Institution: Avonbourne School

Context
Avonbourne School is an all female 11-16 Business and Enterprise College in Bournemouth. The school prides itself on providing girls with an excellent twenty-first century education which inspires them to greater achievements and successes throughout life. Avonbourne is a school with a well earned reputation for a secure, caring but well disciplined environment where the students are characterised by their integrity, determination and compassion. The international dimension has a high profile and is important as it establishes for all the students a challenging learning environment that prepares learners to live and work in our fast-moving, interdependent, global society. The school achieved the full International Schools award and Cultural Diversity Quality Standard (gold) in 2008.

Mandarin was first introduced to Avonbourne by Chinese teacher Mrs R. Tan. The class was first started by a small group of Year 7 enthusiasts as a language club in the summer of 2008 with the group size of around 10 students. Then in the following year, two language clubs were open to both Year 7 and Year 8 students. The Mandarin clubs were open to all students on a voluntary basis. The academic ability of both groups varied from linguists who were studying two European languages to students with English as a second language. 

Principles of teaching
A range of teaching resources and materials are employed to engage with the students.  Combinations of practical and academic classes have brought together language and cultural elements to improve the learning outcomes. In the Mandarin club, students have the opportunity to explore Chinese culture through various activities including cooking, paper cutting, paper folding, calligraphy, and singing. The students have also been encouraged to research and discuss important cultural celebrations, with the school supporting a visit to China town to celebrate and learn about the Chinese New year.  Through regular commutation with their Chinese peers, the students have been able to research and exchange ideas on various topics from school life to the impact of One Child Policy. There is more information on the school's webpages about the Chinese work.  

‘I had never had any past experience with the language. I wanted to join the Chinese club because I have learnt lots and the teacher is very nice. We have learnt about the culture of China and the lessons are very fun. We went on a trip to London, I am very glad I decided to come. We also got Chinese pen pals and we email them frequently. The Chinese language is very unique and different from ours.’ Year 7 student

Issues/tips

• Start off with a small group of enthusiasts and, for example, a language club to generate initial interest.
• Think breadth – where students experience a range of cultural and linguistic themes e.g. cultural events / holidays, food, dress, etc. rather than purely language acquisition.
• Trips and visits reinforce this and are hugely enjoyable e.g. to Chinatown.
• Develop links with Chinese schools utilising ICT e.g. video conferencing.
• Develop these relationships further with a pen pal scheme (using email and letters).
• Raise the profile further using intra and inter school communications e.g. student bulletins, assemblies, the school website etc.

Impact on learners
Students develop a great interest in and appreciation of Chinese language and culture and better understanding of school life in China through regular communication with their Chinese peers by email and video-conferencing. As a result of the continuous growth and enthusiasm of Mandarin learning, the Year 6 students are going to the take part in the Mandarin Chinese Speaking Competition organised by the British Council and supported by the HSBC Global Education Programme. This programme aims to support and promote the teaching of Chinese as a modern foreign language in UK schools.

The teaching of Mandarin at Avonbourne has opened another dimension to the Internationalism of the school. Students regularly converse with ‘friends’ they have made with students at Nanhai No 1 High School; exchanging cultural perspectives and views on world issues. I find it amazing that the friendship between these young people can spark curriculum development (we are offering Mandarin GCSE from 2010); action research projects between teachers in the two schools and a planned exchange. This is what International links should be about, forged through the students and sustainable.  D Godfrey-Phaure, Headteacher

Future developments

• Possible student exchange with Chinese link school.
• Possible teacher exchange too.
• Introduction of GCSE Mandarin.
• Collaborative pedagogical research projects between teachers of the two schools 

Author: Ruiyan Tan, Chinese Teachers in Dorset