Chinese immersion programs in Utah continue to grow

RIVERTON — First-graders in Susan Shumway's Chinese immersion class at Foothills Elementary School in Riverton never hear her speak English. And after the first half of the school year, they never speak English to her, either.

Everything in class is done in Mandarin, regardless of whether they are studying vocabulary words or math. They even color in Chinese — singing familiar children's songs, but with oh so unique lyrics, as they color and cut at their desks.

State-directed curriculum for this immersion program began in 2009 with the urging of the Mandarin-speaking governor at the time, Jon Huntsman Jr., and legislative support sponsored by Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper. The program continues to grow with the support of current Utah Gov. Gary Herbert.

Huntsman and Herbert are together this week in China as Herbert leads a trade mission in the waning days of Huntsman's tour as U.S. ambassador there.

Spanish immersion programs in Utah still outnumber those teaching Mandarin, but both programs are strong and growing. By the time the next school year begins in the fall, the state expects to see about 2,200 elementary school students and 5,000 students in secondary schools studying Mandarin.

"We're adding schools as fast as we can," said Gregg Roberts, world language specialist for the Utah State Office of Education, who said limited funding is the only reason the immersion program is not growing even faster.

Roberts said the governor would like to have 100 dual-immersion programs in five languages with 30,000 students by 2015.

"Next year, Utah will have approximately one-third of all Chinese immersion programs in the country," he said. Programs will also continue in Spanish and in French. The state has chosen, but not announced, what additional languages it will add, Roberts said.

Carolyn Gough, world languages consultant for the Jordan School District's dual immersion program, said children learn languages quickly and see the greatest measure of success when they start young.

"People who are savvy about business recognize the world is no longer round. It's a flat, spreading economy, and China is where a lot of our business opportunities are going to be in the near future," Gough said. "I think most parents recognize there's a great opportunity for their children to know and speak Chinese."

"It's all about economics, economics, economics," Roberts said. "We know that students will be farther ahead and have jobs skills if they are fluent in Chinese."