China News 2004/03/01

　　British linguist, David Graddol, in The Journal of Education Science his belief that in fifty years, the number of people using Mandarin as their mother tongue will surpass any other language. In the next ten years, Mandarin might very well become a necessary language to learn for people worldwide. Mr. Graddol further predicts that in the future, a multitude of languages will be used side by side. Those who possess English as their sole language will encounter difficulties in employment and politics.
　　An editorial from NanYang Business News points to the rapid economic growth and increase in power ever since China opened its markets. China has used this change to promote the importance of Chinese education and made Mandarin a global driving language. The number of overseas Chinese residing in Asian countries surpasses any other continent, with Malaysians and Singaporeans stressing the importance of Mandarin education the most. Glen Dudbridge, Director of the Institute for Chinese Studies at Oxford University said after his trip to Kuala Lumpur, “Mandarin has become the common language in Asia.” Even back in the days, countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam recognize the importance of a Mandarin education.
　　In the early 1960s, Chinese was not found on the keyboard. After the numerous protests of professionals, Chinese characters finally established its presence on the computer and connected people together. The Mandarin language has significantly increased in economic value following its increased usage on the Internet and the success of the Chinese and overseas Chinese people. Its unique cultural value continuously attracts potential students, forming the ‘Mandarin fervor’ at the end of the 20th century, and showin gno signs of stopping even in the 21st century.
　　A clear indication of the Mandarin fervor is the 60,000 students, not of Chinese ancestry, that have just enrolled in Mandarin education at a Chinese elementary school in Malaysia.