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chinese

The aim of the Chinese Department is to make Chinese language learning enjoyable and more acessible to more students at CLSG, inspire students to take a keen longer-term interest in China when they leave CLSG and create a greater appreciation of China and its culture among the wider school community.

WHY IS CHINESE EXCITING AT CLSG?

Now the world's second biggest economy, China has become a leading international player on the world stage. Mandarin is the official language in China, a country with a population of around 1.3 billion. But Chinese is spoken and understood by millions more in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Chinese communities overseas.

Learning Chinese gives students an insight into a vastly different language, thinking and culture. For many students, it provides an opportunity to stretch themselves linguistically in a completely new way. Learning Chinese combines intellectual rigour and discipline with a strong artistic appreciation of the written script and requires keen listening skills to distinguish and replicate the differently pitched tones in spoken Chinese. Students get a real sense of achievement when they are able to read and write characters and communicate in Chinese.

COURSE CONTENT

YEARS 7 -  9

Students can choose to study Chinese as one of their two language choices in Year 7 to 9. Students begin to read and write Chinese characters from the outset and have access to on-line language learning tools to supplement classroom teaching activities in school. As well as developing Chinese language skills, students in all year groups also learn about China more widely through a variety of media, group work and presentations.

YEARS 10 and 11

Students can chose to continue with the language to GCSE level. The course continues to focus on all four skills areas (reading, writing, speaking and listening) covering the GCSE topics and themes such as Media and Culture, Sport and Leisure, Travel and Tourism, Business, Work and Employment.

EXAM BOARDS

GCSE - Edexcel. Speaking and writing assessments acount for 60% of the total mark and are carried out through controlled assessment. Listening and reading account for 40%. Themes for speaking and writing are: Media and Culture, Sport and Leisure, Travel and Tourism, Business, Work and Employment. Areas for listening and reading include: Out and about, Customer Service and Transactions, Personal Information, Future Plans, and Education and Work.

RECENT TRIPS/LEARNING ACTIVITIES

• British Consul-General to Shanghai spoke to Year 10 students about combing Chinese with careers
• Year 10 students participated in a "Student Conference on China" at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London where experts presented papers on contemporary China
• Calligraphy and Chinese brush painting workshops for Year 8 and 9 students

Head of Department

Ms V Zhang