FREDERICK, Maryland–A group of Chinese teachers from all over Maryland gathered at the residence of Mrs. Elizabeth Chung, Director of LIFE & Discovery here last December 17 to discuss the growing needs of the Chinese language teachers in the region.

Participants included educators from public schools, private schools, heritage schools and colleges. They agreed to go ahead and incorporate the Chinese Language Educator's Associated Regional Network (C-LEARN), which will ensure that all those willing to learn it in the region can access the Chinese language and culture.

Early in 2006, the Frederick County Public School began a pilot program introducing Chinese as a course in four local schools: Urbana High and Middle Schools, Middletown High and Middle Schools. First to join was Banner School in Frederick. Frederick Chinese School (FCS) followed suit by offering a program at the Frederick Community College in September .

On December 10,, FCS successfully completed its first semester with a graduation ceremony. This was held at the local City Buffet Restaurant, during which they collaborated with UNESCO Center for Peace to commemorate the 2006 Human Rights Day simultaneously. For more info about the Frederick Chinese School, visit http://www.cecc-frederick.org or email Dr. Jianwei Zhu or Dr. Buyong Ma at info@cecc-frederick.org For info about the Chinese Language Educator's Associated Regional Network (C-LEARN), email Elizabeth Chung at echung@lifeanddiscovery.com