The Chinese language is complex and exotic, and many Southern Lehigh students are excited to learn about it. That’s why Ms. Zhang Yujing is eager to teach Southern Lehigh students Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture for the 2015-16 school year.

Ms. Yujing participates in a program at Wuhan University in China that sends over 100 students to various schools in the United States to teach Mandarin Chinese to American students. She is majoring in Chinese Language at her university.

“I am the only PhD in the program, and I have two more years of school left after I return to China,” Ms. Yujing said.

Although this is her first time teaching in the U.S., she has past experience teaching Mandarin Chinese to Korean students in China, as well as teaching English to Chinese students.

From the get-go, students have enjoyed having Ms. Yujing as a teacher.

“We both like her because she isn’t strict but still gets the job done. She’s a good teacher,” seniors Chris Smith and Jacob Cassel said.

Many students are interested in learning Chinese because of its growing significance in our global society.

“China is becoming a larger and larger economic influence on the world, so I feel like learning Chinese can benefit my career path in the long run,” Smith said, “We’re glad we have a good teacher like Ms. Yujing.”

Outside of school, Ms. Yujing enjoys calligraphy, singing, reading, and swimming. She also enjoys American culture.

“If I could meet any famous person, I would want to meet the President of the United States,” she said.

Ms. Yujing hopes that by the end of the year she will teach Southern Lehigh students about Chinese language and culture so that will benefit their daily lives.

“I want to teach students something they will remember forever.”