Chinese should be taught in schools: education minister
A review of language learning in schools is required to meet the demands of the global market climate says Sweden’s education minister Jan Björklund who is advocating Chinese lessons for college students.
Liberal Party leader Björklund adds that children in Sweden should start learning English at a earlier age, in the first grade rather than the third or fourth grade as it is today.
Speaking to Sveriges Radio news, he proposes a language learning reform to be introduced in the next election period and points towards bringing Chinese into the classroom.
“Economic relations with this huge country are going to become more and more important,” he said. “I think it would be advantageous if we have a number of young people who learned Chinese.”
A lack of Chinese teachers means it could take up to 15 years before the language is as widespread as French, German and Spanish in the education system.
The proposal has yet to be approved by parties in the coalition government but Björklund does not foresee any opposition on the matter.
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Liberal Party leader Björklund adds that children in Sweden should start learning English at a earlier age, in the first grade rather than the third or fourth grade as it is today.
Speaking to Sveriges Radio news, he proposes a language learning reform to be introduced in the next election period and points towards bringing Chinese into the classroom.
“Economic relations with this huge country are going to become more and more important,” he said. “I think it would be advantageous if we have a number of young people who learned Chinese.”
A lack of Chinese teachers means it could take up to 15 years before the language is as widespread as French, German and Spanish in the education system.
The proposal has yet to be approved by parties in the coalition government but Björklund does not foresee any opposition on the matter.
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