The worldwide craze for Mandarin classes (“the language of tomorrow”) is hitting the U.K., according to this Independent report:
Sir Cyril Taylor, chairman of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, said it should be seen as the key language for future generations to learn – replacing European languages.
The trust, which represents 90 per cent of England’s 2,950 state secondary schools, has clinched a deal with the Chinese government, which will send 200 teachers a year over to the UK to teach Mandarin in schools. Pupil exchanges are also being arranged, Sir Cyril revealed at a meeting of the Commons Select Committee on Education yesterday. [Full text]
