Chinese whispers as kids learn Mandarin

FOR most primary school children, getting to grips with the "three Rs" is a big enough challenge. But schools across Notts are now pushing the boundaries by offering youngsters the chance to learn Mandarin Chinese. The language is becoming more and more popular in schools across the county, with teachers seeing it as a genuine alternative to traditional modern foreign languages. For pupils at Underwood C of E Primary School, there is real hope that their new-found language skills will come in handy in later years. Head teacher Gareth Letton said: "We've traditionally taught French from Year 1 but we've been dipping our toe in with Mandarin and it seems to be going really well."We want to encourage our children to be global citizens, especially with there being a lot of British business in China. We are also in a part of Notts which is pretty monocultural, so exploring the Chinese culture through the teaching of Mandarin is very important." Underwood C of E was inspired to start teaching Mandarin Chinese at the start of the 2010-2011 academic year after forming links with a Chinese primary school. Its connection with Jiangbin Primary School, near Shanghai, was set up as part of the school's involvement through Notts County Council with the British Council's Connecting Classrooms scheme. The initiative aims to build lasting partnerships between UK schools and others across the world. Rosetta Stone Outlet To support the link, every pupil in Years 1 to 6 at the school is being taught Mandarin Chinese in the current academic year. Youngsters are each having weekly lessons with a native Mandarin speaker for half a term, but the sessions are proving so successful that the school plans to expand the programme in 2011-2012. Mr Letton said: "The children are very positive about it and so are parents. It's another string to their child's bow. "We're looking to really push it in the next academic year." Chinese-themed activities are being held at the school this week. Pupils can watch traditional Chinese lion dancing and take part in art, music and drama workshops. Underwood C of E is one of nine schools in Notts which have links with Chinese schools under Connecting Classrooms. The other primary schools are Chetwynd Road Primary School, Toton; Cotgrave Candleby Lane School; Edwinstowe St Mary's C of E Primary; Brookside Primary School, East Leake; Flintham Primary School, Newark; Wynndale Primary School, Mansfield; Peafield Lane Primary School in Mansfield. And South Wolds Community School and Language College is the only county-run secondary school taking part in the scheme. Teachers from the nine schools visited China last year, while staff from the Chinese schools are due to come over to Notts in May and June. Councillor Philip Owen, Notts County Council's cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "Speaking another language is a useful and practical skill in today's global market, and as China is the world's fastest-growing major economy, young people with a knowledge of Mandarin will be well-placed to step into the economic arena of the future."

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