My husband and I are learning Chinese - from our Westside school kindergartner.

Twice a week she and her classmates listen intently to their teacher, Hong Jiang, a former broadcast journalist in China who founded the Seattle Chinese Academy as well as the program at Westside.

She gently guides the children through language and character exercises, capturing their imaginations and opening their minds to consider language in a new way. Her teaching methods reflect Westside's philosophy that all children should find joy in learning and by exposing students to Chinese in a fun, enthusiastic manner Westside reinforces another tenet of its mission statement - disparate cultures and people possess far more commonalities than differences.

Across the country schools are clamoring to introduce Chinese into their curriculums. As China gains greater influence in world politics as well as the international economy, educators and international analysts nationwide believe that America will be left behind if we fail to recognize the significance of China's impact on the world.

In the Northwest, the reasons to learn Chinese are compelling because one in three jobs in Washington are directly or indirectly supported by international sales. Ranked second to California in state exports, Washington's trade with China totaled over $15 billion in 2002.

More people speak Chinese than any other language in the world. In fact, it is the oldest surviving language and has immense influence in East Asia. According to Scott McGinnis, an academic advisor at the Defense Language Institute in Washington, Chinese language courses across the country, from elementary school through adult programs, have tripled in 10 years. Educators do not want to be left behind as China continues to ascend as an international power.

A Senate bill has been introduced to spend $1.3 billion over five years on Chinese language programs and cultural exchange programs in schools. In Chicago there is a waiting list of schools hoping to offer Chinese and with the growing demand for Chinese language programs a shortage of teachers is common throughout the United States. Half a dozen states plan to sign agreements with the Chinese government to bring language teachers from China.

Westside is on the cutting edge of this exciting trend in education and reflects its commitment to provide its students with enrichment courses addressing evolving global realities. The school strives to impart the importance of the United States as a benevolent force interested in cultivating alliances with divergent cultures. Our children are the future diplomats, translators and business people of the world; we must equip them with the strongest tools possible for their journey into the future and Westside helps make this happen.

Westside School is accredited through the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent School and offers preschool through fifth grade education.

Kit Cudahy is a parent whose child attends Westside.