For the past three years, The Study has responded to this reality by including Mandarin as an option in its Grade 8 and 9 third-language programs.

This year, more than 30 students at the high school level elected to study Mandarin, and over 20 junior school students enrolled in the after-school classes.

And the students are catching on quickly.

“In primary school, it’s amazing how quickly and easily the students learn and remember the language,” says Tracy Tang, The Study's Mandarin teacher.

In addition to learning the spoken language, students are taught voice intonation and how to draw characters, which are combined into ongoing class discussions that are conducted entirely in Mandarin.

“Forget everything you’ve learned about French or English,” said Chloe Tait, 15, a grade 10 Mandarin student. “The way your mouth has to move to make a sound is so different with Mandarin. The first lesson our teacher taught us was how to shape your tongue to make the sounds.”

“Teaching the culture is an integral part of understanding the language,” says Tang, who was born in Wuhan China, and completed her Master’s degree in education at McGill University. “For example, just the other day we went to Chinatown for a first-hand Chinese experience – the girls had a wonderful time and were delighted with their ability to be understood.”

Last year, 12 senior school students from The Study went to China during spring break to experience a variety of Chinese cities.

And enthusiastic Mandarin students can continue on with their study of the language in grade 10 and 11 should they choose Mandarin as one of their electives.

“It’s a hard language but the course makes us learn it easily,” says Jessica Magonet, a Grade 10 Mandarin student.

“It’s the most spoken language in the world,” said Kiara Kaminski, 15. “You can use Mandarin in your future and in business. The Chinese economy is booming so it can only help career-wise.”

“Given where these girls will go professionally, Mandarin will be a reality,” said Antonia Zannis, director of the Senior School. “If we didn’t acknowledge the importance of the Chinese language in today’s world, we wouldn’t be teaching things that really matter.”