CCI launches 'Mandarin for Teachers' course across south Wales

27 teachers from across south Wales have signed up for a ‘Mandarin for Teachers’ Course which is being piloted by Cardiff Confucius Institute.

The six-week beginners-level Mandarin Course is open to all Primary and Secondary school teachers in Wales and is running in three different schools across the region. Millbrook Primary, Ysgol Cwm Rhymni and Whitmore High school are all hosting the courses which run weekly from 4-5pm.

The course aims to support the Welsh Government’s Global Futures strategy by providing the professional development of the education workforce through up-skilling and CPD opportunity for teachers.

Sam Rowland, a teacher from Pontnewydd Primary who is attending the course at Millbrook Primary School said, ‘the course is good fun and it’s great to try a new language which may help when the new curriculum is introduced.’

Another of those attending the course is Professional Learning Advisor from the EAS for South East Wales, Sioned Harold who said, ‘In the EAS, we are committed to not only promoting international languages and lifelong learning, but also to practising it.  When the opportunity arose for free after school Mandarin at two of our EAS Confucius classrooms, I didn’t hesitate to sign up. With our patient and helpful ‘Lăoshi’ (teacher) the enjoyable and educational hour flies by far too quickly!  I’m hoping for more classes after this! Xie xie Confucius Insititute and Cardiff University!’

Rachel Andrews, who manages the Wales china Schools Project said, ‘we are really pleased that so many teachers have taken the opportunity to participate in Mandarin lessons and we hope that their new skills and confidence in learning another language will translate into their classrooms - particularly given the flexibility of the new curriculum.

Following the pilot, Cardiff Confucius Institute plans to offer a rolling-programme of the 6-week courses to enable as many teachers as possible to take part.