St. Martin's Episcopal School on Airline Drive in Metairie will begin the yearlong Mandarin Enrichment Program.

Sixteen students in seventh through 12th grades will be selected to participate. In addition, the school plans a course in Chinese studies in January.

"With emphasis on the global perspective, the Mandarin Enrichment Program and the Chinese studies elective will help the school to strengthen and expand its cultural horizon," said Billie Andersson, director of teaching and learning at St. Martin's.

St. Andrew's Episcopal School on Oak Street in New Orleans added the Chinese language to its curriculum for sixth and seventh grades in 2007. This year it will offer the course to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. There will be two classes, one for beginners and one for the students who already have taken the course for a year.

The St. Andrew's class had an encouraging beginning in 2007. Not only did 10 students take the course, but they also demonstrated their Chinese language skills at the Asian Pacific-American Heritage Festival in May. Their talking and singing in Chinese were well-applauded.

"I enjoy studying Chinese," said student Rebecca Gemeinhardt. "It is not a easy language to learn, yet it is totally worth the effort."

"I chose to learn Chinese because I wanted to try something new," Isaac Constans said.

Qing Yang teaches Chinese language and culture classes in both schools. She also teaches Chinese language at the University of New Orleans and the Academy of Chinese Studies.

Yang organized the Chinese Club at St. Andrew's. Its membership is open to all students, further providing opportunities for them to know the land and people of China.