Chinese (Mandarin) is taught as an optional subject from the Lower Shell (Year 10). The Edexcel GCSE Chinese (Mandarin) course aims to equip pupils with a solid foundational vocabulary and oral / aural proficiency. The structure of the examination is directly comparable to other modern languages in that a quarter of the marks are available for each of the four skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening.
About
Curriculum
Enrichment
Staff
After Westminster
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About
Chinese (Mandarin) is taught at Westminster from the Lower Shell as an optional subject. It is, of course, very different from the other languages on the curriculum: while straightforward in some respects, its structure and writing system offer a good intellectual and academic challenge. Pupils enjoy the sense of cultural discovery involved in learning Chinese. Pupils at Westminster embrace the subject with enthusiasm and success.
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Curriculum
Lower School
Syllabus & CodeEdexcel GCSE 1CN0 ChineseUpper School
In the Upper School we follow the Edexcel A Level specification. This is a challenging qualification, but a rewarding one. Linguistic proficiency is developed through the exploration of a range of contemporary themes, all anchored in the context of China itself, but also through the study of two Chinese literary texts (or, alternatively, one film and one book). In the Remove (Year 13), pupils complete an Independent Research Project, which they then present in full in the oral exam.
Syllabus & CodeEdexcel A Level 9CN0 ChineseEnrichment
Besides marking important Chinese cultural occasions here in School, we regularly accompany pupils on visits to the cinema, museums and galleries and to other cultural institutions, to enrich their learning in the classroom.
Staff
* denotes Head of Department
Ms Haitong Wang (HW)
† denotes Housemaster
After Westminster
Oriental studies degrees at top Universities, such as SOAS, Oxford and Cambridge, are highly valued and respected across the UK and indeed around the world. Oriental studies can also be combined with a European language, Theology, Classics and a range of other subjects. That said, many pupils of Chinese at Westminster go on to study a full range of other degrees, including STEM subjects, for which a fourth A Level in a Modern Language is held in great esteem.
"Learning Chinese is a real challenge, but I love it. The sense of accomplishment is what I like best."— Year 10 pupil