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Mandarin Chinese

Mandarin Chinese. Confey College in association with National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Chinese: some food for thought…. China’s position in the world changing rapidly China to overtake USA as largest economy Companies worldwide keen to do business in China

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Mandarin Chinese

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  1. Mandarin Chinese Confey College in association with National University of Ireland, Maynooth

  2. Chinese: some food for thought….. • China’s position in the world changing rapidly • China to overtake USA as largest economy • Companies worldwide keen to do business in China • All indications are that these trends will continue

  3. China & Ireland • Relationship is developing rapidly • Visit of Vice -President Xi in Feb 2012 • Visit of Taoiseach to China in March 2012 • Multiple announcements in relation to economic projects

  4. Chinese: benefits for your child • Being among the first students in Ireland to study world’s most spoken language • Acquiring knowledge of ancient culture • Acquiring ability to speak Mandarin Chinese • Possibility of taking Chinese at Third Level • Enhanced employment prospects

  5. Chinese and Irish Education • Importance of introducing Chinese into schools is recognised at government and official level • Considerable barriers to achieving this • Currently Chinese is not an examination subject for Junior or Leaving Cert • Dept of Ed intends revamping Junior Cert and reducing number of exam subjects to 8 • Minister has encouraged schools to begin this process immediately

  6. Chinese and Irish Education • National Council for Curriculum and Assessment launched a Transition Year module last May • NCCA plan to have a Mandarin Chinese module incorporated into the new Junior Cert for 2017. • First school to offer Chinese was Loreto, Bray, in 2008. Loreto offers Chinese classes as an after- school activity. • A number of schools now offer Chinese as an after-school subject or as a TY module

  7. Chinese and NUI Maynooth • Opened Confucius Classroom 2009 – affiliated to the Confucius Institute in UCC • Supported by NUIM Language Centre • Confey College teacher recruited in China and paid for by UCC • Commitment to providing teacher for three years • Assistance with sourcing textbooks and materials • Assistance with administration of exams

  8. Chinese in Confey College • First school to offer Chinese as a Junior Cycle subject • Students take Chinese as one of their two option subjects: • Art, Business, Computers, Home Economics, Mandarin Chinese Metalwork, Music, Tech. Graphics, Woodwork • Chinese will not be part of the Options Sampling in September • Chinese will be studied in addition to French or German

  9. Chinese in Confey College • Students do graded, age-appropriate exams, Youth Chinese Tests • Chinese is more challenging than a European language • School is recommending that students considering Mandarin Chinese should have above average academic ability and application • Initial agreement with NUIM is for three years so at this point we cannot give any undertaking in relation to the subject continuing beyond 2016

  10. Chinese: terms & conditions • We are asking for a commitment from students and parents to stay with the programme for the three years • We are asking for applications to be returned to the admin office by Friday 11th April • We are offering 24 places • In the event of more that 24 students seeking a place we will assess the applications and may contact parents to discuss the application. • If there is still over-subscription places will be allocated by means of a lottery

  11. And finally….. • In 2011 Chinese tourists outspent tourists from US in Brown Thomas. BT now looking for retail staff with knowledge of Mandarin • PWC recently looking to recruit ‘Chinese aware’ staff

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