Mandarin Chinese Confey College in association with National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Chinese: some food for thought….. China’s position in the world changing rapidly China to overtake USA as largest economy Companies worldwide keen to do business in China All indications are that these trends will continue

China & Ireland Relationship is developing rapidly Visit of Vice -President Xi in Feb 2012 Visit of Taoiseach to China in March 2012 Multiple announcements in relation to economic projects

Chinese: benefits for your child Being among the first students in Ireland to study world’s most spoken language Acquiring knowledge of ancient culture Acquiring ability to speak Mandarin Chinese Possibility of taking Chinese at Third Level Enhanced employment prospects

Chinese and Irish Education Importance of introducing Chinese into schools is recognised at government and official level Considerable barriers to achieving this Currently Chinese is not an examination subject for Junior or Leaving Cert Dept of Ed intends revamping Junior Cert and reducing number of exam subjects to 8 Minister has encouraged schools to begin this process immediately

Chinese and Irish Education National Council for Curriculum and Assessment are launched a Transition Year module last May NCCA plan to have a Mandarin Chinese module incorporated into the new Junior Cert for 2017. First school to offer Chinese was Loreto, Bray, in 2008. Loreto offers Chinese classes as an after- school activity. A number of schools now offer Chinese as an after-school subject or as a TY module

Chinese and NUI Maynooth Opened Confucius Classroom 2009 – affiliated to the Confucius Institute in UCC Supported by NUIM Language Centre Confey College teacher recruited in China and paid for by UCC Commitment to providing teacher for three years Assistance with sourcing textbooks and materials Assistance with administration of exams

Chinese in Confey College First school to offer Chinese as a Junior Cycle subject Programme co-ordinated by an Assistant Principal Students take Chinese as one of their two option subjects: Art, Business, Computers, Home Economics, Mandarin Chinese Metalwork, Music, Tech. Graphics, Woodwork Chinese will not be part of the Options Sampling in September Chinese will be studied in addition to French or German

Chinese in Confey College Students do graded, age-appropriate exams, Youth Chinese Tests Chinese is more challenging than a European language School is recommending that students considering Mandarin Chinese should have above average academic ability and application Initial agreement with NUIM is for three years so at this point we cannot give any undertaking in relation to the subject continuing beyond 2016

Chinese: terms & conditions We are asking for a commitment from students and parents to stay with the programme for the three years We are asking for applications to be returned to the admin office by Friday 15th March We are offering 24 places In the event of more that 24 students seeking a place we will assess the applications and may contact parents to discuss the application. If there is still over-subscription places will be allocated by means of a lottery

And finally….. In 2011 Chinese tourists outspent tourists from US in Brown Thomas. BT now looking for retail staff with knowledge of Mandarin PWC recently looking to recruit ‘Chinese aware’ staff