Mandarin Club at Goldington Green Academy

A group of native Mandarin-speaking Lower Sixth pupils have been visiting Goldington Green Academy, a local primary school, to do a lunchtime club in Mandarin, looking at the Mandarin language as well as various aspects of Chinese culture (including the Chinese New Year and the Chinese Zodiac).

The club is open to children in Year 3 and Year 4, and it takes place every Friday lunchtime during term time.

Aims

The aim of this club is to provide Year 3 and Year 4 children who are interested in other languages and cultures to get some experience of the Mandarin language and Chinese culture. These lessons, which they would not have had access to otherwise, will hopefully inspire a future interest in learning about languages and other cultures around the world. 

Background

Each week a group of two or three boys prepares a lesson to teach to a group of between 8 and 12 Year 3 and Year 4 children at Goldington Green Academy.

The lessons have covered areas such as basic greetings, numbers, colours, Chinese zodiac signs and writing out Chinese New Year greetings. 

Resources

The Sixth Formers plan the lessons themselves, and any resources required (e.g. printing / paper) can be obtained from the school.

Impact

Highlights have included the children learning a simple counting game, which is popular in Chinese primary schools, as well as making their own ‘red envelopes’ in traditional Chinese style.

The children were also given a red envelope themselves, containing a small amount of Chinese currency (in Yen) which they found very exciting. One of the children brought in a thank-you card for the Sixth Formers the following week.

Pupil Involvement

Three Lower Sixth native Mandarin-speaking volunteers.

Frequency

Friday lunchtimes during term time.