RIMERSBURG — The Rimersburg Elementary School, which is nearing the end of its trial year of a Chinese/Arabic Language Enrichment class, has plans to expand it to other grades.

Twenty-three pupils in grades four to six are participating in a Web-based classroom with a semester of Chinese followed by a semester of Arabic.

On alternating days, the pupils log on to an Internet classroom for live instruction. The pupils are equipped with headsets to hear and speak to the instructor. The instructor also is visible to each student on a Web-cam, so the pupils can see word annunciation and hand movements.

The pupils learned about the Modern Standard Mandarin Chinese Language, Pinyin system, character writing and Chinese culture. Now, they are almost halfway through their first experience with the Arabic language and writing.

A professor instructs the group and assigns outside class work. The teacher in the classroom collects work and submits it to the professor. The class is not graded.

The district said it plans to expand the program next school year to seventh-grade students and allow them to take a second level of the class. The incoming fourth-grade pupils will be instructed on the first level, while the fifth- and sixth-grade pupils will learn the second level.

The following year, 2009-2010, the district will offer Chinese or Arabic to freshmen.

This was a pilot program for the 2006-07 school year. The program is affiliated with Seton Hill University and the Center for Advancing Partnerships for Educators.

Pupils were chosen to participate based on IQ scores, state test scores, grades and class rank.

The class is paid through a portion of Accountability Block Grant for World Languages Programs in the Elementary Grades.