GCSE Mandarin students aged 14-16 years from Newstead Wood School for Girls in Orpington last month jetted off to China in order to deepen their studies of Chinese culture and language.

When pupils reach the end of Year Seven (the first academic year) at Newstead Wood, they have the opportunity in spare time to learn a supplementary language alongside the core curriculum. Latin, Japanese and Mandarin Chinese are on offer. At the age of 11, many pupils are excited to start learning multiple languages and take advantage of the range available to add to their portfolio of subjects to take up to GCSE.

One of the major selling points for pupils is that the languages department at Newstead Wood School runs annual trips for GCSE students studying modern foreign languages (Spanish, French and German) and biannual trips to China or Japan for students studying GCSE Mandarin or Japanese. Many of those students who opted for Mandarin Chinese (including this reporter) were lucky enough to take part in the biannual trip to China this October. Thirteen girls aged fourteen to sixteen years old, and two members of staff (including one Chinese national), flew from London Heathrow Airport on the Thursday afternoon, arriving in Beijing Airport bright and early the following morning. There was no hanging around, however, as they swiftly took a connecting flight to Xi’an, where they had a first full dinner on Chinese soil and recharged themselves for what proved an absorbing cultural experience.

The students were lucky enough to see cultural and historical aspects of Xi’an and beautiful landmarks, with highlights on the first full day including cycling on the ancient city walls of Xi’an and visiting the world famous Terracotta Warriors.  Later that evening, the pupils were able to visit the night market where they were able to put to use their Mandarin language skills, acquired over the previous two to three years, to bargain for traditional Chinese products.

The girls would subsequently have to use their language skills when they stayed with Chinese families of pupils from Newstead Woods’ partner school in Beijing - The Second Branch High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China. For those whose host family spoke little or no English, that was a formidable challenge! Undoubtedly, for all pupils, competence in Mandarin took a significant step up from the non-stop conversations on all subjects, from the mundane to the esoteric, and attending lessons in school on a range of subjects, from Maths to Music.

Another stand-out occasion for all was the dramatic climb along a stretch of the Great Wall on the final day, which more than met expectations - something to treasure.

Newstead student, Mayo Adeyemo, described the trip as being “one of the best experiences of my life which opened my eyes to the lifestyle differences between China and the U.K.”.  The trip not only developed language skills and cultural knowledge but it also developed the students independence.