Mandarin is becoming ever more popular as a Modern Foreign Language option, particularly for learners with an interest in business careers or global politics, history and culture. For such students, there are plenty of great opportunities to become strong Mandarin speakers in the classroom, while school trips are the perfect way to consolidate and enhance that learning.
Visiting China allows students to immerse themselves in their chosen MFL and to see how that language is used in everyday social contexts - as well as letting them experience Chinese culture first-hand. Here are just a few of the potential highlights of MFL school trips to Beijing, the capital city of this fascinating country.
Legendary attractions
China's historic highlights fascinating to explore. School trips enable students to see these wonders for themselves while perhaps discussing their significance in Mandarin - which also provides good cross-curriculum links for history students. While in Beijing, your group can visit the Forbidden City, China's imperial seat of power dating from the days of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Exploring the grounds, buildings and chambers of this astonishing palace complex is a good opportunity to practice architecture and building-related vocabulary. China's star attraction, of course, is the Great Wall. An easy trip out of Beijing, the Wall is a testament to China's ancient prowess and an unforgettable site to visit - and a fascinating subject to design language lessons around.
Tomorrow's world
One factor in Mandarin's increasing global popularity is its relevance in world economics and industry. MFL school trips are ideally placed to make the most of opportunities to consolidate industry and business-related language, whilst witnessing modern Chinese business and production in action. A visit to one of Beijing's factories or company buildings can provide just that.
Art and culture
Beijing is also a great cultural city, and your group can visit the National Museum of Art, attend an opera or acrobatics show at one of the city's theatres, or explore preserved homes of important writers like Lu Xun. All of these offer excellent opportunities for vocabulary expansion and discovery of Chinese culture to those on school trips.
Great shopping and food
China boasts a wealth of cuisines, from Mongolian to Cantonese, and the capital is a great place to sample them all. Dining out can double as a language lesson as students practise their restaurant vocabulary - and if they ask for a Chinese menu they can practise their reading skills too. Students will also appreciate the chance to shop on vibrant Wangfujing Street, where they can visit Western-style malls alongside more traditional Chinese shops, and talk to shopkeepers in Chinese. With so many friendly faces and fun ways to spend time, learners are sure to come away with a deepened enthusiasm for, and appreciation of, Chinese language and culture.
Visiting China allows students to immerse themselves in their chosen MFL and to see how that language is used in everyday social contexts - as well as letting them experience Chinese culture first-hand. Here are just a few of the potential highlights of MFL school trips to Beijing, the capital city of this fascinating country.
Legendary attractions
China's historic highlights fascinating to explore. School trips enable students to see these wonders for themselves while perhaps discussing their significance in Mandarin - which also provides good cross-curriculum links for history students. While in Beijing, your group can visit the Forbidden City, China's imperial seat of power dating from the days of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Exploring the grounds, buildings and chambers of this astonishing palace complex is a good opportunity to practice architecture and building-related vocabulary. China's star attraction, of course, is the Great Wall. An easy trip out of Beijing, the Wall is a testament to China's ancient prowess and an unforgettable site to visit - and a fascinating subject to design language lessons around.
Tomorrow's world
One factor in Mandarin's increasing global popularity is its relevance in world economics and industry. MFL school trips are ideally placed to make the most of opportunities to consolidate industry and business-related language, whilst witnessing modern Chinese business and production in action. A visit to one of Beijing's factories or company buildings can provide just that.
Art and culture
Beijing is also a great cultural city, and your group can visit the National Museum of Art, attend an opera or acrobatics show at one of the city's theatres, or explore preserved homes of important writers like Lu Xun. All of these offer excellent opportunities for vocabulary expansion and discovery of Chinese culture to those on school trips.
Great shopping and food
China boasts a wealth of cuisines, from Mongolian to Cantonese, and the capital is a great place to sample them all. Dining out can double as a language lesson as students practise their restaurant vocabulary - and if they ask for a Chinese menu they can practise their reading skills too. Students will also appreciate the chance to shop on vibrant Wangfujing Street, where they can visit Western-style malls alongside more traditional Chinese shops, and talk to shopkeepers in Chinese. With so many friendly faces and fun ways to spend time, learners are sure to come away with a deepened enthusiasm for, and appreciation of, Chinese language and culture.
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