Dear All
 
My school corrently is  proposing to indroduce the restructure of MFL in 2014 which gives a great value to Mandairn. In the propsal, students  can choose to learn Mandarin from year 8. However, at present time only both French and German are taught from this year group.
 
The proposal is at the consultaion stage and it is certainly objected by French and German teachers because with no doubt, if this is going to happen, Madarin will take some lesson periods from these two subjects. Their criticise about Mandarin is that it is too hard for English students to learn hence it should only be offered for able students from Year 9. I have to say this is pure and utter NONSENSE.  
 
Next tuesday, there will be a MFL discussion meeting before a final decision is to be made. Being a Mandarin teacher I feel I need to fight my conor in that meeting.
 
I will be really grateful it you can drop a few lines about your possitive views based on your experience about the dificulites of learning Mandarin in your school. 
 
Thanks for your support
 
Ting