Demand surges for Mandarin lessons

Over 1,500 teachers instructed 400,000 students in US institutions last year

As more than 1,000 Chinese language teachers gathered in Houston to exchange the latest ideas in teaching, education leaders from the United States and China recounted the achievement of Chinese learning in the US over the past decade on the opening day of the 10th National Chinese Language Conference on Thursday.

Chinese learning in the US has made tremendous progress, said Linda Liu, vice-president of the US nonprofit College Board. "Not only has the interest in learning Chinese grown, but also the proficiency of understanding Chinese language and culture has grown with it," Liu said.