Mandarin Club at St Joseph's & St Gregory's Primary School

Since September 2019, a group of two or three Lower Sixth form boys have been teaching Mandarin to a group of 10 Year 3 and 4 children at St Joseph's & St Gregory's Primary School and Nursery, in Biddenham. The boys are native Mandarin speakers who have volunteered to teach the children over a Friday lunchtime each week. They plan the lessons themselves and cover a wide range of topics, including basic greetings, counting, Chinese New Year greeting, and even writing some Mandarin characters. 

Aims

To provide primary school children in the community an opportunity to have fun learning a subject (in this case a language) they would not normally have the opportunity to learn.

Background

Each week a group of two or three Sixth Form boys from Bedford School prepare a lesson to teach to a group of 10 Year 3 and Year 4 pupils at St Gregory’s and St Joseph’s Primary School.

The lessons have covered areas including basic greetings, counting, Chinese New Year greetings and writing Mandarin characters. 

Resources

The Bedford School boys planned the lessons themselves. The lessons included a range of activities, some of which required the use of pens, paper, worksheets, whiteboard, and whiteboard pens. These resources were all readily available at St Gregory's and St Joseph's Primary School. 

Impact

We were told by the teacher that the lessons were a highlight of the week for the children, and their progress was excellent. 

The Sixth Formers were particularly impressed to hear them greet them each week in Mandarin.

It was touching to see the children present the boys with thank-you cards and perform a specially prepared play for them during their last lesson by way of thanks.

Pupil Involvement

Three Lower Sixth native Mandarin speaking boys. 

Frequency

Every Friday lunchtime, during term-time.