CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Tan Ying Hua used a little body English to emphasize the proper tone, pronunciation and voice pitch needed to say the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Chinese.

He did the same for numbers 6 through 20, as he walked his nine new Chinese I students through the basics with hand gestures and other movements to guide each word.

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Tan Ying Hua teaches a class in Chinese at South Charleston High School.

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Tan, a native of Zao Zhuang in the Shandong province of China, will teach Chinese over the next year at South Charleston High School.

Tan is one of 13 Chinese teachers in schools across nine West Virginia counties. Students at Sissonville and Lincoln County high schools and Winfield Middle and Winfield High also learn Chinese, according to Robert Crawford, the coordinator of world languages for the state Department of Education.

Tan will return to China at school year's end. Mike Arbogast, the South Charleston principal, said for Tan to teach in America is considered an honor in his native China.

At the end of the semester, Tan hopes that students will learn how to speak in basic interactions and learn a bit about Chinese culture.

"We hope that students can understand Chinese daily life, school life and personal life," he said.

In class, Tan had the students pass by each other and give a common 'Hello, how are you?' or another everyday gesture.

"They gradually get used to the teaching, the way of teaching," Tan said. "After they have learned how to speak, they can use it in real situations [and] then know when and where to use it, the expressions, the ways."

Caila Redd, an 11th-grader at South Charleston, said she really hopes to learn about Chinese culture. Tan told Redd and her classmates that in China, the teachers change classrooms in spots throughout the day, not the students.

At the start of class in China, the students stand up and greet the teacher, who returns the pleasantry, she said.

She learned more about the language last week, as well.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Tan Ying Hua used a little body English to emphasize the proper tone, pronunciation and voice pitch needed to say the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Chinese.

He did the same for numbers 6 through 20, as he walked his nine new Chinese I students through the basics with hand gestures and other movements to guide each word.

"No, keep your tongue," he told one student during the first week of classes.

Tan, a native of Zao Zhuang in the Shandong province of China, will teach Chinese over the next year at South Charleston High School.

Tan is one of 13 Chinese teachers in schools across nine West Virginia counties. Students at Sissonville and Lincoln County high schools and Winfield Middle and Winfield High also learn Chinese, according to Robert Crawford, the coordinator of world languages for the state Department of Education.

Tan will return to China at school year's end. Mike Arbogast, the South Charleston principal, said for Tan to teach in America is considered an honor in his native China.

At the end of the semester, Tan hopes that students will learn how to speak in basic interactions and learn a bit about Chinese culture.

"We hope that students can understand Chinese daily life, school life and personal life," he said.

In class, Tan had the students pass by each other and give a common 'Hello, how are you?' or another everyday gesture.

"They gradually get used to the teaching, the way of teaching," Tan said. "After they have learned how to speak, they can use it in real situations [and] then know when and where to use it, the expressions, the ways."

Caila Redd, an 11th-grader at South Charleston, said she really hopes to learn about Chinese culture. Tan told Redd and her classmates that in China, the teachers change classrooms in spots throughout the day, not the students.

At the start of class in China, the students stand up and greet the teacher, who returns the pleasantry, she said.

She learned more about the language last week, as well.

"So far this week we've just learned how to say: 'Nice to meet you,' 'My name is' and 'Hello, how are you?'"

Amelia Courts, executive director for the Office of English as a Second Language and International Schools in the state Department of Education, said Chinese and other foreign language classes are a key element of the state's 21st Century Skills push.

In part, that learning model emphasizes communication skills and better awareness of global issues.

"Economically, China has stepped up to the world stage and is a major economic force in the world today," she said.

Crawford said some middle and elementary school children are learning Chinese. One elementary school in Monongalia County, two middle schools and Morgantown High School offer Chinese.

"We know students learn languages easier at the younger ages," Courts said.

Harrison County also has expanded Chinese classes beyond Bridgeport High School, Crawford said.

Although most of the Chinese teachers only have a one-year commitment, Crawford said the schools' current Chinese programs are expected to continue each year.

Arbogast said Tan gets a little homesick, but is excited to learn what he can about American culture. He said Tan "wants to read everything I can give him."

Arbogast calls Tan by the name "Fred," which he'd picked up in an English class.

Tan said he enjoys the beauty of West Virginia. The people, he said, are friendly and very helpful.

"I find West Virginia really is a beautiful state," he said. "Everywhere is scenery."       

Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 348-1254.