Editorial: Learn lingo of our future

Vivien Ting, Tauranga Girls' College principal Pauline Cowens and Mandarin teacher Li Feng. Photo/George Novak

I loved learning languages at school and although I no longer really use them, having the knowledge of how different languages work has been immensely useful in life and work.

Even Latin, the supposed "dead language" has been one of the most useful things I ever learned.

In 2014, Mandarin is a popular second language to learn, understandably given the importance of the Chinese economy.

It could also be a useful language to exchange a few words with your neighbours. Census figures released this year showed the Western Bay of Plenty is a becoming more multi-cultural with only 79 per cent of residents identifying as European, compared with 90 per cent in 2006. The number of people who identified as being of Asian ethnicity has risen by 86 per cent to 8235.

Some Tauranga businesses and schools are taking up learning Mandarin as Sonya Bateson reported on Tuesday.

The Chinese Community School based at Tauranga Girls' College has expanded this year to include primary schools in its reach, as well as giving high school and adult student lessons in Mandarin and Chinese culture, art and customs.

The school had expanded this year to include three primary schools - Gate Pa, Greenpark and Oropi.

This is a fantastic opportunity for these children. The earlier one learns a language the more it can have additional benefits for enriching one's understanding of the mother tongue.

Because of the expansions, the school was entitled to two Mandarin language assistants from The Confucius Institute at Victoria University, an organisation dedicated to promoting artistic, cultural and intellectual exchange between China and New Zealand.

Funding is always a challenge for any learning outside the curriculum - in New Zealand the teaching of languages is optional. Compare this with Australia where pre-election Tony Abbott's vision was for every Australian preschooler to learn a second language.

Living with and doing business in Mandarin is going to be a reality for children in the future. It is great to see Mandarin classes flourishing in Tauranga.