Why is Learning Chinese so Popular Now, Not 20 Years Ago?
为什么学中文最近火了起来，而不是20年前？
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
You might or might have not noticed this. A major shift is happening right now from learning Spanish, French, and other languages to Mandarin Chinese.
Thousands of New York City parents are now looking for a Mandarin-speaking teacher for their kids. Wealthy parents are incorporating Chinese nannies into their Upper East Side lifestyle.
Almost all of the progressive private schools in New York City offer Chinese programs now, including Avenues, the World School, and BASIS Independent Brooklyn. Learning Chinese has now become a new wave in the Big Apple and even worldwide.
You might ask, why now? Or, what has changed? To sum it up in two simple words, money and people.
Follow the Money: The Unstoppable Chinese Economy
China’s economy might not be growing as fast currently as it was five or ten years ago due to COVID-19, the opaque future of the trade war, the spread of African swine disease, the piling local government debts, the South China Sea conflicts, the tension between Mainland and Taiwan, and many other petty domestic problems.
However, China is just being China, and its economy is still expanding at a steady pace faster than most OECD countries. From 1979 until 2010, China’s average annual GDP growth was 9.91%. So far China’s economy is still like a Berkshire Hathaway stock that’s been performing so well that nobody wants to sell.
Several people started learning Chinese reasons claiming that their partner is Chinese or they want to visit China one day. Other intentions include that they’re from a Chinese family but missed the chance to study the language growing up. All of the above are valid reasons to study Chinese.
But, the one and only reason inclining all of these people to take on the challenge of learning Chinese is due to China’s booming economy. To put it in one word, money. Reasons? I’ve some hard facts here for you.
Thirty years ago, interracial marriages existed in China, but it never occurred to someone’s partner to learn Chinese. There wasn’t even any school in New York City that teaches Mandarin (Cantonese was the only option then).
Twenty years ago, Chinese parents were proud of their American-born Chinese kids if they were only able to speak English rather than Chinese.
Even ten years ago, when the budding Chinese internet companies started to capture the interest of the West, no one in New York City or Silicon Valley thought about hiring someone to teach them Chinese.
Why? Because China wasn’t economically impressive enough.
Today, we’re hired by the most valuable companies in the world to teach their employees to speak Chinese. Hundreds, if not thousands, New Yorkers reached out to us expressing their interest in learning the new global language. What has changed? The size of the Chinese economy.
Some economic reasons for learning Chinese:
I’m going to take a business trip to China soon.
Many of my co-workers are Chinese.
I work for a Chinese company.
The company I work for has business relations with China or Chinese manufacturers.
I have an increasing number of Chinese clients.
China has the biggest economy in the world. It’s where opportunities can be found.
The Fastest-Growing Demographic Group in America
Demography is another important reason that motivates people to learn Chinese, though it is often overlooked by the public eye.
Chinese populations exist in nearly all New York City neighborhoods now. New Yorkers have realized that they are surrounded by several Chinese communities. This growth is expanding toward newer neighborhoods. For the past two decades, Chinese people have become the majority of the population living in Flushing which before was predominantly a Korean community, as well as Bensonhurst which was previously an Italian community, and Sheephead Bay formerly known as a community inhabited by Russian people.
Now Chinese people are venturing toward creating communities in the Long Island area, including Big Neck, Little Neck, and Jericho.
International students also play a big role in promoting Chinese culture. “China is by far the biggest source of international students”, according to the Wall Street Journal. Chinese students are now the largest international student group with a total amount of 360,000 students in the U.S.
For the tenth consecutive year, China remained the largest source of international students in the United States in 2018/19 with 369,548 students in undergraduate, graduate, non-degree, and optional practical training (OPT) programs… (iie.org)
The youth and young adults from China are pouring billions of dollars to not only their universities, but also to their local communities, and eventually to Uncle Sam. They also bring their diligent work ethic and lifestyle to their American campus and future workplaces. If they get lucky, some might become an integral part of the American workforce.
Some demographic reasons for learning Chinese:
I like Chinese culture.
My partner is Chinese.
Growing up in a Chinese family background, I never learned Chinese.
My spouse is Chinese, and we want to raise our kids to be bilingual.
I’ve concluded that the major momentum for learning Chinese in recent years to economic and demographic reasons. However, by no means do I think these reasons are less ethical or legitimate. In addition, quite often the end result of pursuing one’s personal achievement can greatly benefit society as a whole.
My argument is no more than the brutal growth of the Chinese economy and the dramatic demographic change have become the catalyst for the exploding need to learn this new global language.
And, I do believe there are plenty of other reasons that are less utilitarian, and a good amount of people are learning Chinese because of their pure interest.
Other Reasons for Learning Chinese
Here are other objectives for why people are learning Chinese.
I’m good at languages. I speak many already so it shouldn’t be hard to pick up another one.
I enjoy challenging tasks.
Now that I finally have some time. I want to learn something new.
Comment below to share what your reason is for studying Chinese.