Chinese - Mandarin
In 2011 Kelston Girls' College was fortunate to have the support of the Confucius Society to help in a year long Cultural Diversity Project which saw Mandarin introduced to a group of 30 students in Year 9 and 30 students in Year 10. The students researched the culture and history of China and drew conclusions about the similarities and differences that exist between cultures. This is an Impact Study as part of Asia Awareness as outlined in the New Zealand Curriculum document.
We subscribe to the research that suggests that capable thinkers are open to learning new languages, particularly when the focus is practical communication rather than theoretical and written.Parents were asked to give their written approval for this, and they overwhelmingly supported this. We have a language teacher from China teaching Mandarin. There is a strong interest amongst our students on Pacific Rim and Asian cultures.
Principal Mrs Fox, was invited to take part in a New Zealand Principal’s Delegation to China in October 2010 which was funded by the Confucius Society. During their visit the Principals visited many well known sites such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Beijing Institute of Education, the Great Wall of China plus school visits to Shanghai Primary School and the School of Xu Hui Teachers’ Institute.
2010 New Zealand Principals' Delegation to China
Our Mandarin teacher - Wei Chaou
Students practising paper cutting
Wei Chaou with Year 9 Students
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