KS3
About the Course
The Mandarin course is part of the national Mandarin Excellence Programme, an intensive Mandarin learning programme supported by Department of Education, British Council, and Institute of Education of University College London. Students will make accelerated progress through four hours taught lessons per week, comprehensive home learning tasks, and enrichment opportunities.
Through the course students develop an understanding of the Mandarin language in four skill areas: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The course develops the skills required to communicate in the target language (including writing Chinese characters) and allows students to explore the culture of China and Mandarin speaking countries/regions around the world. It is supported by an online resource ‘GoChinese’ that provides opportunities for students to practise and consolidate knowledge at home and outside of the classroom.
What they will learn
The Year 7 Mandarin course is based on the textbook “Jìn Bù 1”. Students will learn topics of greetings, family and home, hobbies and sports, and school.
The Year 8 Mandarin course is based on the textbook “Jìn Bù 2”. Students will learn topics of food and drink, holidays, personal identity, clothes and daily routine, and local areas. They will also learn aspects of grammar and complex structure that allow them to recount present, past and future events, thus preparing students for language study at GCSE level.
The Year 9 Mandarin course is based on the textbook “Jìn Bù 2”. Students will learn topics of shopping (in supermarket, in department store and online), as well as travelling in China. Students will also start the GCSE course in the second half of the academic year.
How it will be assessed
Students will take end of topic assessments per 1-2 half term. They will sit in the Hurdle Test (external examination of Mandarin Excellence Programme) in the fifth half term. All assessments follow the same structure as the GCSE exam which they will sit at the end of Year 11.
KS4
About the Course
GCSE Chinese (spoken Mandarin) enables students to build on the reading, listening, speaking and writing skills they have begun to develop in Years 7-9. Students will learn to produce language spontaneously in speaking and writing and to understand a wide variety of texts in listening and reading, including literary texts. In addition, students will deepen their knowledge of grammatical structures and understanding about the culture of China.
What they will learn
Students will study topics drawn from three broad themes: Identity and Culture; Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest and Current and Future Study and Employment. Students will be familiar with many of these topics from Years 7-9, however at GCSE these topics will be studied in greater depth. The aim is for the students to develop a large vocabulary which they are able to use in different contexts and situations. Students will also learn to develop their ideas and opinions, using a wide range of structures and tenses and to express themselves confidently in writing and speaking.
Aside from this, students also learn about the cultures of the countries where the languages that they study are spoken, with an aim to not only be able to communicate but also be interested in different cultures, their traditions and ways to view the world. Together with topics about citizenship (e. g. healthy living), students develop a better understanding of the global community we are all part of.
How it will be assessed
Listening, reading, speaking and writing will all be assessed through terminal exams at the end of Year 11 (25% each).
Throughout the course students will be assessed on speaking, writing, reading and listening skills through formative assessments in class as well as termly or half termly end of topic assessments.
Exam board
AQA Full GCSE (9-1) Qualification in Mandarin Chinese
Acting Head of Department:
Ms Yang
Email:
YangC@cfbs.islington.sch.uk
