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Give Chinese lessons to every Scots pupil, says headteacher

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Published Date: 06 March 2008
By FIONA MACLEOD
EDUCATION CORRESPONDENT
ALL pupils in Scotland should be given the chance to learn Chinese, a pioneer of teaching the subject has said.
Dr Judith McClure, headteacher of St George's School in Edinburgh, which was among the first to offer the subject, said mastery of it was a key skill.

Dr McClure, who is also convener of the Scotland China Education Network, said: "It is what bus
iness needs – people with an understanding and a familiarity with Chinese culture, especially people who are able to communicate."

She made the call as she commended the Scottish Government for aiming at stronger links with China.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government was supportive of the call and said many councils were already looking at offering the language.

He said: "We believe that it is good to encourage a range of languages and we would encourage them to consider this.

"At the same time, Learning Teaching Scotland (the government's curriculum quango] are working to develop greater support for schools in Chinese culture and language."

Yesterday, the education secretary Fiona Hyslop, on a visit to the Confucius Centre in Edinburgh, which helps promote the Chinese language, announced she will travel to China next month. She described it as a "marvellous" time to visit the Olympic host-nation and revealed plans to meet the country's education minister.

She said: "I am leading a delegation consisting of experts from the further and higher education sectors. The purpose of our visit is to strengthen our engagement with China, with a particular focus on developing existing and new educational and research links."

She will also meet business contacts in the renewable energies and life-sciences sectors.

She added: "China presents an enormous opportunity for Scotland. We see strong ties in education, science research, culture and business between Scotland and China."

More than 4,000 Chinese students attend Scottish universities and Heriot-Watt has a particularly strong link.

A spokeswoman said: "Given the rapid development of the Chinese economy, it will continue to be an important client for Scottish higher education, and we hope that Ms Hyslop's visit will build on the ties between the two countries."

HEADING EAST
THE Confucius Centre is a partnership between Edinburgh University and Fudan University in Shanghai to promote economic, educational and cultural ties between Scotland and China.

Fiona Hyslop was visiting the centre to meet 32 Scottish students due to travel to China to take part in Easter and summer schools, as part of a drive to build stronger links with the world's fastest-growing major economy.

The aim is for the students to pick up some language and learn about Chinese culture.



Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 05 March 2008 10:59 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Furchrissake,

06/03/2008 02:19:16
I suggested this to my son when he started secondary school 15 years ago. He laughed. The only choices were French and German. On my university course, at the same time, only one graduate chose Chinese as part of his post-graduate course. If only, if only.

It would be right to start teaching the language and culture now in primary -rather than secondary schools.
2

Navvy,

06/03/2008 03:34:00
A lot of sense in this. We are a long way behind China Japan and other countries where people learn commercially useful languages often years ahead in anticipation of markets opening
3

Very Rev Ian Paisley,

06/03/2008 05:06:44
Ting bu dong
4

yockel,

06/03/2008 06:34:07
Aye, lets admit defeat and get it over with.
5

nabodican,

Rural Scotland 06/03/2008 07:00:09
Why do you need to learn Chinese to ask for two number twenty sevens!!!
6

Nell,

The Preservation Hall 06/03/2008 07:49:03
I went into the local chinese takeaway to buy some cigarettes. I asked for twenty number 6 and came out with a ton of fried rice.
7

Mìcheal a Eilean Rùim,

Richmond. 06/03/2008 08:12:56
I agree entirely. I live in a Chinese community in Western Canada and both my grandson and I speak Cantonese. I encouraged him to learn because it is clear that Chinese, especially Mandarin, the national language, is going to be a major international language. Like any language, it is no more difficult to learn than any other; and Mandarin is probably the easiest of all the Chinese languages to learn and not that distant from Cantonese; rather like Scots and English. Many Caucasians here speak some Cantonese, having learned it from Chinese friends at school. My Cantonese is fair, but I'm still bemused when I hear my grandson blethering away in perfect Cantonese with his friends. Recently we have had a large inflow of Mandarin speakers and the importance of that language has prompted many Chinese locals to start learning it.
Yet, sadly, I can't get my boy interested in Gaelic...
8

DAVID,

Edinburgh 06/03/2008 09:11:17
Better idea than the politically correct posturing over teaching us Gaelic.
9

Guthrie,

Edinburgh 06/03/2008 09:23:52
#9 - I was wondering when someone would point out that "chinese" is not an adequate description of the languages they use. Why can't the Scotsman use the name "Mandarin", which is I understand the language the Chinese authorities have been promoting for years across the country to take over from local dialects.
10

Ron S,

Edinburgh 06/03/2008 10:01:39
Might not be a bad idea to teach them English first.
11

Iain's,

06/03/2008 10:02:56
So St G's sees a future in overcharging pupils from China.
12

,

06/03/2008 10:18:21
Comment Removed By Administrator
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13

,

06/03/2008 10:20:51
Comment Removed By Administrator
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14

Canning,

06/03/2008 10:53:37
Please correct me if I am wrong but is it not the case that a large proportion of the chinese population, particularly in business circle are learning or have learned English in preperation for the olympics? Therefore it would seem a bit odd to have a policy of every school learning chinese- especially when you consider that only a small proportion of the population is ever goin to have an extensive use for the language. perhaps we would do better if we ensured our kids learned how to read and wrinte in English accross teh board before we go daft with other languages.
15

Media 1,

cape town 06/03/2008 11:01:12
Canning

You are spot on...Took the words out my mouth!

Perhaps the majority of Scottish children should be taught to speak proper English, prior to teaching them Chinese.
Most of the Scottish chippy eating, irn bru drinking, cursing, slovenly kids in Scotland cannot pronounce a lot of words, let alone string a sentence together in English, so why go to the trouble of teaching them Chineses?

Good idea, but not very practical! Lets sort out the problems Scots have wit English first.
16

GP,

06/03/2008 11:22:41
2# spot on
start teaching chinese at primary school not secondary or university.
17

bill-alba,

Fife 06/03/2008 12:09:55
David it is not politically correct to learn gaelic it is politically correct to learn english...I agree lets learn Chinese then we won't need to learn english.
18

Resolutions,

06/03/2008 12:11:12
#19 What do you call 'proper English'? There is nothing wrong with Scots.

This should be a matter of choice, but another language in this day and age is essential and they are more likely to encounter European tongues in everyday life - be it French, German, Spanish(very widely spoken world wide), Polish, Russian. Also have we enough qualified teachers, complete with Disclosure forms to think about this?

Oh and how is your Afrikaans?
19

Calum Crubag,

06/03/2008 12:46:40
Media - you're out of touch. Go and learn something about language acquistion in children. Specifically Chomsky's work. Learning more than one language means overall better linuistic attainment. That's why the kids in Scotland and Wales with the best English attainment are in Gaelic and Welsh medium education. That's why they learn third languages like French or Spanish better.

If we teach the kids Mandarin as well as English/ Gaelic, they would lap it up.
20

G,

dundy 06/03/2008 12:49:21
Where will the cash come from for all these extra Chinese teachers? If this idea means less money for some other subject then forget it....
21

brettgallacher,

edinburgh 06/03/2008 13:43:50
lets be radical and tell the chinese to learn english 99.99% of population have NO need to learn a foreign language my daughter does not need and never will need to speak chinese other than ordering a take away we have thousands of different products from various countries around the world french wine polish tomatos new zealand lamb just because a country has a lot of trade with another you dont need to learn their language pure waste of tax payers money because in the real world money talks first and b ullsh1t walks and thats the only language anyone needs to learn
22

Mcsnagpile,

06/03/2008 13:45:08
Wo shang yow Number 5--Woo?.
Shai Shai Peyiow liang
23

brettgallacher,

edinburgh 06/03/2008 13:45:23
the only mandarin i would need is one thats put in my stocking at christmas
24

brettgallacher,

edinburgh 06/03/2008 13:46:51
how long before the thousands and thousands of chinese people who come here refuse to speak english? sorry like all migrants they do that already
25

Colin Midlem,

Belmont, USA 06/03/2008 15:47:36
This argument for learning languages at school will still be debated in another 20 years because the British in general have little interest in stooping to other cultures. We are only out shined by our US cousins, some of whom have picked up 'American Spanish' due to the large Hispanic population.

Due to our trading history the Scots have a propensity for the languages of Northern Europe and the Far East. There exist within our population exceptional linguists who have learnt the necessary languages through the need to conduct trade.

A good friend is competent in Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese. He is also competent in all west European tongues and will pick up another language given a month's education. Now this is an exceptional talent which is given to only a few. Another Scot from Edinburgh is an interpreter at the UN and has probably expanded his studies of Russian, German and French further.

I am proud to speak Queen's English, Lallan's plus the French derivatives of Canada which are Quebecois and Acadian. Exposure to the last three have been post school and gained by immersion in the appropriate cultures and a willingness to ensure I can converse in the predominant culture. Spanish is my next target because my adopted country has a large Hispanic population which is growing very fast. The Americans are upset that they won't speak US English and adopt the 'English' approach by speaking louder.

I have no capacity for learning languages but can learn when exposed to the culture and given the indulgence of the locals of my ignorance. It is recognised as a friendly gesture to mash their language but make the attempt to accommodate the foreigner and educate him.

Teaching me french and russian at school was a waste of time but did give the courage later to dive into the pool.
26

Colin Midlem,

Belmont, USA 06/03/2008 15:48:27
This argument for learning languages at school will still be debated in another 20 years because the British in general have little interest in stooping to other cultures. We are only out shined by our US cousins, some of whom have picked up 'American Spanish' due to the large Hispanic population.

Due to our trading history the Scots have a propensity for the languages of Northern Europe and the Far East. There exist within our population exceptional linguists who have learnt the necessary languages through the need to conduct trade.

A good friend is competent in Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese. He is also competent in all west European tongues and will pick up another language given a month's education. Now this is an exceptional talent which is given to only a few. Another Scot from Edinburgh is an interpreter at the UN and has probably expanded his studies of Russian, German and French further.

I am proud to speak Queen's English, Lallan's plus the French derivatives of Canada which are Quebecois and Acadian. Exposure to the last three have been post school and gained by immersion in the appropriate cultures and a willingness to ensure I can converse in the predominant culture. Spanish is my next target because my adopted country has a large Hispanic population which is growing very fast. The Americans are upset that they won't speak US English and adopt the 'English' approach by speaking louder.

I have no capacity for learning languages but can learn when exposed to the culture and given the indulgence of the locals of my ignorance. It is recognised as a friendly gesture to mash their language but make the attempt to accommodate the foreigner and educate him.

Teaching me french and russian at school was a waste of time but did give the courage later to dive into the pool.
27

The Fly Fifer,

Fife 06/03/2008 16:07:47
I agree, when the chinese tanks are rolling over students in Scotland when they try to protest it is only fair they know the warning (if any given) also the survivors will need to understand the strict instructions given for hand scrubbing the streets of all th eblood and body parts left after the massacre.

For historical reference read up on Tianamin Square
28

Cauchy Riemann,

Wales 06/03/2008 16:56:38
I did French, Latin & Russian at school. Forgotten most of it & have never used any of them. Its a nice idea learning different languages, but for most people its broadly just an intellectual exercise, rather than something that people are going to use.
29

John Blackley,

Winter Garden, FL 06/03/2008 17:21:38
I agree that making children competent in English should be a priority for any school in Britain. However, teaching foreign languages to children not only gives them options later in their education but also increases their ability to learn other subjects.

Now, as to whether a given child will need a given language later in life, well, if you can decide that while the child's still in school then you have more insight than Mystic Meg.

Having multi-lingual citizens adds to the wealth of the nation as well as the wealth of the individual and it makes sense, therefore, to give each child a basic skill in the languages most common among our trading partners, By doing that, we allow the child to make choices for itself as it grows.
30

Over the Top,

06/03/2008 17:29:11
It really is good to know that there are so many English language cultural imperialists still out there. I wonder what they would do if the speakers of other languages did the same.

Naturally all Scots know that Gaelic is Scotlands national language and now needs to be treated as such.
31

The Fly Fifer,

Fife 06/03/2008 19:03:31
Dave, Hi, Teàrlach Eideard Stiùbhairt or Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Silvester Severino Maria Stuart that young Italian born in Rome did not speak gaelic or Scots
32

Furchrissake,

06/03/2008 20:42:58
36# Gaelic is a dead language which is why it remains on the edge of Scottish society alongside the wee frees. Nice and touristy, but that's all. It has no facility to develop in the way that English does and this is shown in the number and type of new words in the modern world that have no expression in Gaelic.
33

Miss Jean Brodie,

06/03/2008 20:45:51
Those who wish to speak chinese - send to china! The rest of us - Gaelic will dhu!
34

John Blackley,

Winter Garden, FL 06/03/2008 20:50:35
#36 Over The Top: "Naturally all Scots know that Gaelic is Scotlands national language and now needs to be treated as such."

No it isn't and - defining 'national' as universally used throughout the country - it never was.
35

The Fly Fifer,

fife 06/03/2008 21:43:40
41 you coul dhave picked beter examples all three words you gave are indeed english words by any definition :-)
36

Over the Top,

06/03/2008 22:05:57
Since 60% of words in the English language come from languages like Frisian, I hardly think that Gaelic borrows very many. Indeed why are the English words for Loch, Glen, Strath, sporran, galore, whisky and many more used rather than simply borrowed.

Some other persons will be able to tell us which languages Computer, television, telephone, are taken/borrowed/stolen etc from.
37

The Fly Fifer,

fife 06/03/2008 22:10:24


According to David R. Wilton, management consultant and amateur etymologist, the origin and evolution of the word computer is rather straightforward. Computer derives directly from the Latin computus and computare

38

The Fly Fifer,

fife 06/03/2008 22:12:46
telephone, from télé- "far" + phone "sound"
39

The Fly Fifer,

fife 06/03/2008 22:15:15
formed in English but borrowed from French. télévision, from tele- + vision ie far sight
40

Steve Evans,

Malta 06/03/2008 22:46:32
Is this something to do with the Olympics? The Welsh Secretary was in China today promoting Welsh Culture. It can only lead one to think China must be desparate for Welsh Culture! Scotland must be following suit, but with slightly more to offer...
41

,

07/03/2008 04:04:44
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
42

Biker,

Ayr 07/03/2008 10:33:17
Your comments on speaking Chinese are well met Dunderhead and I agree with them. However your drivel on compairing Germany and Chinese cultures is purile at best. It was Chinese upon Chinese at TIANANMIN square as I remember. Unprovked and unneccesary, as are the dealings with Tibet. No appology in the world would make up for the way the Chinese government dealt with their own people.Stop appologising for them.
43

Biker,

Ayr 09/03/2008 12:56:03
Aw c'mon Dunderhead you can do better than that. Unlike you I dont sit around waiting for you next innaccurate tome to hit the screen
Let me first address the question of Tibetan population. Yes indeed it has increased, by the number of Chinese put ito the area to annex it. The Idea was a crude form of ethnic cleansing perpetuated to reduce the purity of the Tibetan nation. This my friend is a matter of fact and Un documentation.
Now lets discuss the Culloden issue. 300 years of civilisation makes all the difference although the Chinese seem to have stayed where they are with regard to human rights. This again is a matter of record with both the UN and Amnesty international, but I suppose you take no heed of this in your over inflated desire to be right.
The Nazis as I recall did what they did to raise racial purity and kill all those not deemed ayrian enough. I condem them for this as I do so the Chinese for TIAN AM MEN . Try not to be so pedantic on spelling, it makes you look even smaller minded than usual.
By the Way, I also condemn Ross Fyffe for his stupid and innain comments.

 

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