Chinese Students Learn American Way

Thirty students from the People’s Republic of China--thought to be that nation’s future leaders--are spending a year at Hale Middle School, learning the American way.

The students are the second group of sixth- through eighth-graders to attend Hale from China, sent by a private boarding school.

The smiles on the students’ faces and easy demeanor in their classes and on the playground belie a serious devotion to their studies.

During the week, the students are together in class for four periods, studying math, science, English and social studies. They are taught by a bilingual education teacher. For the other subjects, physical education and an elective course, the students are in classes with Hale students.

On Saturdays the students receive school work in Chinese, including mathematics lessons from Heroes China, their exclusive private school in Guangzhou.

Although they are a studious group, the students do hope to engage in more lighthearted pursuits.

“We want to go to Disneyland,” said Ruby Liao, 12, to nods of agreement and giggles from her classmates.

The students have been in the United States since early September and have only a rudimentary grasp of English. But program sponsors and their hosts at school expect that the students will have a greater fluency in English by the end of the school year.

The first group of 75 Chinese students to attend Hale came in 1994, but because of problems gaining permission from the Chinese government, none came last year, said Hale Principal Jeanie Leighton.

Organizers hope this visit signifies the start of a long-term exchange program.

Paul Jajan, the American liaison between the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Chinese school, said the program was established to give Heroes’ best students a chance to study American culture.

The students’ newfound knowledge will help with relations between the U.S. and China in the future, Jajan said.

“These students will mature into positions of leadership and influence, and this is an experience that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives,” he said.