Learning Mandarin may help get jobs

Dec 13, 2010 - Fozia Yasin (The Asian Age)

What all can you do to keep up with your next-door neighbour? To begin with, talk to him in his language. This is not the only reason why the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to introduce Mandarin in schools. The move has also been made keeping in mind, the economic influence of China.
“China is our immediate neighbour and we can’t wish away its presence. Even if we have irritants, we strive to live in harmony. Also, China has emerged as a very important player at the international forum. So, learning their language is going to be beneficial for students,” said Priyadarsi Mukherji, Sinologist and professor in Chinese Language at JNU, who also heads the committee framing the syllabus for CBSE.
So, does it mean that French, Spanish and German are passé? “There are a lot of job prospects for those who know the language. There are openings in banks, BPOs, teaching and tour guides,” said Pritham Saha, 24, who has done BA in Chinese.
“I make around `10,000 per day as a tour guide,” he adds.
In the first phase, the language has been started from Class 6 and 7 in schools affiliated to CBSE. “Chinese is considered a difficult language to learn, and starting at an early age will help. We are trying to draft an India specific syllabus to make it easy for students,” adds Priyanka Sharma, a teacher.

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