First, I want to learn how to speak Mandarin Chinese. Right now, more than a quarter of the world’s population speaks Chinese. This includes the 690 million people in China, as well as the millions in Taiwan, Singapore, and Southeast Asia – in addition to those in America and Europe that also speak Chinese. Since we will certainly need more interpreters, I want to begin learning Mandarin now. This year, I plan either to take a class or to buy a program so I can learn and practice at home. Next year, I will hire a private tutor. I hope to be able to carry on a simple conversation in Mandarin within two years.