, learned Spanish.) Language visionaries are now hoping to keep one more "if only" from the list — "If only I'd learned Mandarin before China became the center of attention."

We say, best of luck.