Mandarin

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Mandarin

The Queen’s School was the first independent school in the north of England to be officially recognised for its excellent work in promoting the study of Mandarin.

We were awarded this coveted accolade of being designated a Confucius Classroom by the Office of Chinese Language Council International. Confucius Classrooms, named in honour of the celebrated Chinese thinker and philosopher, promote and support the learning of Mandarin across the globe.

Girls at Queen’s study Mandarin as part of the curriculum. We also offer children from local primary schools the opportunity to learn the world’s most widely-spoken language with a weekly after school club, where they learn basic conversational Mandarin.

The school has benefitted greatly in recent years from having the support of a CLEC teacher. As experts, not only in language and culture, but traditional crafts such as origami, knot-making, wushu, abacus and fan dancing, they have enabled us to promote Chinese language and culture within our own school and the local community.

 

Mandarin Chinese

Mandarin is the best language to learn for your job according to CEOs because it:

  • Makes you stand out
  • Makes you a better communicator and thus a better manager and leader
  • Helps you impress more clients
  • Boost your career trajectory

In today’s world, you need every edge you can get – and according to the decades of experience of senior executives who have what it takes to get to the top, knowing the best language to learn for business is one of them.

 

Key stage 3

Year 7 – all pupils will have a wonderful opportunity to learn the basic of Mandarin. We cover the following topics.

  • Numbers, dates
  • Greetings and self-introduction
  • Family members and pets
  • Hobbies

Apart from language learning throughout the year, we also study a cultural project – ‘The first emperor of China and his legacy: the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Army’.

At the end of Year 7, pupils choose if they wish to carry on with the subject for two more years into Year 8 and Year 9.

 

Years 8 and 9

For those who choose Mandarin study, we continue our language journey, and will study the following topics:

  • School and education
  • Chinese food culture
  • Our environment
  • Your own space and personalities
  • Your surroundings and communities
  • The funs and ways of Shopping
  • Travelling around China

At the end of Year 9, pupils will have covered most of the GCSE topics at basic levels which lay a solid foundation for GCSE study should they wish to continue. In Year 9, we will also delve into the history of Chinese language, starting with the oracle bones!

 

Key stage 4 – IGCSE Chinese

Cambridge International GCSE is an internationally recognised and accepted qualification. The course develops a set of transferable skills for understanding and communicating in everyday situations in Chinese. Pupils will begin to develop cultural awareness of countries and communities where Chinese is spoken. They will acquire the essential linguistic skills required for progression to further studies or employment.
Girls will cover the following areas of study:

  • Everyday activities
  • Personal and social life
  • The world around us
  • The world of work
  • The international world

Pupils will be examined on all 4 skills which includes:

  • Listening 25%, approx. 40 minutes, externally assessed.
  • Speaking 25%, approx. 10 minutes, internally assessed, externally moderated.
  • Reading 25%, 1 hour and 15 minutes, externally assessed.
  • Writing 25%, 1 hour and 15 minutes, externally assessed.

In addition to having timetabled lessons, pupils also have separate weekly speaking practice with our language assistant.

 

Key Stage 5 – A-level Mandarin Chinese

Peason Edexcel Chinese will inspire students who have an appreciation of the language, literature, film and culture of the Chinese-speaking world.

Over the two-year course, students study four language themes and the speaking, listening and reading exams will be based on these themes:

  • The changes in modern Chinese people
  • Chinese culture
  • The changing society in China
  • The effect of China reform since 1978

Students also study two literature works; the writing exam is mainly based on these works:

  • A Very Special Pigeon by Cao Wen Xuan
  • Hometown by Lu Xun

Girls will be examined on all four skills:

Paper 1 – 2 hours, externally assessed
Listening, 20%
Reading and translation from Chinese to English, 20%

Paper 2 – 2 hours and 30 minutes, externally assessed, 30%
Translation from English to Chinese
2 essay writing in Mandarin characters.

Paper 3 – Speaking, 16-18 minutes, 30%,
Conducted and recorded internally
Externally assessed.

In addition to timetabled lessons, students also have speaking sessions during some of their free periods. This ensures they are sufficiently prepared for the speaking exam.

The A-level Chinese course equips students with a sound understanding of modern Chinese society and this will open many doors for you in your future career.

Mandarin GCSE past papers & Inspiration