BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR CHINESE STUDIES

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Chinese Studies in UK Schools
Follow-up briefing document 

Specialist Schools Trust Chinese Network

LINKS 

China is the world's fastest growing and most dynamic economy, and one of the most influential regions of the globe. Yet China barely features in the UK schools' curriculum. Much more needs to be done to promote Chinese Studies - non-language as well as language - throughout the school system. The British Association for Chinese Studies has been actively involved in various initiatives over the years to promote the study of China and Chinese at different levels of the education system.

If you are looking for information about Chinese in UK primary and secondary schools, CILT, the National Centre for Languages, is the Government’s recognised centre of expertise on languages. Their website provides statistics, links and information. In 2003 there were around 70 secondary schools which provided Chinese language teaching.

BACS Schools Liaison Officer, Katharine Carruthers, runs the Specialist Schools Trust Chinese Network for school teachers and pupils of Mandarin. 
katharine @ chinacam.demon.co.uk. The network's website site contains many useful links for teachers and learners of Chinese at school level. 

The British Council's Schools Partnership programme with China involves a range of opportunities for schools and teachers:
Professional Development Seminars
School Partnerships
Language immersion - for teachers and students
Joint Curriculum Projects
Gap year in China
Chinese Language Assistants Programme
Chinese Speaking Competition for schools

See also the BACS Links Page for schools/teaching links.

BACS' Survey of Chinese Studies in UK Schools (36-page pdf. file) was published by Dr Jenny Clegg in January 2004. A follow-up briefing document of July 2005 updates the situation.