Mandarin Excellence Trip to China: Press Release
Gumley House FCJ students from Year 9 are going to travel to China for the biggest Mandarin Excellence Programme school trip ever.
Mandarin learners from Gumley House FCJ are joining a record-breaking number of students from across England for the most ambitious international school trip of its kind.
1,197 pupils and 157 teachers from 61 schools will jet off to China from July for an eleven-day tour of the country to improve their Mandarin-speaking skills and cultural awareness.
The trip is organised by the Mandarin Excellence Programme, a flagship initiative which has helped more than 11,000 young learners in England on the path to fluency since its launch eight years ago.
It is the first major trip to take place since the Covid-19 pandemic, following a pilot tour involving 132 students last year.
The Mandarin-learners will embark on the ten-day adventure in different travel groups from July. They will engage in an extensive cultural and language-learning programme, connecting with pupils in Chinese schools throughout the experience.
The trip will take students to cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xi’an, Chengdu, Kunming, Shenyang, Dalian, Hangzhou, Shenyang and Guangzhou.
The Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP) is delivered by IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) in partnership with the British Council and with the support of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC).
Speaking ahead of the trip Amelia Machulik from Year 9 said:
“It is my first time going to China and I am very excited to go as I have always admired the Chinese culture and language. I am very happy to be able to talk to new people and I am excited to meet all the students and teachers. I am so lucky to be able to have the opportunity to go on this trip and I am sure I will have an amazing time and experience with my class.”
Alria Botelho from Year 9 has also said:
“I am extremely excited to go to China because I hope to make new friends, eat lots of traditional Chinese food and visit historical landmarks. I am also curious to experience what it would be like to study in a Chinese university so I am happy to get the chance too. I am also very happy because I can try a variety of bubble tea. I love bubble tea! Mandarin is the most widely spoken language globally and is considered a highly valuable skill for young people in the UK to learn. According to British Council research, Mandarin ranks as the second most important foreign language for the UK's global influence."
Stephen Byrne (Headteacher at Gumley House School) said:
“We have been privileged to be part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme for many years and our students have been deeply encouraged by the opportunities and life experience it brings. Our school is enriched in the study of 5 different Languages and our students' success is reputed to be among the top 2% in the country. Studying Mandarin is important to us and we hope to develop our studies further in the years to come.”
Katharine Carruthers, the Mandarin Excellence Programme’s Strategic Director from the IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, said: “The Mandarin Excellence Programme study visit is a fabulous opportunity for students to experience China in person and advance their language skills. This is an unrivalled opportunity which rewards Year 9 MEP students who have been undertaking intensive Mandarin language study in school for the past 3 years, many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds. The students will benefit from an unforgettable experience as part of their journey to becoming the next generation of fluent Mandarin speakers in the UK.”
Tom Dearing, the British Council’s Head of UK Schools, said: “This year more students than ever before will have an unparalleled opportunity to visit China and immerse themselves in this vibrant and dynamic culture, practising their Mandarin skills as well as their intercultural skills. This unique experience will stay with them for life and will motivate them to continue their studies, as well as building lasting friendships between people in the UK and China.”
By Year 9 Students:
Rihanna Sriskantharahjah, Alayna Choudhery, Emmalyn Estanislao