Private schools in the US are trying hard to develop Chinese language courses and have traveled across the world to China for help from primary and middle school officials.

"We want to have partnerships with Chinese schools to get our Chinese language programs started so that we could attract more students," said Lucinda Giorgis, principal of Haha'ione Elementary School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

She told the Global Times Monday at a seminar in Beijing that was organized by the Office of Chinese Language Council International, or Hanban, that Chinese language courses are more popular now in the US.

More than 400 principals from public schools of the US attended the seminar to share ideas about running Chinese language learning programs at their schools.

Brendan Burns, principal of Aina Haina Elementary School also in Honolulu, recently talked with the principal of Nanping Experimental Elementary School in Chongqing to discuss a potential partnership.

Though many private middle schools in their area offer Putonghua courses, no private elementary school offers such courses. He said schools offering them are popular with parents who believe that Chinese-speaking students will have more chances.

Roger Harris, the superintendent at Boston Renaissance Charter Public School, said some students could not afford private schools so it is necessary to develop such courses.

Harris, 63, launched a kindergarten-level Chinese language program last October, the first one of its kind in Boston.

"Most of our children are from poorer families who cannot afford good private schools which offer Chinese courses," Harris said.

Jeff Wang of the Asia Society in New York City which offers help with education programs, said private schools can build their curriculum based on their specific needs while public schools need to get approval from city officials.

Carol Ray, principal of a middle school in North Carolina, said learning Chinese is being seen as an important part of education.