Foreign language learning is an interesting subject at the best of times, notwithstanding the misunderstanding between a foreign and a second language. But, I find the examination of foreign language courses quite thought-provoking.
For some time, I have been studying language schools in the U.K. At least, those progressive schools that include the Chinese language within their curriculum.
As with many European schools, the emphasis of ‘academia’ and ‘language’ is to resist change for various reasons. In the U.K., French and German are popular with both teachers and students because of the relationship of their shared origins. In other words, they are easy. But, if one raises one’s head to look, globally, it is not difficult to notice the increasing Chinese presence. Business is beginning to notice this but, unfortunately, many schools have not ... yet.
All schools teach the French language, just as they did 60 years ago when I was at school. Interestingly, not as a foreign language but, just because ... “we always have”. The German language may be introduced in sixth grade for the same reason, together with Spanish (For some obscure reason). But the slow acceptance of introducing Chinese is narrow-minded.
Originally, the Chinese language was not part of the GCSE and, fortunately, that has changed. But, recently, I have noticed that some schools are teaching the Cantonese dialect instead of Mandarin. Cantonese was the language of Hong Kong and may be heard in most Chinese restaurants, but even in Hong Kong today the CCP mandates the use of Mandarin. Therefore, one wonders if some schools feel that their students will rarely visit China preferring, instead, to visit the local Chinese restaurant.
There is something to be said for the influence of the Confucius Institutes.
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