Aims of the language learning approach
‘Learning other languages enables children and young people to make connections with different people and their cultures and to play a fuller part as global citizens.' (Curriculum for Excellence)
In line with Curriculum for Excellence and the 1+2 policy, the aims of language learning at Queen Anne High School are:
- to broaden the number of languages and courses which pupils can study
- to develop global ambassadors amongst their pupils, and
- to develop international education through the context of China and Chinese across the curriculum
Planning
The learning and teaching of Mandarin is fully embedded in the work of the modern languages faculty. It is also at the heart of the international education agenda and therefore figures highly on the school improvement plan and all faculty improvement plans across the school.
Careful consideration has been given to provision for all modern languages, particularly in terms of the structure of the curriculum. The curriculum has been carefully designed to afford learners the opportunity to choose from a range of languages throughout their school career, while providing breadth, depth and progression in learning.
Both Mandarin and French are taught in all schools in the primary cluster and S1 pupils can choose to continue either Mandarin or French. In S2 and S3, electives are offered to all learners in a range of languages. Learners, therefore, continue with their chosen S1 language throughout the broad general education (BGE) and have the opportunity to begin another language in S2 and S3. In this way, all learners receive their full entitlement until the end of S3, while still being offered the opportunity to explore a variety of languages. All learners have the opportunity to continue with their language learning in the senior phase. The modern languages faculty offers a range of languages at all levels and a large number of pupils are presented for national qualifications.
Additionally, ESOL was recently introduced by the department to meet the needs of those learners for whom English is not their mother tongue.
To date, a number of learners have achieved success in the HSK 1 and 2 examinations. This is an internationally recognised examination in Chinese language which learners are given the opportunity to sit every year.
Implementation: A whole school approach
Principal teachers in several faculties at Queen Anne High School quickly recognised the interdisciplinary (IDL) opportunities offered by studying Chinese language and culture. Since then, the school has gradually built up an interesting IDL programme with China as its context. This has influenced the learning and teaching that takes place in several departments from the BGE to the end of the senior phase.
By working collegiately, the school has developed meaningful links across the curriculum to create relevant learning experiences for young people which offer breadth and depth, challenge and enjoyment. The recent HMI report praised the school’s strong links with China as a means of developing a range of skills associated with global citizenship.
'…young people find their views and values challenged and develop a better understanding of different cultures. Other young people have benefitted from this work through developing a wider understanding of global issues.'
Instrumental to this whole school approach to developing global citizenship has been the modern languages faculty’s commitment to offering a variety of languages in order to give the young people as broad an outlook on the world as possible.
The school has made effective use of external partners in order to use Chinese culture as a context for learning across the curriculum. For example, in the art department, teachers have consulted pupils about what aspect of Chinese culture they want to explore and this has resulted in a successful transition project for P7/S1 focusing on the work of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. This work was showcased at the Lighthouse in Glasgow.
China Art
The Home Economics department focused on Chinese cookery and diet, and the music department worked extensively on introducing traditional Chinese instruments into their curriculum.
In a similar way, the PE department has focused on table tennis and has successfully introduced Jianzi as an engaging way building of building co-ordination skills.
In social studies, the focus on China as a context for learning is particularly evident. The geography department has been actively involved in links with China through the interactive website ChinaClub HQ and learners study the physical geography of China. The first project was linked to a SCEN global classroom event at Edinburgh Zoo based on animals of Scotland and China. S2 Pupils from the geography department did a presentation called Pandas and Puffins following a linked project with Changshu Xiaoyou High School in Changshu.
The PT of Modern Studies has also introduced China to the National 4 and 5 courses.
Additionally, senior pupils have also taken part in a World Challenge expedition to China that developed them as global citizens and enhanced their leadership skills.
Partnerships
In September 2011, Queen Anne High took part in the Plants in China and Scotland project held at The Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, in partnership with SCEN. Beforehand, there was an exchange of information between Queen Anne and Changshu Xiaoyou High School. S2 pupils were supported by the senior Eco team to deliver presentations on plant diversity and conservation.
The school has established strong partnerships with a number of organisations including SCEN, the Scotland China Education Network, and the music department worked in conjunction with the Tapestry Partnership and Confucius Institute for Scotland in The Silk Road to Scotland music project.