Members of the SCEN Network involved with the work of schools will be looking forward to a richly deserved short break this month. We hear of much positive work in schools and in higher education associated with Mandarin learning. But these remain challenging times for all in education, impacting on most areas of the curriculum, with Modern Languages, including Mandarin, facing particular pressures.

A special welcome to the newly qualified teachers of Mandarin now starting work in schools. Please join the SCEN network and take advantage of the opportunity to be involved in an engaging Network (for example through the Chinese Teaching Club) with professional colleagues across Scotland.

In this Update, we report on recent SCEN events, and look forward to others throughout the current session.

Never has it been more important that young people across Scotland should have the opportunity to learn at least something of Chinese language and culture. As China grows in importance, economically, culturally, and politically, the current generation of young Scots must not be left behind in engaging with the people of China, especially her young people.

 SCEN YOUTH CONFERENCE AT KINROSS HIGH SCHOOL: 23 SEPTEMBER

A very successful event, the latest SCEN Youth Conference was held in Kinross High School, a Confucius Hub School, on 23 September. Much of the organisation of the event was by young people in the school, supported by Head Teacher Mrs Brown and Principal Teacher of Modern Languages Mr Struth. Kinross students were able to demonstrate their prowess in Mandarin language learning, as well as developing cultural knowledge, such as playing the erhu and organising a tea ceremony. In addition to performers from the school, Kinross students also welcomed students from Kinross Primary school, and other Hub schools: Grove Academy and Lasswade High School.

The event was supported by Chinese Consulate in Edinburgh, through the presence of Consul Mr Yang Xin and Perth and Kinross Deputy Lord Provost Mr Andy Chan. Also supporting and participating at the event were representatives of the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS), CISS Alumni, and Dollar Academy.

Read more and see more images from the event HERE.

YOUTH VOICE: NEXT STEPS

It had been hoped to host a National Youth Conference in November of this year. However, we have not been able to identify a date which would have maximised school attendance during that month. We are looking now to select a date early in 2023 and confirm a suitable venue. The Youth Summit will include the final of a Mandarin language reading competition. Watch this space!

We are also intending, in the Spring of 2023, to host a Youth Conference in the north of Scotland, in an area where travel to central areas of Scotland for a day’s event is problematic. We hope to have news of this soon.

We are also planning to bring together young people (focusing on S4 – S6) in a (primarily) online network which can lead to youth work and engagement with SCEN. We are talking to schools and to the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) about how such a youth network can work effectively, and safely. We hope to have more information soon on this. We believe this project will mean an increased engagement with and among young people across Scotland interested in learning Chinese and about China.

SCEN LECTURE 2022

Speaker: Martin McDermott, representative of Scottish Government at the British Embassy, Beijing 2017 – 2022.
Date: Thursday 1 December, 6 pm – 8:30pm
Location: Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22 George Street, Edinburgh

Lecture at 6pm (with teas and coffees)
Networking and Refreshments from 7:30pm

Martin will share with us his experience of working at the front line in the British Embassy through five tumultuous years. As well as hearing about Martin’s work in China, there will also be an opportunity to question him about how Scotland can work with China in challenging times.

The talk will be followed by a social event in RSE, for the first time in three years people associated with SCEN, who are interested in or are involved with China, or with language learning will be able to engage face to face. School and university students are particularly welcome to attend this event.

Tickets are free and can be booked through Eventbrite. Please book now to guarantee a place at this important SCEN event. If you have any questions please contact admin@scen.info.

RESEARCH PROJECT ON THE TEACHING OF MANDARIN ACROSS SCOTLAND

SCEN, along with CISS, is working with Professor Antonella Sorace of Bilingualism Matters towards a major research project on the learning of Mandarin across Scotland. The project will identify where and how Mandarin is being taught, and the added value to learners of embarking on the learning of Mandarin. We are intending to embark on this project early in 2023. Antonella is a good friend of SCEN (and member of our Advisory Council). Bilingualism Matters is now an independent social enterprise with branches across the world. We hope to have more information soon on this. We hope that this project will act as a springboard to further development of Mandarin learning and teaching, especially in those schools and areas of Scotland where Mandarin is not currently being taught.

SCEN CHINESE TEACHING CLUB

The next scheduled meeting of the Club is Friday, 11 November at 3:30pm. Please note this is a change from the originally planned date in October. Welcome back to Lynnette Doherty, teacher of Mandarin at Oldmachar Academy in Aberdeen who will chair the meeting. Our many thanks to Jean Wang, teacher in Glasgow who ably chaired the Club during Lynnette’s period of parental leave.

NEW TRUSTEE OF SCEN:
JULIET PRESLY, DEPUTE HEAD TEACHER, BOROUGHMUIR HIGH SCHOOL

Welcome to Juliet, our new Trustee. As Depute Head at Boroughmuir, Juliet is responsible for learning and teaching, professional learning and transition into S1. Her responsibilities include the link for the Modern Languages faculty in the school – including the learning of Mandarin.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

SCEN Advisory Council: Friday, 28 October at 2pm Online

Chinese Teaching Club: Friday, 11 November at 3:30pm Online

SCEN Trustees Meeting: Thursday, 17 November at 2 pm, Hybrid

Best wishes to you all,
Simon Macaulay
Chair
SCEN