KS3 Languages - Mandarin

Mandarin is offered to students in the Junior school as a beginners course leading eventually to an IGCSE qualification in the subject in Year 11. The approach is a communicative and functional one with an underlying grammatical progression, and vocabulary and structures are introduced in a variety of practical situations which contextualise the language being learned. The topics include greetings, family, countries and languages, occupations, transportation, clothes, weather, daily routines, school subjects and exams, school facilities, body and sickness, money and food, daily necessities, shopping, home and community facilities.

Students learn to read and write Chinese characters and to understand and speak modern standard Chinese (Mandarin). Equal emphasis is placed on the four basic language skills. Communication in class is carried out in Mandarin and much of the oral work is done in groups or pairs. Tapes, songs, games and IT software are used regularly to reinforce and supplement vocabulary and structures being learned in class and to provide interest and enjoyment for the students.

In addition to the language element of the course students learn a great deal about Chinese history and culture, customs and traditions throughout their three years. It is expected that students who choose to study Mandarin will work hard to meet the challenges of this difficult but rewarding and relevant language.

By the time the students reach the end of Year 9 they will have a good general knowledge of China, its people and language. This will provide a solid foundation for future studies in Mandarin