Mandarin learning expanding in UK, minister confirms

Mandarin is a vital language for the United Kingdom and its teaching is being expanded, the nation's schools minister has confirmed.

Nick Gibb, minister of state at the UK's Department for Education, or DfE, made the comments in a video message sent to the 20th Annual Chinese Teaching Conference, in London, England on Saturday, where professionals had gathered to celebrate the fruitful results of Mandarin teaching initiatives and discuss the expansion of their delivery in UK schools.

"If we want to be a forward-looking dynamic player on the world stage, we can't rely on others to speak English," said Gibb. "By learning Mandarin, our pupils will be far better equipped to flourish in this global marketplace and to reap the opportunities that come with it."

He singled out the UK's Mandarin Excellence Program, or MEP, which he said had been "very successful" and was being expanded.

Starting in 2016, the MEP, which is funded by the DfE, has been delivered through state secondary schools in England, with support from the British Council and the Confucius Institute for Schools at the University College London Institute of Education.

Students on the MEP are required to acclimatize themselves with the intensive nature of the project and put in an average of eight hours of work per week, which could consist of in-classroom lessons, after-school teaching, self-study, and more.

"There are now 81 schools across the country participating in the program," said Gibb. "It has benefited more than 11,000 pupils … By September next year, we will expand the program to reach 100 schools … I am also very pleased to announce that we have now extended the program into the sixth form, from this academic year."

The sixth form represents the final two years of pre-university study in the English school system. Previously, the MEP had been designed to be completed before students started their sixth-form studies.

"Mandarin is a wonderful, rich, and versatile language, and I want to see far more young people choosing to study it," the minister concluded.

Katharine Carruthers, director of the Confucius Institute for Schools at the University College London Institute of Education, told China Daily 10 schools in England will initially be eligible for a 10,000-pound ($12,130) funding injection this year in connection with the expansion of the MEP, and she said the number of pilot schools offering sixth-form study will gradually be increased.

Carruthers also revealed that efforts are being made to offer students internship opportunities in China, which will be aimed at helping those wanting to continue their language learning journeys or considering building China-related careers.

"The DfE has been very supportive … And the next steps we take in both developing English learning for the Chinese children and Chinese learning for our children can improve the bilateral relations and foster intercultural understanding," Carruthers added.