state secondary school teaching foreign language like chinese

[Jac915]

Hi

Is there any website where I can find information about list of schools that teaches a second language?

Thank you!
Jac

Maybe this?
ci.ioe.ac.uk/mandarin-excellence-programme/mep-schools/

Are you looking for a state or independent school? Generally, you’ll find it’ll be just very basic Chinese for beginners. If you’re looking for a school catering for native speakers of the language then you’ll probably be limited to independent schools with a large Chinese population.

However, in London you’ll often get Saturday schools which are designed for bilingual learners. They tend to be 3-4h long and focus not only on the language but a bit of culture and history etc.

Thank you both.

I am looking for a state school.

My nephews did go to Saturday school but they hated it. I am thinking if it will be better if my kids can learn it in secondary school with their friends, or should just give it up.

I think the list I linked to is state schools. If you look at the school's websites it says how they teach Chinese, the school I know which is on that list it teaches Chinese to GCSE from zero knowledge at secondary. I think Anglo European school also caters for those with more knowledge. I think its worth a try, I think learning at school would be nicer than Saturday school on top. If your children don't know the basics it maybe worth doing that first as it's quite challenging to start learning and will give them a headstart.

Some state schools also only teach niche subjects and languages as a twilight course. DD’s grammar for example does GCSE Chinese, Latin, Japanese but only as paid for lunchtime and after school classes. The school isn’t on that list on the link up thread. Twilight is a way to add to the curriculum without incurring the full cost to the school budget. I am not aware of an easy way to find out other than to check the websites of the schools near you that you are interested in.

That’s a tricky one then.

GCSE level of community languages is very low for a native speaker. It’s basically the same as French or Spanish GCSE so about being able to string several sentences together about your family or hobbies etc.

You’d probably need to see if any schools offer lessons to a much higher standard but I’m not sure how that would work with funding since it isn’t a part of the curriculum.

This is Anglo European's website:

www.aesessex.co.uk/international-dimension/

Of the schools I know who teach it, one is on the list, one is not (possibly because it is taught as an after school twilight; free lessons led by a native speaker but optional)

Neither would be suitable for a native speaker aiming for 'fluency'.

My school isn’t on the link above and we offer Mandarin to GCSE ( though as an extra, not an option)
Agree with pp that you will probably have to search the websites of schools close to you to find out.

It’s a Super Selective (so you’d have to overcome the hurdle of a strong 11+ hurdle first of all!) but Tonbridge Girls Grammar offers Mandarin Chinese amongst other MLs. Most State’s it’s French & Spanish or French & German though!

My school isn’t on the above list but offers Mandarin as a twilight. You need to look at individual school websites.

Mandarin excellence programme is just one scheme that schools can pay to join and be accredited by (therefore are they going to get a poor accreditation) if they teach Mandarin. Among other things they network and facilitate trips to China, not that there will be much of that in the near future. However, it is no guarantee of good teaching and results. I know through friends that the school on the list near me has not provided brilliant teaching, teaching to meet the GCSE content required extra intervention from the school when the department was failing, and in a large 6th form only 3 students continued their studies post 16.

Bohunt trust is known for inc. Mandarin in curriculm not.all schools and not sure on quality but I understand was taught via immersion.

My daughter's school does the Mandarin Excellence Programme. It is supposed to be 8 hours a week of mandarin (pre-lockdown) - 4 hours school work and 4 hours homework. They are supposed to learn about Chinese culture etc as well as the language.

As a Mandarin speaker, I have to say I am quite impressed with the programme. First year was a little slow but they really stepped up the second year.

As OrangeCinnamon says above - Bohunt School in Hampshire (think the Trust now has 3 schools) is very strong on languages and teaches Mandarin by immersion.