As we move towards the end of the very difficult school session and academic year of 2021-22, we look ahead to a new session ahead with fewer restrictions on all of us and, we very much hope, refreshed opportunities for language learning, especially Chinese.

YOUTH VOICE IN SCEN

After successful Youth led events in Grove Academy (Dundee) and Boroughmuir High School (Edinburgh) we look forward to similar events in schools during session 2022-23. Talks are underway with a number of schools. If your school may be interested, or you would like to find out more, contact us at youthvoice@scen.info.

In particular, we are intending to host a major event involving students from a number of schools with the target date of November 2022. The event will showcase developments in learning about Chinese language and culture in schools across Scotland and will include finalists from a Mandarin reading competition. Details and venue are still to be confirmed. We intend to send out preliminary information at the start of the new school session. In the meantime, for update information please contact youthvoice@scen.info.

Also, next session we intend to bring together young people (focusing on S4 -S6) in an online network which can lead on youth work within SCEN. Face-to-face meetings are challenging, post-pandemic leave of absence will be difficult to obtain. However, we hope that in the coming session an online group will be set up using the increasingly accessible technology now available to us. If interested, please contact youthvoice@scen.info. If you are a school student who might be interested, please ensure you have endorsement from your Head teacher or appropriate senior promoted teacher in your school.

Schools, students, teachers… SCEN wants to hear from you!

SCEN AMBASSADORS

New arrangements mean that the SCEN Ambassador programme has now been simplified.

• PANDA Award – primary pupils and S1/S2 students – i.e., students beginning their learning of Chinese Language and Culture.

• TIGER Award – S3/4 students studying towards certification.

• DRAGON Award – secondary students in S5 / S6 and university students linking with CISS Alumni and the China Futures Society and/or associated with a SCEN event, possibly organised at school level.

For further information contact Rosemary and Colin Mitchell at youthvoice@scen.info.

THE FUTURE OF MANDARIN LEARNING AND TEACHING: BEYOND THE PANDEMIC

The Report and recommendations from last November’s SCEN conference event have been refined to identify the role of stakeholders in taking forward the agenda of Mandarin learning. The update is available on the SCEN website. We have already engaged informally with representatives of Scottish Government and in session 2022-23 will be seeking wider engagement.

There is some evidence of a reluctance of young people in secondary schools to continue their study of Mandarin towards certification. It is the task of all of us who recognise the importance of Chinese language to engage with school students to encourage them to discover the importance of engaging with Mandarin as a key language of the future. The emerging generation of young people throughout Scotland must be equipped to engage with China as that country’s importance continues to grow so rapidly on the world stage.

SCEN WEBSITE

The new SCEN website is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Mandarin learning and teaching in Scotland. Since its relaunch in August of last year, we have a renewed focus on highlighting and signposting the great work of our partner associations, regularly updating our Events listing so that the community can easily see the variety of meetings, events, and offerings for those studying or teaching Chinese to partake in. The website also hosts more information about our subnetworks, so you can learn more about our Advisory Council, Chinese Teaching Club, and Youth Voice and Ambassador Programme.

Our Teaching Zone offers articles relevant to those teaching Mandarin at a range of levels, as well as a password protected Resources Page (password requests should be sent to admin@scen.info). Our Learning Zone hosts a variety of articles written by students and informative pieces by teachers and experts. The main Opportunities page demonstrates to students the variety of career possibilities open to them through studying Mandarin, as well as notices for upcoming educational opportunities and competitions. There is also a career opportunities listing, for those looking for teaching positions, Confucius Institute related vacancies, or any other relevant job opportunities.

We are working to keep the SCEN website up-to-date with relevant information, so if you would like to promote any upcoming events, showcase the work of your school or university, or write for our Teaching or Learning Zone, please get in touch with Megan Hammell at admin@scen.info.

SCEN CHINESE TEACHING CLUB

The latest meeting was held on Friday 20 May. Again, the Club proves an invaluable forum for teachers of Mandarin to exchange experiences and discuss curricular and other matters. The May meeting saw the return of the original chair of the Club, Lynnette Martin (Aberdeen), who is beginning to return to teaching after a period of parental leave. Welcome back Lynnette!

For further information, and details of meetings in 2022-23 contact admin@scen.info.

“SO YOU WANT TO TEACH MANDARIN?” GTCS AND SCEN INFORMATION AND ADVICE

GTCS and SCEN have together developed illustrated information available for anyone interested in teaching Mandarin in Scotland. The information will be available soon both on the GTCS and SCEN websites. Our thanks to everyone at GTCS and SCEN who helped developed this important information resource.

SCEN APPRECIATION TO TWO LEADERS OF MANDARIN TEACHING IN SCOTLAND

At the end of this academic year, we learn that two of the leaders in Mandarin teaching in Scotland are stepping down.

Natascha Gentz has been the Director of the Confucius Institute for Scotland at the University of Edinburgh since 2006. Over the years, SCEN had a very close relationship with Natascha and her colleagues who have supported us in many events. In particular Natascha made available to us the Confucius Institute premises at Abden House in Edinburgh, which, up to the time of the covid pandemic, became the site of many face-to-face SCEN meetings. We wish good luck to Natascha, and hope that when a successor is appointed our good relationship with the Institute will continue to grow.

Nathan Woolley, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Glasgow has also stepped down due to family illness and is returning to an academic position in Australia. During his time in Scotland, Nathan has been a staunch supporter of SCEN as an active member of our Advisory Council and regular attender of and participant in SCEN events. We wish Nathan well with his continuing career in Chinese language and studies. We look forward to our continuing links with University of Glasgow and Nathan’s successor when appointed.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

SCEN Trustees Meeting: Thursday, 16 June 14:00 (Online & In Person)

SCEN Trustees Meeting & AGM: Thursday, 22 September 14:00 (Online & In Person)

For more upcoming meetings, and other events, check out our events page on the SCEN website.

Best wishes to you all,
Simon Macaulay
Chair
SCEN