For years, American high school students have learned these words in introductory foreign language classes. In 1999, there is a slightly different twist on the translation. No, the meaning of the words hasn't changed. What's changed is the age at which students begin learning the meaning and pronunciation of the words. Parents who remember foreign language instruction beginning in high school, now see their own children learning the same things as early as kindergarten.
Research shows the early elementary years as the optimum time to learn new languages.
By the teen years, language aptitude begins to decline. In the fall of 1999, a new strand in Mandarin Chinese also will be added to the network's broadcast line-up. Well, the numbers pretty well speak for themselves. All classes are fast-paced, colorful, and promote interactivity. Puppets, animation, and a variety of other techniques make these programs highly engaging for elementary students.