How does Mandarin Chinese link to the new Primary Area of Learning Understanding English communication and languages?

Learning Mandarin Chinese fits into 'Breadth of Learning' point 4.

d. By engaging with other languages (i), including, where appropriate, those used in their communities, children should:

1.look at the patterns, structures and origins of languages (i) in order to understand how language works

Mandarin Chinese is so very different from English, French, German and Spanish because of its origins and so lends itself to this outcome of understanding how language works. Ask us more to understand how to achieve this understanding of both English and Chinese when teaching Chinese.

2.listen to and join in with conversation in other languages and communicate about simple, everyday matters

Learning to speak Chinese especially working with a partner school in China fulfils this goal in a way that children engage so easily with. How can children start having conversations through understanding differences between the way the two languages work

3.understand how learning other languages can help them appreciate and understand other cultures as well as their own.

The potential for cultural work that spans the curriculum and which can be led by a non-native class teacher is huge. This is not 'educational tourism' but serious engagement with modern and ancient China. It is a very powerful way of making Mandarin Chinese belong to the whole school

Politicians Ed Balls and David Laws debate introduction of compulsory language lessons for 7-11 (KS2)....

Ministers have already announced the introduction of compulsory language lessons for seven- to 11-year-olds in 2011 to stimulate interest in the subject from a young age.

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "Introducing compulsory languages teaching in primary schools will instil a love of language learning in young children and help to encourage them to continue studying it as they move up through school and beyond.

In line with Bamboo's development of a Scheme of Work in Mandarin Chinese for KS2..

Ed Balls will announce that pupils aged seven onwards will be able to learn languages including Mandarin and Arabic to meet the challenges of a globalised world. Officials cited CBI surveys showing that 52% of employers looking for language skills now want people with French, 43% with German and 38% with Mandarin/Cantonese. They said Labour was keen to prepare the next generation of workers for the new global economy.

Balls said yesterday: "In this new decade, our ties with emerging economies like China will become even more important and it's vital that young people are equipped with the skills they need. That's why we want all secondary pupils to have the opportunity to learn Mandarin if they choose, either at their own school or a nearby school or college."

The family tree of Confucius is revealed to celebrate the continuation of Chinese history into moderm times.

The revival of China's love-affair with the ideas of Confucius has taken another significant step forward after 1,000 members of China's most powerful aristocratic clan unveiled the first complete edition of their family tree for more than 70 years.

James Hung, grandson of the clan elder studies Mandarin and Confucius analects with Bamboo teachers Xian hua Long and Wang Fei.

Heartlands High school and nearby primary schools Chinese workshops are a great idea

Workshops for children learning Mandarin Chinese can be highly innovative. Taking children out of the classroom to a local Chinese restaurant to learn about fresh ingredients, what makes a balanced Chinese diet and to get some hand-on experience works.

Dorian Chan lead the initiative and is looking to go national with the concept.

The programme of the SSAT Chinese Conference 3rd 4th July 2009

Join teachers and school leaders for the Chinese education event of the year. This two day conference is held at the British Museum (day 1) and Lambeth Academy, London (day 2), and includes keynote speeches, interactive sessions and hands-on workshops delivered by experienced Chinese teaching practitioners, practical sessions aimed at schools new to China, and an exhibition of educational resources.

The point is, whether we like it or not, China is incredibly important to the future of mankind.

I think you'll find that in 10 years, a lot of children will learn Mandarin in school.

It's a very difference place China - the sun rises on a different day, and the culture is extremely old. In a way we're very unaware of it in the West, even though we're very aware of it.

We felt connected to it (ed China), and how it revealed itself to me was sort of up in the mountains; the semi-automonous regions to the south where the Dong and the Mao people live; in teh traffic, in teh gree tea, in the extraordinary landscapes, the foold, the insane neon, the industry - the crazy crazy industry.

... the pentatonic scale, and that in a way is why it (Journey to the West) works....

29 January 2009 Pitchfork - interview by Scott Plagenhoef

Hanban & American teachers learn from each other to create a sustainable supply of Chinese teachers for children

The shortage of teachers for children learning Mandarin Chinese is an issue. Hanban supplies teachers on exchange programmes but long term Chinese teachers living in the West need to be trained in Western pedagogy.

In Oak Creek, Wisconsin, local teachers are learning to take over from Hanban teachers having completed teacher training locally.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/35265114.html

At eight minutes past eight on the eight of August the opening ceremony started.

As a contributor to the BBC website said - We hope the Games will show our guests China today, not China 30 years ago.

Businesses invest in China at high end of value chain..

GlaxoSmithKline intends to double its R&D staff in China to 350 people in the next few years, reported Reuters.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) which currently has 170 R&D staff in China has plans to boost up its staff to 350 by the end of 2009. According to Carol Zhu, head of operation management and alliances in GSK's China R&D unit, the staff levels would remain static for three or four years after the increase, while the company will expand its facilities to accommodate further increases thereafter.

As part of its strategic plan to step up investment in biotech medicines, GSK has focused on China for furthering its R&D activities.