Mandarin

Our Year 8 course is an exciting addition to our language options. Students develop a broad range of language skills, including reading and writing Chinese characters, as well as learning to recognise different tones, respond to both straightforward questions and develop their own opinions and provide justifications.

Toward the end of the year, all students studying Mandarin will have the linguistic competence to confidently communicate with Mandarin speakers on a range of topics – such as themselves, family, school, hobbies, food and drinks.

Throughout the year, students will also have opportunities to do research and fun activities about Chinese culture, as well as investigating Chinese characters. This research helps students to understand more about Chinese characters, how they develop over time and how they are constructed.

Students are also able to visit the British museum and Chinatown in London to enrich their understanding of Chinese history, traditional and contemporary culture.

In Year 9, we focus on developing the breadth and depth of students’ competence in four skills, based on a sound foundation of core grammar and vocabulary. Topics include holidays, daily routine and social life, shopping and careers. Students extend their vocabulary through reading and listening to authentic materials, such as GoChinese, The Chairman’s Bao and Quizlet. They also use various resources to create their own literate texts. Beyond the classroom, students have the opportunity to discover more about Chinese early writing, art, technology and historical stories through the guided tour in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. 

Moving into Year 10, students begin to prepare for AQA GCSE Chinese exams. At the end of the course in Year 11, students will be able to communicate confidently and coherently in speaking and writing, express and develop thoughts and ideas spontaneously and fluently and develop language learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare them for further language study in school, higher education or employment.

Conversation classes in small groups with a native speaker teacher are offered while studying for GCSE and beyond.

Whether a seasoned linguist or a beginner with an interest in learning a new language, our one-year Mandarin course provides opportunities for students to apply knowledge independently and creatively. Students develop their abilities to interact effectively with Mandarin speakers and engage critically with a variety of texts, literature and films. The course consists of both language and cultural elements, and students have the option to take ISEB Mandarin Assessment Level 1 assessments should they wish to turn their study option into a full qualification.

Learn more about studying Mandarin as a St Katharine’s Study option.

STUDY MANDARIN