We face uncertain times. Although one thing is certain. Today's children need to be tomorrow's global citizens. You cannot be a global citizen and be monolingual. You need to speak at least two global languages. Global languages include English, Spanish and Chinese. Being such a different language Chinese is best learnt young when the brain has yet to become used to a language working in a certain way.

China's latest ascendancy is so young yet already so substantial. Only a couple of years ago the West saw China solely as a manufacturing house, yet already China is moving into innovation. Global giants such as Intel, Google and AstraZeneca are investing in the mainland. Chinese players such as Lenovo and Huawei are matching them.The Chinese no longer copy - they create their own designs.

China's cooperation is required to solve many global issues. To successfully trade and liaise with China requires an understanding of the Chinese. Such understanding requires learning their language, Mandarin Chinese, as their culture and language are so entwined.

Western firms and Universities are already favouring bi-lingual and bi-cultural candidates.