The world is quickly changing economically and because of a terrorist threat. These conditions put Chinese and Arabic in demand for our economic success and safety.
Demand
There is a tremendous demand for Chinese teachers. Teacher candidates from China are being recruited to teach for 1-2 years in the United States without a teaching certificate. Their primary qualification is to know fluent Chinese. There are only a few qualified teachers per state in the United States. Most schools offer Spanish, French or German but these languages do not have the importance of Chinese and Arabic in the real world.
Teacher Shortage
The need for teachers of these languages just compounds a general teacher shortage that is predicted to get worse in the next 10 years when many veteran teachers with impressive experience and credentials retire. Teachers face more serious issues teach year:
- Violence in the classrooms
- Cheating
- Disrespect by students and parents
- Lack of funding
- Students with English as a second language
- No Child Left Behind
- Homeless students
- Poor working conditions
- Bullying
- Low salaries compared to other professions
- Unaffordable housing
Many teachers are throwing in the towel after just five years in the profession. While some states are trying to improve educational funding, teachers are drastically underpaid as a career requiring a Bachelor's Degree.
Related article: Khalil Gibran Academy in NYC
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Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
