Britain boosts Mandarin in schools as China's power grows Thu Feb 7,
10:09 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080207/lf_afp/britainchinalanguageeducationlunar_080207150935
LONDON (AFP) - Teenagers in England will be able to study for a new
national qualification in Mandarin, reflecting the growing im****tance
of China as a global power, an exam board announced Thursday,
Students aged 15 and 16 will get the chance to study the subject for
their GCSE exams, which all young people in the country have to sit,
from next year, the *****sments and Qualifications Alliance said.
The board said it was making the announcement to coincide with the
start of Lunar New Year.
"Teachers and businesses are calling out and really want to step up
the teaching of Mandarin in schools," said Claire Ellis, public
affairs manager for AQA.
"Interest in China and Chinese has grown quickly over the past few
years, reflecting its increasing im****tance politically and
economically," added a spokeswoman.
The qualification will be available from September 2009. Another,
smaller exam board in England already offers a Mandarin GCSE. AQA is
also rolling out a range of lower qualifications in Mandarin.
|
