AUGUSTA -- Eight native Chinese teachers and a native Spanish teacher will visit the capitol today to learn about the state where they will teach this school year.

At 10 a.m., they meet with Gov. John Baldacci in his office. Then at 2 p.m., the guests will join Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron for tea at the Blaine House.

The Chinese Guest Teacher Program and the Visiting Teachers from Spain Program are new initiatives for Maine, and are intended to bring teachers from those countries to the state's elementary and secondary schools. The teachers will share their language and culture with students to help expand world language programs in our state.

The visiting Chinese teachers will be placed at the following schools this year:
Falmouth Schools; Foxcroft Academy; John Bapst Memorial High School; Maine School Administrative District #4 (Guilford); Mt. Ararat High School; Mt. Blue High School (Farmington); Washington Academy (East Machias); and Yarmouth High School.

The visiting Spanish teacher will be placed at Richmond High School.