Mandarin in South African schools moves forward

Posted By: Admin March 16, 2016

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By March 16, 2016Share on LinkedIn

Mandarin in South African schools moves forward

The process for formalising the policy for the teaching of Mandarin is at an advanced stage, according to the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga.

The Gauteng Department of Education is currently piloting the teaching of the Chinese language in South African Schools, mainly in the Tshwane South District.

There are 14 schools which are currently teaching the Chinese language and a list of 13 new schools has been proposed for 2016, the minister said.

“I am happy to announce that 2,000 textbooks will be donated by the Chinese government to assist in teaching mandarin in schools until a South African textbook is developed.

“We are also looking at establishing e-learning classrooms for the pilot schools teaching Mandarin,” Motshekga said at a recent launch event in Johannesburg.

The roll-out of Chinese subjects was incrementally implemented in schools with Grades 4-9 and 10 in January 2016, to be followed by Grade 11 in 2017 and Grade 12 in 2018, according to the Department of Basic Education.

The minister noted that the Chinese government has committed to the following:

  • Organise experts to compile Chinese language textbooks that are suited to South African conditions;
  • Send 100 teachers and volunteers every year for the next five years to mentor and support local teachers of Mandarin;
  • Train 200 local Chinese language teachers each year for the next five years through local Confucius Institutes;
  • Provide Confucius Institutes Scholarships in China (offer two scholarships for full teaching qualifications in China);
  • Support South African educational institutions to apply for opening of Confucius Institutes/classrooms; and
  • Send the Chinese Language Advisor to work on setting up systems for introduction of teaching of Chinese Language in South African schools.
  • The Chinese government has also committed two scholarships for the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

 

More on relations with China

Teaching Mandarin in SA schools is political ‘gat kruiping’

SA teachers, police to learn Mandarin

SA adds Mandarin to school curriculum

 

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