Foreign Languages Fade in Class — Except Chinese
Thousands of public schools stopped teaching foreign languages in the last decade, according to a government-financed survey — dismal news for a nation that needs more linguists to conduct its global business and diplomacy.  But another contrary trend has educators and policy makers abuzz: a rush by schools in all parts of America to offer instruction in Chinese. Sam Dillon, The New York Times, Jan. 25, 2010