I am proposing the replacement of French language studies, with that of Mandarin Chinese, recently selected by the Chinese government as the country's official language. Colleagues who have worked in China also recommended Mandarin as the dialect of choice. The major responsibility of our educators is to prepare our children for the future; this foreign language change would help them achieve that result and at minimal budget consequences.

French used to be the language of diplomacy. I believe we can all agree that English is now the de facto language of diplomacy, as well as, of commerce and science. Given the declining French birthrates, they will, in all likelihood, be speaking Arabic in the near future anyway.

Not that I consider the Chinese to be an ally, however, they will be our major commercial trading partner and/or competitor in the future. Our children should be in a position to participate in that growing commerce.

Alternately, China has stated its desire to increase its influence, with weapons purchases from the Russians and Europeans, in the Asia Pacific area at the expense of the United States. We have agreements with the Republic of China (Taiwan), which guarantee our involvement should the Chinese invade, a policy they explicitly embrace. China is North Korea's major benefactor, a country with which we are technically still at war. China is also challenging Japan, a staunch American ally, over oil in the Senkaku Islands.

Should a shooting war start, (not too far fetched a prospect), US citizens educated in the Chinese language would be of great value to our military and intelligence services. Our children would be in an enviable position to serve their country, and perhaps remain a little safer.

Let's say "Ni Hao" to the future, and bid adieu to the past.

Please send letters to our educators supporting this proposal. Names, titles and address are below. You can also take a World Language and Math Survey supporting Mandarin Chinese under the high school website. Thank you for your support.

Names, titles and address: Mr. Kenneth J. Monaghan, president, Board of Education; Dr. Robert Feirsen, superintendent of schools; Dr. Teresa Prendergast, superintendent for curriculum/instruction; Peter Giacalone, district World Language coordinator: Garden City Public Schools, 55 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530.

Thomas P. Brosnan