Centralight

Chinese 102 Instructor Lily Kalantar, answers questions that students Andrew Hoofman, left, and Ande Hubbard, right, have about the language. Starting in the fall, Hoofman will study Chinese for a second year. Grant leads to second-year Chinese language course Translating BY SARAH CHUBY, '03 M.A. '11 With an English-to-Chinese dictionary in hand, CMU senior Andrew Hoofman flipped through the pages while working with a client on an overseas business deal. His six-week International Business internship was in Shanghai, China – where some residents are bilingual. But in the smaller outlying areas, Hoofman had to rely on a translator or his dictionary. "I knew basic words and phrases, but I couldn't communicate as effectively as I would have liked," says Hoofman, who went to China as an automotive parts business representative. "I want to focus less on trying to find the right words and more on the client. To do that, I need to know Chinese." Because of a State of Michigan grant CMU received, Hoofman will get an opportunity at CMU to improve his competency in the language. 14 14 centralight summer '11 success CMU previously offered only two semester courses in Chinese (Mandarin), which Hoofman – who is earning a double major in international business and entrepreneurship – has already taken. Hoofman will take the next level class beginning in the fall. Included in the Integrating International Business and Sustainable Development Grant, written by International Business Professor Van Miller, is seed money for the 200-level foreign language course. After one year, Miller says he hopes the university will continue to fund the class because of its prospective benefit to CMU students. Miller, who teaches international business courses, says that China is on track to economically dominate the world. "We are in a global economy – one where China is in a powerful position," Miller says. In 2010, China took the world's lead in manufacturing output. Previously, the U.S. had the No. 1 spot. International Business Professor Michael J. Pisani, who teaches international business courses, says this course gives students the opportunity to open more doors for themselves. "To be successful with business clients – or in any relationship – you need to navigate culture. Competency in the language is a step in the navigation process. I am glad that CMU students have that opportunity." •

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