Japanese and Chinese Included in U.S. High School Curriculum

Japanese and Chinese languages will be added to the U.S. high school curriculum starting from 2006, the International Herald Tribune reported on December 8. This is the first time that Asian languages are included in the high school education program.

The U.S. College Board announced that starting from 2006, Japanese and Chinese language courses will be offered in the Advanced Placement (AP) program. The AP courses are taught in high school and the credits are recognized by universities.

Currently, French, Spanish, German, and Latin are supported under the AP program. The president of the U.S. College Board, Gaston Caperton, explained that the decision was taken in an "effort to further multiculturalism and multilingualism in secondary schools and to prepare students for an increasingly interconnected global economy.”

Vivien Stewart, vice president at the Asia Society, which is a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote a better understanding between the Asian countries and the United States, said that this decision signifies a shift in market, and that it will give a big incentive to the students wishing to learn Asian languages.

"If young Americans are to take on challenging global leadership roles in the future, they must possess a deep understanding of and appreciation for other cultures, geography, history and languages," said Stephanie Bell-Rose, president of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, one of the world’s leading investment banks.

Hyung-June Park lovesong@donga.com