Sixth Form Handbook 2022-24

MANDARIN CHINESE

Course content and structure China is perhaps the world’s foremost emerging power. One fifth of the world’s population speaks Mandarin Chinese and it is fast becoming a major global language for business and commerce. Indeed, not only is Mandarin spoken in China, but it is used within the influential Chinese communities of Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines and Mongolia. It is one of the world’s oldest languages, having a history of over 5000 years. This course provides pupils with a thorough overview of both the language and culture of this economic giant. Language is taught through the following themes: Social changes in modern China, Chinese Culture, Chinese Society and China’s Opening, and the Reform Policy’s impact on Modern China. Throughout, the focus is on developing comprehensive skills in the disciplines of Reading, Writing and Speaking as well as the capacity for critical and analytical thinking, as independent researchers through the language of study. An excellent work ethic and passion for the subject are what we are expecting from our Sixth Form Mandarin pupils.

Assessment overview All papers are taken at the end of UVI:

Paper 1 Listening, reading and translation

Paper 2 Written response to works and translation

Paper 3 A 21-23 minute oral examination

University and careers links The study of Mandarin Chinese is well suited to a wide range of career options. International businesses seek increasingly to hire those with language skills, while the fact that so much time is spent on the course developing a wider cultural knowledge of China means that this subject also lends itself well to entry onto a multitude of arts-based, as well as language-based degree courses. In fact, Mandarin Chinese is an increasingly important language in world affairs and, as such, it also presents opportunities in government, journalism and a host of other areas. The possibilities are endless.

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