Despite being one of the most rural districts in the region, the Glendale School District is piloting one of the most progressive foreign language opportunities in the state.

For many years, Zheng Yu Jun taught English to students in Taiwan. This fall, she moved halfway across the world to teach Mandarin Chinese to students from Northern Cambria and southern Clearfield counties.

The idea to offer authentic studies in Chinese language and culture to Glendale students came about in large part because of China's growing economic, military and technological prowess.

Superintendent Dennis Bruno recognized a tremendous learning opportunity there and sought support from the World Language Coordinator for Pennsylvania and the Ministry of Education in New York to make it happen.

Zheng was one of 20 candidates interviewed for the position, and Bruno said getting her here was no easy task.

"It's just amazing the process. We expected her here in July. She didn't get here until September because we had lots of obstacles along the way," Bruno said. Although adjusting to life in the states took some time, Zheng said she loves the job and students are eager to learn.

Angel Ross, a sixth-grader , said, "It's fun, but some of the words are difficult. But she teaches well; she lays it out and you can understand it."

The first phase of Glendale's Mandarin Chinese project includes classes for every student in grades kindergarten through sixth. Zheng also teaches one junior high and one senior high school class.

"It's really hard, but it's rewarding. Being put out of your comfort zone teaches you a lot," said Miranda Martz, an 11th-grader .

In addition to the exiting class, Glendale schools plan to offer Zheng's lessons live over the Internet to participating school districts across the state next year. As many as 20 districts have already expressed interest, but Bruno said the real measure of success for the initiative starts and ends with the kids.

"The excitement on their faces when she walks in, that's what it's all about," Bruno said. "To generate that excitement to learn another language; to learn another culture."

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