Learning Chinese is important for our economy

1.37.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 7th Feb 2008

Today on Chinese New Year local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson welcomed National Qualifications Board AQA's announcement that it will provide a GCSE in Mandarin. This comes just months after the South West MEP launched his own mandarin language teaching initiative 'Broadening Horizons', which has been piloted in five South West Schools and which he hopes to expand this year.

Graham Watson said,

"I welcome the AQA's announcement allowing people to gain a nationally recognised qualification in this important language. Mandarin is spoken globally by over one billion people. With increased global trade, our ability to communicate with people in new and developing markets is important. Vital language ability can give our young people key skills in the global market place."

"My 'Broadening Horizons' Scheme aims to encourage young people to learn more about Chinese language and culture. I am aware of the financial constraints schools face in language teaching, and that is why I have negotiated with the Taiwanese Government the scheme which brings trained Taiwanese teachers to my constituency for very little cost to participating schools."

The Broadening Horizons scheme was initiated by Mr Watson following a visit to Taiwan in 2006. The scheme has been piloted over the 2007-2008 school year, and the region's schools participating are Hayle Community School in Cornwall, Sir John Colfox School in Bridport, Pilton Community College in Barnstaple, Huish Episcopi College in Langport and the Sir Bernard Lovell School in South Gloucestershire. It is hoped this year more schools will participate in the scheme and Mr Watson is currently looking for commercial sponsorship to help funding.

Last Month the Government announced it wanted to increase trade with China by over £10 Billion within two years. Mandarin is the principle dialect in the Peoples Republic of China, the official language of Taiwan, and one of four official languages in Singapore.