By Alex Wycoff
Staff Writer
In the upcoming 2013-14 school year, Costa will add four Mandarin classes to its Foreign Language Department.
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District first implemented the program at Manhattan Beach Middle School in the 2010-11 school year.
“Learning a foreign language is a critical component of ‘twenty-first century’ education,” Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. “As education, culture, politics and economies become more global, it is necessary that our students are prepared to compete. Adding Mandarin does this.”
According to French Costa teacher Lauri Gonalons, even with the addition of Mandarin classes, MBUSD will make no additional cuts to the French program.
“We have two scheduled full-time French teachers at Costa right now, which is more than we’ve had in about ten years,” Gonalons said. “And the number of French students next year is expected to double as compared to other years. Our program is stronger than ever.”
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