I also think it is an interesting point and I don't have any students who
only take two skills either.  My question is whether it is possible to reach
a reasonable (which needs defining) level in listening and speaking without
being able to recognise characters.  My preferred approach is that the
students start with all four skills, then maybe drop writing  later, then
maybe put more emphasis on listening and speaking at the next stage. 

Gao Fei

-----Original Message-----
From: Mandarin Chinese Teaching
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of mwood
Sent: 14 March 2011 21:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Edexcel two skills GCSE

Some interesting points here, Penny, thank you.    Another question it
raises in my mind is whether, if no characters are involved, the
speaking/listening version is easier than the reading/writing option, in
which case why are they given equal status?  

Just asking.  I have no particular axe to grind as my pupils are currently
preparing for the full course.

Mary

________________________________________
From: Mandarin Chinese Teaching [[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Penny Lynch [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 14 March 2011 19:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Edexcel two skills GCSE

Hi Mary,

The 2 skills is either speaking/listening or reading/writing. Meaning that
if pupils opt for speaking/listening, they can do the whole thing in pinyin
and learn virtually no characters. That makes it much more akin to studying
a European language.
However it also raises interesting questions of how to teach without
characters.
Speaking as someone who used Chinese in industry for many years, it offers
most private sector employers the skills which interest them the most. I was
rarely required to write anything in Chinese, and did not even need to read
it much for my jobs, but I spoke every day for 15 years.
We are considering offering speaking/listening to Y10's and maybe giving
them the chance to add the reading/writing part in 6th form if they want to
do it.

Kind regards
Penny

From: Mandarin Chinese Teaching
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of mwood
Sent: 14 March 2011 09:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Edexcel two skills GCSE

Am I right in thinking that  for the 2 skills GCSE pupils still have to
prepare all the topic areas?  This strikes me as half a GCSE for virtually
the same amount of ground covered as for the full GCSE.  The only
significant difference is not having to do controlled assessments in two
skills.    Not sitting a reading/listening paper is neither here nor there
really in the grand scheme of things.

Have I got this right?

Mary

From: Mandarin Chinese Teaching
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of L. Barrett
Sent: 14 March 2011 09:05
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Edexcel two skills GCSE


Dear Ruiyan:

Our school started Mandarin four years ago and we started from 3rd year
(year 9).  We have 3X40min lessons in 3rd Year and 4X40min lessons in 4th
year and 5th year.  Like you, I am on my own and it is very difficult for me
to get enough support from senior management team.  However, our last year
GCSE results were excellent.  I had eight boys, 6 achieved A* and 2 achieved
A.  Our school is an independent boy school.  I think my key is the class
size.  I run maximum of 10 students in one class.  Last year, I was very
nervous, as I didn't know whether students can get good results.  I just
would like to say that in my experience that three years learning Mandarin
up to GCSE level is achievable.  But you need to work very hard and plan
your lessons and homework wisely.



I am happy to discuss further with you on
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>



Best regards



Liming

________________________________
From: Mandarin Chinese Teaching [[log in to unmask]]
on behalf of Ruiyan [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 12 March 2011 19:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Edexcel two skills GCSE

I agree students need to start early (at least from year 8) and for 3-4
years for a full Chinese GCSE.. However allocating time for Chinese means
cutting back time on other subjects. It needs huge support from the senior
management. The small intake and short history of Chinese teaching comparing
to French and Spanish makes it a minority language in MFL. In my case I am
on my own and have no exam results (the current year 9 and 10 are the first
cohorts) to convince the head of MFL/ senior management to give more support
to Chinese teaching or to attract more students and parents to opt for
Chinese.  I constantly found myself fighting for teaching hours and
resources.

It would be good to hear successful stories or ideas to increase Chinese
teaching from all of you.

Ruiyan

From: Mandarin Chinese Teaching
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Penny Lynch
Sent: 11 March 2011 09:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Edexcel two skills GCSE

Hi Ruiyan

One of my concerns, like yours, is that students will not want to put all
the effort in for only half a GCSE.
My school has offered Mandarin for 2 years as an after school club, taking
the Asset Language exams.
Next year we will offer this GCSE to a consortium of schools from our county
(about 6 schools) and it will be on the timetable for the first time.
I am trying to get the school to agree to offer Mandarin courses to younger
G&T pupils (Y8 & 9) so hopefully we will be able to let them take the full
GCSE when they reach Y10.
It would also be great if we could offer it more generally to non-G&T
pupils, but of course, as ever, funding is the issue.

Please feel free to e-mail me directly if you would like to discuss the 2
skills course more in the future.

Penny Lynch
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

From: Mandarin Chinese Teaching
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ruiyan
Sent: 10 March 2011 16:12
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Edexcel two skills GCSE

Hi Penny

I am also teaching a 2 years GCSE short course (speaking and listening)to a
very small year 10 group. We have 6 hours over 2 weeks so about 3 hours per
week. We started from scratch. We used the Jinbu 1 to start with now just
started the Edexcel GCSE book.

Ruiyan
Avonbourne School

From: Mandarin Chinese Teaching
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Penny Lynch
Sent: 10 March 2011 09:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Edexcel two skills GCSE

I have been asked to offer the 2 skills GCSE (speaking and listening) to a
Y10 G&T group from September.
They will have had 20-30 hours Mandarin during Y9 and will have 2 hours
tuition per week for the 2 year course.
I would like to know

a)      Does this seem reasonable?

b)      Does anyone here have experience of offering the 2 skills course,
and which teaching materials did you use?

Thanks
Penny Lynch  (on behalf of)
Argoed High School
Bryn Y Baal
Flintshire
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