Welcome to St Paul's Girls' School — St Paul's Girls' School

Year 7

The foundations for learning Chinese (an introduction to China, the pronunciation system of Pinyin and the four tones, simple characters and radicals); the numbers 1–100; everyday greetings; Chinese names; how to introduce yourself and your family; dates; family members; classroom phrases. Grammar includes: personal pronouns and their plurals; question words. There’s regular practice in accurate and imaginative written and spoken communication. We use authentic audio-visual and IT materials as well as a textbook and workbook.

Year 8

This year, students will continue to expand their vocabulary and learn more sentence structures. The topics we cover are school and work, transport, seasons, colours and clothing, weather and holidays and hobbies. Grammar includes further measurements, time, duration, action in the past, comparisons, giving directions and conjunctions. Students will also get to know some important Chinese festivals and artists.

Year 9

For those who started Mandarin in year 7, extending understanding of Chinese language and culture and developing writing skills and oral fluency. Others have the opportunity to start Mandarin as their second modern language.

Year 10

The start of a two-year GCSE course. Topics include: media and culture; sport and leisure; travel and tourism; business, work and employment. Grammar includes conjunctions, stative verbs, coverbs and verb complements. There's an exchange visit to Beijing.