1 Million Strong, an initiative of US-China Strong, seeks to greatly expand the number of American students learning the Mandarin language in grades K-12. The initiative’s goal is to increase the current number of students studying Mandarin from approximately 200,000 to 1 million by the year 2020. With expanded language learning at the K-12 level, the 1 Million Strong is working to equip the next generation of leaders with a deep understanding of the Chinese language and critical world issues. The initiative was launched in 2015 when it was announced by President Barack Obama and Xi Jinping.
The campaign endorses Mandarin curriculum norms for grades K-12 as well as expanded teacher training to more than double the number of Mandarin language teachers in the US. It also promotes the adoption of technology platforms to increase accessibility of Mandarin language in all communities, especially those in underserved areas. US-China Strong is working with educational leaders and elected officials at the state and local level in order to implement these three pillars and achieve the goals of the 1 Million Strong Initiative.
1 Million Strong follows 100K Strong, a presidential initiative led by US-China Strong to send 100,000 American students to study abroad in China by 2014. The goal was surpassed and increasing study abroad opportunities for American students in China remains part of US-China Strong’s core mission.
The US-China Strong Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is working towards strengthening relations between the US and China. The organization invests in educational programs to grow the next generation of American leaders with the knowledge and skills to effectively engage with China, America’s most rapidly growing trade partner.
Robert Roche 