Hundreds of school pupils in England are on track towards fluency in Mandarin Chinese as part of a national language learning initiative which starts its second year this term.
Progress test results from pupils on the Department for Education’s Mandarin Excellence Programme indicate that the first cohort of almost 400 pupils from 14 schools across England are excelling when it comes to learning Mandarin Chinese - the most spoken language in the world.
Delivered by the UCL Institute of Education in partnership with the British Council, pupils on the programme spend an average of eight hours per week studying the language. This includes four hours in the classroom which is a significant increase on the time usually spent on a language in school with the results showing that the Year 7 pupils’ skills are developing at pace.
The majority of those on the programme achieved marks of 80% or higher across specially-created tests in reading, writing, listening and speaking. This not only indicates the quick progress the pupils are making but as skills that aren’t usually tested amongst this age-group, it highlights the uniqueness and rigour of the programme as a whole.
And with an additional 23 schools throughout England starting the Mandarin Excellence Programme this term, hundreds more pupils will soon be reaping the rewards of the innovative approach to language learning which gives students an unprecedented opportunity to gain advanced skills at an early stage.
Ultimately, the programme will see at least 5,000 pupils in England on track towards fluency in Mandarin Chinese by 2020.
School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: “Mandarin Chinese is an important language to learn in our globally competitive economy. I am pleased that this programme is continuing to grow, allowing more pupils to be taught Mandarin at an advanced level. I would like to congratulate the first cohort of students on their success. They have achieved some excellent results thanks to their hard work and dedication. This will give them a significant advantage when competing in the global jobs market, and is particularly important as we prepare to leave the European Union.”
In addition to improving students’ fluency in the language, the UCL Institute of Education,in collaboration with other providers, aims to have trained at least 100 new qualified Chinese teachers by the end of the programme.
The Confucius Institute, based at the UCL Institute of Education already has a network of 45 Confucius Classrooms across England and supports schools in starting and developing the teaching and learning of Mandarin Chinese and the study of China across other areas of the curriculum.
Katharine Carruthers, Director of the UCL Institute Of Education (IOE) Confucius Institute said:“The progress that learners have made after their first year participating in the Mandarin Excellence Programme is exceptional. The test results from the end of year one of the programme demonstrate the success and the impact that it is having. This year we are delighted to welcome additional schools joining the programme which will ensure that more than 1,000 new learners across the country are given the opportunity to learn Chinese to such an advanced level."
Mark Herbert, Head of Schools Programmes at the British Council said: “Mandarin Chinese is one of the languages that matters most to the UK’s prosperity – and its importance is only likely to increase as the UK repositions itself on the world stage.
“If the UK is to remain globally competitive, we need far more young people leaving school with a good grasp of Mandarin in order to successfully work abroad or for businesses here in the UK. More than that, learning Mandarin is a fascinating process which creates a connection to the amazing Chinese culture and over a billion Chinese speakers globally.”
State schools in England can apply to join the Mandarin Excellence Programme from 2018 with funding available to support successful delivery. As part of the programme, some pupils will have the chance to go to China from summer 2018.
More information about the programme and how to get involved can be found here: http://ci.ioe.ac.uk/mandarin-excellence-programme/
MANDARIN EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME STUDENT QUOTES
Carla Turbides, aged 12, Anglo European School: “The best thing about the Mandarin Excellence Programme is learning about another language and culture, and doing it together with your friends. It’s a great programme that offers amazing opportunities for the future.”
Aman Tumber, aged 12, Dartford Grammar School: “I decided to join the Mandarin Excellence Programme as I knew that it would increase my Chinese knowledge. I also think that when I’m an adult, Chinese will be very useful if I want to work in China due to its industries so that’s why I wanted to learn it to a high level.”
Full case studies of pupils on the programme and images are available on request.
The first 14 schools on the programme were:
· Alexandra Park School, London
· Anglo European School, Ingatestone
· Beths Grammar School, Bexley
· Bohunt School, Liphook
· Dartford Grammar School, Dartford
· Finham Park School, Coventry
· Fortismere School, London
· Gumley House Convent School, Isleworth
· Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre, Tenterden
· Kingsford Community School, London
· Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall
· St Joseph's College, London
· St Mary Magdalene Academy, London
· Upton Hall School, FCJ, Upton, Wirral
The 23 new schools on the programme are:
· All Hallows Catholic College, Macclesfield
· Bay House School, Gosport
· Bohunt Worthing, Worthing
· Christ’s College Finchley, London
· Christopher Whitehead Language College & Sixth Form, Worcester
· Cowley International College, Saint Helens
· Didcot Girls' School, Didcot
· Evelyn Grace Academy, London
· Finham Park 2, Coventry
· Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre, Reading
· Hove Park, Hove
· Ingleby Manor Free School & Sixth Form, Stockton - on- Tees
· Lambeth Academy, London
· Lyng Hall, Coventry
· Mayfield Grammar School, Kent
· Melbourn Village College, Hertfordshire
· Queen Mary’s High School, Walsall
· Shevington High School, Wigan
· St Catherine’s College, Eastbourne
· St Gregory's, Bath, Bath
· The Crossley Heath School, Halifax
· Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, Wilmington
· UCL Academy, London
For more information, contact Kristen McNicoll in the British Council Press Office on 020 7389 4967 / 07765 898 738 / Out-of-hours 07469 375160 or kristen.mcnicoll@britishcouncil.org
Department for Education Enquiries
Central newsdesk 020 7783 8300
General enquiries 0370 000 2288
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