Mandarin
Subject Leader: Emma Klimowicz
Intent
Our language curriculum aims to provide opportunities for all Little Bowden pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture. We believe this is an excellent way of providing global links with a culture and language that is rich, varied, and steeped in a long and interesting history. It is our intention that our children access a high-quality language education that will foster the children’s curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. Language teaching will provide our children with the foundation for learning further languages and this will equip our children to study and work in other countries.
Implementation
Our language programme covers EYFS, KS1 and 2, in order that everyone can learn Mandarin. In Foundation the children have 20-minute lessons which are based around a series of stories, songs, and games. By KS1 the language focused lessons are increased to 30 minutes and are interspersed with cultural activities such as crafts and calligraphy. By Year 5 the children the lesson time is increased to 40 minutes and an hour in Year 6 (2 x 30 minutes), so that they are prepared for the forthcoming YCT exams. They are taught by a bi-lingual teacher accompanied by 2 Confucius Institute students direct from China. In addition to learning the language, the children learn about Chinese history and annual celebrations such as the Moon festival and the Chinese New Year. The pupils are encouraged to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing.
Impact
The impact of our language curriculum will ensure that pupils develop key language learning skills, as set out in the National Curriculum, as well as a love of languages and learning about other cultures. They also learn how these skills can help them communicate in another country or to a Mandarin speaker. The children will increasingly record their learning in spoken and written form and there will be an opportunity for children to sit the YCT exams (Youth China Test) during the summer term in Yr. 5 and 6 should they choose to do so.
