Mandarin lessons are putting China in students' hands
CHILDREN at a leading state school have been learning Chinese using a revolutionary technique where they study a third of all subjects in the language.
After just seven weeks the pupils aged 12 to 15 are already performing “significantly” better than their peers. After one year, research shows, they will be two years ahead of pupils learning in English.
The pupils at Bohunt School in Liphook, Hampshire, are being taught by the “immersion” technique by a native Chinese speaker, learning subjects including science, IT, drama and PE in Mandarin.
Headteacher Neil Strowger has just returned from China where he has arranged an exchange programme with schools in the Shanghai district. “The exchanges will start in October next year in multiple cities and there will be family involvement as well, so that the pupils truly experience the Chinese culture,” said Mr Strowger.
“We will also set up a teacher exchange where English teachers will get the chance to go to China to train. We have had an immersion programme in French running for three years and the students gained immensely from the experience.”
On a recent visit to China, Chancellor George Osborne and London mayor Boris Johnson urged more schools in Britain to teach the language.
Mr Strowger said: “They need to understand how Chinese business works so they can successfully take up the opportunities that are opening up in China, as one of the world’s biggest growth economies.”
Pupil Alicia Sear, 11, said: “We really enjoy learning Mandarin. It is difficult but I am very glad that I was picked.”
Teacher Qinwei Li, from Chengdu City, works at Bohunt School. “The children are learning about Chinese culture and are picking up the language very well indeed,” she said.