Being multi-lingual is increasingly important in our global economy. That's why dozens of Pioneer Valley parents are enrolling their children in the first Chinese Immersion Charter School in New England.

Second Grader Kalah Brown can hold a conversation with native Mandarin Chinese speakers like other children in the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School in Hadley. It is tuition free, and open to all students.

The school opened in 2007, but already 88 children are enrolled. Students learn Chinese in a one-way immersion model. In the younger grades, about 75% of their classes are taught in Mandarin Chinese. As they go up in grades, they are taught more in English. The school is slated to teach through 8th grade. Currently they have kindergarten through second grade but will add a grade each year.

Kalah Brown's parents enrolled her last year in first grade. They say they couldn't resist when they saw the opportunity to expand her language skills to far more than just an hour a day. "Learning this language in such an intense way opens the door for any and every opportunity for her," said Kalah's mother Nola-Rae Cronan.

As China has more and more of a significant presence in the world, parents say learning the language will give these kids an extra tool in their belt. "People say, well what is she going to do with Chinese? I say, if she wants to be a fashion designer, she can work in a market where she can negotiate with Chinese buyers. Any job she wants to go into it will help," said Cronan.

Students say it is fun to learn in both Chinese and English, but they admit there are parts of learning that are harder than others, like the tonal changes. "The hardest part is you need to pronounce it right, like some words have up down up, some just have down, some words just have up," explains second grader Simon Quinn.

Paula Quinn enrolled her son Simon in the school last year. "His fluency is so good he corrects my pronunciation," said Quinn.

While most kids are learning Spanish or French, these parents say learning Chinese is giving them a broader perspective of the world. "I think its hugely important for children to as soon as possible to get immersed in other cultures. They realize America isn't the only country in the world," said Quinn.

The school increases by 40 students a year as they add a grade.