Modern Foreign Languages at Birchfield School

“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.”

Intent:
Mandarin Chinese has been selected as our modern foreign language at Birchfield Primary School. Being the most spoken language in the world, Mandarin will prepare our pupils for success in a global capacity and unlock our pupils’ potential in an increasingly connected world. Learning Mandarin will improve language, communication skills as well as transferable skills that can be applied to crosscurricular topics such as music and art. Learning Mandarin not only challenges pupils’ minds, it also teaches them understanding, encourages patience, and fosters open-mindedness towards learning.

Implementation:
Mandarin is taught by a specialist Mandarin teacher once a week to pupils in years 3 to 6. During Mandarin lessons, pupils develop practical communication in Mandarin by having opportunities to respond to spoken and written language in different ways, to express ideas and opinions, and ask questions about familiar topics. Pupils learn about the culture in countries that speak Mandarin and they celebrate Chinese New Year in school. In pupil exhibitions, some year groups showcase the learning they have been doing in Mandarin lessons.

Impact:

Pupils engage in their learning and become confident and independent to communicate in another language. Pupils demonstrate a good understanding of the culture In addition to strengthening students’ ability to communicate, learning Mandarin develops their awareness of how language and culture interconnect, helping them appreciate and respect the diversity of British society as well as fostering the enjoyment and pleasure of learning an alternative language