THE Department of Basic Education has approved the Chinese language as part of the school curriculum, offering pupils the opportunity to learn it as an official school subject.
From January next year, pupils in Grades 4 to 12 will have the option of taking Mandarin as a second language. This is according to a government notice that was issued by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, in March.
Mandarin has been added to the curriculum as a subject choice for pupils in Grades 4 to 9 as a non-official language. Other language choices in the same category include German, Serbian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil, Telegu and Urdu.
Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson for the department, said Mandarin as a language in school is optional and unofficial and those who wish to offer it will do so. It’s not compulsory.”
Mhlanga said they have asked schools to indicate whether they are interested.
Westville Boy’s High School has been offering the language as a compulsory subject for Grade 8 learners, and then optional in Grades 9 to 12.
Alan Miller, Deputy Principal of Westville Boy’s High School, said, “This doesn’t come as a shock to us, our learners have had the opportunity to learn the language for about five years now.”
Mhlanga said Mandarin joins 15 or more other languages that are already offered in schools in the same category and these include Greek, Portuguese, French, Urdu, Latin, German and others.
South African teachers are currently being trained in China for Mandarin pedagogy, Mhlanga added. “The Chinese government will provide support as far as teacher training as concerned.
“For many teachers this is exciting, and it is indeed an opportunity to expand their knowledge and learn new things. The opposition is contradicted by the huge interest shown by teachers, who are quick to respond to opportunities to learn and teach Mandarin.
“There is demand from parents to teach their children the language; after all, Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world,” Mhlanga added.
Miller said there have had learners who went to Chinese universities, probably as a result of the language having been studied at the school.
“We offer it because we have seen that it can open doors for our boys,” said Miller.
