[*frutti]

I quit chinese school around March of this year, because I was too busy with homework, volunteering, etc. I've taken it for 9 years, and I'm going to be a sophomore. I can still rejoin this upcoming school year, but I'm not sure if I should. I've heard that speaking Mandarin can be useful for many companies, so would it look a lot better on my college application if I put that I've graduated from Chinese school (if I do sign-up for chinese school again)? Is it worth sacrificing Saturday afternoons that can be used for volunteer hours? If I do take Chinese school, I only have Sunday afternoons availiable for volunteering, and I'm in Key Club, so a lot of volunteering might not be on Sunday afternoons. Btw, I've also taken Spanish up to 5-6, so it's enough foreign language credits for UC schools, which is what I'm aiming for.

edit.
Thanks for the advice, people! But just to let you know, I'm already fluent at mandarin. Chinese school wouldn't help much, because I always end up forgetting all the words I learn over the summer anyways. I just want to prove to colleges that I'm fluent at mandarin by putting that I've graduated from Chinese school on my future application. I also get a scholarship/award if I finish Chinese school. Is there any other way to prove that I'm fluent then?

[reallyAmused]

I quit Chinese School my senior year(after 10 years). I got my volunteer hours done over the summer when I didn't have Chinese School (or regular school for that matter). I had joined Key Club but since Chinese School took up my Saturdays I quit and joined other clubs.

I regret quitting because now I'm starting to forget my Mandarin and my sister, who didn't quit, is soooooo good at it. And I miss those Saturdays I spent with my Chinese School buddies (who were with me for 10 years ), now we're sorta drifting apart.

But that being said I would continue with it if you want to learn the language for more than just school credit. Otherwise, don't force yourself, it's not worth it.

P.S. I've decided to continue with my Mandarin at college

[heartdrops]

I have to say Chinese school is really worth it lol. But I quit after 8 year. Well, I actually graduated from that level but I could've continued on but I didn't.
I'm like you too. I was thinking of rejoining Chinese school for the credit, but just decided not to. Do you have Chinese as a class at your school? Because I do and that's what I'm taking right now.

[Avex]

After thinking about the whole "EC" deal, I think what matters is doing what you have a passion for. While I understand that you want to go to a UC, I don't believe you should just put in stuff JUST so you have a better chance of entering. If you don't have time, be realistic with your schedule. If you really want to learn Mandarin immediately, go ahead.

If you enjoy volunteering more, go ahead and do it. You can always take Mandarin in high school (thats if you have it), take it at a community college in the summer, or learn it when you get to college.
To be honest, I only learned one year of mandarin (mostly focused on pinyin) at a chinese school, but I didn't learn that much in a pinyin class. Another teacher who taught Conversational Mandarin at the same school (and the same time), taught me much more and my Mandarin is much better. My brother, who was in the same class, learned much more Mandarin from television than Chinese school, plus I learned more Mandarin from him! Even though we don't know that many characters, we can always slowly pick up our Mandarin as we get more exposed to the environment. Believe me, now that I'm away from Chinese school, I've picked up a sufficent amount. I'm not in a conversational level, but it's pretty good. We both learned the majority of our Mandarin pretty much outside Chinese school though (We're Cantonese).

So, do what you feel is necessary.

[kirstylee]

I heard Mandarin is much more use and more people are learning that. At chinese school were probably usually learning traditional but simplified is becoming more important. I haven't quitted Chinese School and I've got another year then I'll graduate. I think you should carry on Chinese School since you've done it so long why not finish it and get graduated.

[polaress]

I used to go to chinese school when I was a lot younger and I regret not finishing it. It's hard to relearn it again now...sigh

[roguechinadoll]

I quit when I was in elementary school. I seriously regret it now because I can barely speak, read or write Mandarin.
You should continue with it if you can. Colleges like to see commitment to one thing rather than jumping around from different projects.
Besides, China is becoming a larger and larger world and business power.
Don't quit unless you're already 100% fluent. It's a definite benefit.

[trashstar]

i quit because my teacher wasn't teaching us anything useful so now i'm learning it by myself or with my parents' help. so never give up learning it even if you decide to quit ^^

[keyclubfreeeek]

OMG KEY CLUB!!!! (: <34

personally, id MUCH rather
do key club over anything
so yea...but mehh

KEY CLUB!!! <34

[MUGETSU]

I'm not Chinese but I'd advise you to start taking it again.

Chinese is the most spoken language in the world.

The Chinese industry and businesses are booming and US businesses will probably be doing a lot of work with them in the future. So knowing how to speak it will be an asset on your resume.

After getting into college most people give up on volunteering stuff anyway (sad to say), but they'd rather get paid for their time.

[sweetiegrl168]

you really shouldnt quit. i mean just think of all that time u spent in school wasted. i was going to quit this year too after 10 yrs of it but i decided to just deal with it and graduate after 2 more years. even if you dont learn anything, it still looks GREAT on ur college application that you took like 12 yrs of a language. if you just learn from your parents, you dont have a shiny diploma or anything to prove it

[oppas4all]

If you want to prove you are fluent: 1. SAT II Chinese 2.AP Chinese 3.HSK
I've personally taken all three so if you have any questions...

[skittles*]

My advice is, don't quit. I truly regret quitting korean school because it would've been so beneficial to me. I could've taken the SAT Subject Test in Korean without a problem if I just had continued. Also, it's good just to know your own language, ya know? If you're going to be a sophmore, you don't have to worry that much about community service. Doesn't Chinese School end around lunch time? At least that's what time the Chinese school around where I live ends. That leaves you plenty of time for community service (though you might be a bit pooped).