This class is teaching Mandarin to residents. Many Chinese immigrants are living in this area and this helps everyone communicate. DP
Free Chinese lessons offered in Flushing
BY RACHEL SCHEIER, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
NYDailynews.com: New Chinese immigrants to the city have long struggled to master the language of their new home. Now some of their English-speaking neighbors are trying to return the gesture.
Thanks to popular demand, free classes in Mandarin are being offered weekly at the community center in the Bland Houses projects in downtown Flushing, the center of the city's largest Chinatown.
Donald Henton, 73, a retired MTA bus driver and longtime resident of the Bland Houses, said he broached the idea to Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) one night at a local political fund-raiser.
"We were at this meeting, and everyone was speaking Chinese," said Henton, who is on the advisory board for the Bland Houses Community Center.
"So I said, 'Why don't you get a class together so non-Asians can learn the language?'"
Liu approached Man-Li Kuo, a former Flushing resident who has been teaching Chinese language classes in her spare time for nearly 30 years.
Kuo volunteered to teach the classes, which will be held Wednesday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for 10 weeks, though Liu added that if interest is high, he will look into extending the classes. They are open to the entire community.
"Language is something to be embraced. It should not be a barrier to anyone," said Liu.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
1 comment:
I have been searching around trying to find a way to contact this group and join the lessons. Is it possible that you have this information or would know where to point me?
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