This year, Jesuit High School Sacramento introduced a new program to the World Language Department: Mandarin Chinese. Ms. Hong Zhu, the new Mandarin teacher, will teach incoming students interested in learning a non-Latin based language. 

Ms. Zhu has experience launching world language programs before, and she desired to bring Mandarin to Jesuit students.

“I actually taught Chinese language at another Jesuit high school on the East Coast, and I started their Chinese language program from the beginning, starting with the first level and then building up two, three levels of Mandarin Chinese,” Ms. Zhu said. “So after I moved here, I  started subbing [at] Jesuit, and then I realized that I actually had students who were very interested in possibly having a Chinese program here.”

The beginning of a new language program is just the start of Jesuit’s goal. Jesuit, along with Ms. Zhu, wants to expand the levels of Mandarin over the school’s years.

“I’m very happy to start a program here again, from nothing,” Ms. Zhu said. “From level one, and then hopefully we’ll build up to three or four levels of Chinese.”

While teaching Mandarin has different linguistic challenges than teaching Spanish or French, World Language’s Department Chair Ms. Kristie Quillen feels confident in Ms. Zhu’s ability to teach the language.

“[Ms. Zhu] has a style that seems to be very in touch with the students and breaking down the language to the most basic level,” Ms. Quillen said. “I believe she’s going to bring a more artistic approach because so much of it is involved in writing the characters. I think that’ll be a really unique experience for her students.”

Ms. Zhu’s goal is to not only introduce a new language to our community but also to familiarize students with Chinese culture.

 “I really want to encourage students to get to know China better,” Ms. Zhu said. “I always think, whatever the relationship is between China and America, they are always two big countries [with] big economies, [and] very different cultures.”

With the addition of Mandarin Chinese, Jesuit’s Language Department will take a step towards the future, with Ms. Zhu at the helm.