New Discoveries Montessori Academy students are saying, “Ni hao” to a new teacher this month. The phrase means, “hello,” and the teacher is Sarah DeKoster, a native of Beijing China, who is teaching them Mandarin Chinese.

Instruction began last week when first-, second- and third-graders began learning how to read, write and speak the language. This week, fourth- and fifth-graders began their lessons in Mandarin. DeKoster is also teaching them cultural aspects of Chinese.

Administrative Director Dave Conrad said students receive lessons in Mandarin 40 minutes a day, three days a week.

“Our New Discoveries founders have wanted to provide something in world language,” Conrad said. “So we had an informal meeting (with DeKoster) last summer and discusses adding language and cultural instruction in Mandarin.”

DeKoster arrived in Hutchinson in June of 2006. She studied Chinese and English at Shandong University in China and there she earned her bachelor of arts degree. She speaks Mandarin Chinese, English and Cantonese.

“It just seemed like a grand opportunity to pursue,” Conrad said. “Any foreign language enhances any experience you have with your native language.”

Conrad said DeKoster is thinking about earning an educational degree so she can teach on a more permanent basis. Currently, she provides lessons for students with the aid of a licensed teacher at New Discoveries. He said the state is moving in the direction of offering more Chinese language courses and he is happy the charter school is one of the first on board.

“It’s academically sound,” he said. “One reason for Chinese is the world economy. Minnesota is actively involved with trading in China. Many people from Hutchinson do business in China.”

For the full story, check out the Thursday, Jan. 25 print edition of the Leader.

(Lesley Christianson is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader.)
christianson@hutchinsonleader.com