Mandarin to be taught in SA schools

[LazyLion]

Johannesburg - “Ai Mama Wo Tongguò Jizhì,” translates to “Hey mom I passed matric”. If your child takes Mandarin as a school subject, they will be able to understand this.

The Department of Basic Education has approved the Chinese language as part of the school curriculum, offering pupils the opportunity of learning 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 option.

This is according to a government notice that was issued by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga on March 20.

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.

Plans for introducing Mandarin as a school subject first came to light last year when the department announced that a curriculum for the teaching of “Chinese” would be developed with the help of the Chinese government.

At the time, Motshekga’s spokeswoman, Troy Martens, was quoted in The Star’s sister newspaper, the Cape Argus, as saying: “(China is) South Africa’s biggest trading partner, it is important for our children to become proficient in (Chinese sage and philosopher) Confucius’s language and develop a good understanding of Chinese culture.”

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The Star
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/mandarin-to-be-taught-in-sa-schools-1.1838690

 

[longboy]

Was expecting this...

 

[GoneWithTheWindows]

Wish they taught Mandarin when I was in school...

 

[Rocket Raccoon]

“Ai Mama Wo Tongguò Jizhì,” translates to “Hey mom I passed matric”.

Mama is mom?

 

[Nick333]

Mama is mom?

A variation is in most languages.

 

[daveza]

Uhm, and just who is going to teach Mandarin across thirty thousand schools ?

 

[DA-LION-619]

Where will they get BEE approved teachers to teach this?

 

[Nerfherder]

Guys, colonialism isn't that bad.

Perhaps the great Chinese can organise a better puppet

 

[killerbyte]

Wish they taught Mandarin when I was in school...

Agreed. Since such a large % of the planet's population speak it.

 

[schumi]

Uhm, and just who is going to teach Mandarin across thirty thousand schools ?

It does not have to be taught at all schools,its been made a subject that can be taught an option for schools to use as another language option

 

[Johnatan56]

Uhm, and just who is going to teach Mandarin across thirty thousand schools ?

+1

There might be teachers provided by China due to it being a collaboration?

 

[dlk001]

But its a voluntary subject isn't? No sure I would want my kids learn it but good for those who wish their children to learn it.

 

[TJ99]

Guys, colonialism is only bad when white people do it.

Herro prease. To be fixing your incollect statement lao wai.

 

[Azbubu]

Why is Serbian an option?

 

[Mila]

wait... wait a minute.

This in a country where people can't pass their second language?
I guess this is to help kids that use mandarin as their first language at home.

 

[Mila]

Guys, colonialism isn't that bad.

Perhaps the great Chinese can organise a better puppet

+100
Maybe they can chop off Zuma's head for being corrupt?

 

[R13...]

"I for one welcome our Chinese overlords"

 

[Rocket Raccoon]

wait... wait a minute.

This in a country where people can't pass their second language?

Sum ting velly wong

 

[Heisenborg]

In the end we shall all bow down to our Chinese overlords!

 

[Mila]

Sum ting velly wong

Now we can add Engrish to our 11 languages.
I love you long long time.