The International Leadership of Texas charter school is preparing their students to become global leaders by requiring Mandarin Chinese courses.

Kindergarten students through 12th graders are in class for 45 minutes each day learning how to speak Mandarin, which has become the most-spoken language around the world. Globally, one in six people speak Mandarin.

“We want our students to become global leaders,” said Irene Aguilar, the principal for the k-8 Garland campus.

“The curriculum supports the government’s foreign language initiative. This year we are hosting 94 international teachers from China and Spain throughout all of our campuses in Garland, Keller, and Arlington,” Aguilar said.

“They learn about the language and the culture. We are giving them a broader perspective,” said Principal Aguilar.

The charter school plans to open 13 campuses by the end of the year, two of which will be in Houston.

Admission is free, but there is a waitlist, as well as a lottery.