Chinese as an International Language at Rotorua Boys’ High School 2015

 In 1996 and 20 years ago Rotorua Boys’ High School first offered Chinese as an International Language with a “before school class” offered to senior students of both Rotorua Boys’ High School and Rotorua Girls’ High School. This class was taught by the late Dr Myra Chou who had recently retired as a Scientist at the Forest Research Institute (now Scion) in Rotorua. These first classes laid the foundation for the teaching of Chinese in Rotorua and indeed the Bay of Plenty.  In 1998 Chinese as an International Language was incorporated into the normal timetable as a junior school option and a part time Teacher of Chinese was appointed. At this time Rotorua Boys’ High School also offered French, German and Japanese as other International Languages.  As staffing movements allowed Chinese became the sole International Language at the school given the challenges faced by a school of 800 in staffing and attracting students to International Languages.  In 2007 formal partnerships were established with schools in China and the opportunity for school visits, staff exchanges and the recruitment of fee paying students developed from those relationships. Tena kotou katoa Da jia hao Greetings to you all

 In 2009 Chinese became compulsory for boys in Year 9 and optional for boys in Years 10 and beyond.  Also in 2007 I attended the opening of the Confucius Institute at Auckland University by the Prime Minister of the day The Right Honourable Helen Clarke.  In 2008 as Chinese grew in the school it became necessary for Rotorua Boys’ High School to advertise for a Full Time Teacher of Chinese.  In 2009 I had the opportunity to go to China with a group of fellow Principals courtesy of the Confucius Institute at Auckland University. This opportunity for Principals to travel to China and to visit different schools and cities within China is another indication of the wonderful support schools are receiving from the Confucius Institute and from China. A key point of difference to the teaching and learning of Chinese at Rotorua Boys’ High School is that it is based around providing an International Language opportunity for young New Zealanders rather than just meeting the needs of Chinese students in our school. This may not be the case for those schools teaching Chinese in major urban areas like Wellington or Auckland.

 In recent years a number of Senior Teachers have had the opportunity to undertake tours to China through the Confucius Institute Programmes with Rotorua Boys’ High School meeting the costs of airfares to and from China. All China based land costs are met by the Confucius Institute/Hanban. Our Chinese Teacher has also undertaken the opportunity to undertake further study and training in China almost every year, again through funding provided by the Confucius Institute or the New Zealand Ministry of Education.  In 2011 we received our first full time Mandarin Language Assistant (MLA) as we have done each year since. The MLA’s support our Full Time Chinese Teacher and the Confucius Institute funds their homestay/living costs plus provide them with a daily living allowance and a number of opportunities for professional learning.  In 2011 Rotorua Boys’ High School became one of the first Confucius Classrooms in New Zealand when it was set up firstly by the Confucius Institute at Auckland University but later, courtesy of decisions made at the Chinese Embassy in Wellington, through the newly established Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington. This relationship with Victoria University is a very positive relationship and continues strongly today.

 Given this background in the teaching and learning of Chinese at Rotorua Boys’ High School emphasis is placed on our performance in Chinese Language Competitions and our students perform well in Local, Regional and National Chinese Speaking Competitions, so much so that we have come runner up in the National Chinese Speech Competition for the last three years and this year Rotorua Boys’ High School students won each High School Category in the Local Chinese Speech Competitions.  Today Chinese is taught to some extent in most Primary, Intermediate and High Schools in Rotorua and in many schools in Tauranga, Opotiki, Whakatane and elsewhere in the Greater Bay of Plenty.  The development of Chinese has a good fit with the programmes offered at Rotorua Boys’ High School. There was no significant adverse reaction when French, German and Japanese were dropped from the curriculum (despite it being something of a unilateral decision) although from time to time I do get questions as to why not offer Spanish.  Today, the following numbers of students are taught Chinese through Rotorua Boys’ High School:  Year 9200  Year  Year  Year  Year at an out of Rotorua campus through a partnership with a PTE Total 325 (including out of campus students)

 Finally, as I have tried to capture through the points made this development has been greatly enhanced by the support of the Confucius Institute and Victoria University and indeed by the Hanban Organisation in China. Today our Chinese Department is impressively supported financially and through the training and travel opportunities mentioned to a level which is the envy of other departments. This level of funding could not be provided by the school without this external support. This support has been invaluable. Xie xie da Jia Chris Grinter Principal  I also feel that this decision has been supported by comments that Prime Minister Mr John Key has made over recent years and the strengthening nature of the relationship New Zealand has with China. It seems to me that the learning of Chinese is an excellent skill to develop in young New Zealanders.