All time high for Cardiff entries to Mandarin language competition
18 October 2023
The world-renowned Mandarin language Chinese Bridge contest saw a record number of entries from Cardiff University and Confucius Institute schools this summer.
Six schools entered a whopping 57 pupils into the primary and secondary school competitions, ten times more than in 2022! With the support of Cardiff Confucius Institute’s tutors, the School of Modern Languages also entered four of its BA Chinese undergraduates. 20 primary school and one secondary school pupil made it through to the finals, along with three Cardiff University students.
Wales also went one step further this year, with Bangor Confucius Institute’s private student Lily Braden of St Gerard’s School Trust taking first place in the individual beginner category of the Secondary School contest. Bangor Confucius Institute is our partner in the Wales China Schools Project, and you can read more about Lily’s win on their website.
Chinese Bridge is a competition organised by the Centre for Language Education & Cooperation (CLEC) UK, and is supported by the British Council. Organiser Christina Zhang from CLEC UK said:
“…this year’s competition has seen the largest number of entries in the last three years since the event was launched in 2021 and the quality of the individual and group shows that entered the final competition this year is superb. It will be a great inspiration to further encourage Mandarin teaching and learning at the primary level across the country.”
A big congratulations goes out to Maes Y Coed and Sully Primary Schools, Ysgolion Garth Olwg, Eirias, Cwm Rhymni and Aberconwy for doing so well in the competitions. A round of applause as well for Guilhermina Mendes, Isaac Yehia, Isabelle Watt and Benjamin Miller from Cardiff University, who threw themselves into this year’s ‘22nd Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition’.
Finally, a special thanks goes to Cardiff Confucius Institute tutors Wei Tang, Zigeng He, Zhang Qi, Xueting Lei, Yongping Fu, Miao Zhang, Hao Kun and Shiyi Deng who helped the students prepare. Well done to you all!