WIREDGOV

A Chinese language and culture visit by a group Scottish pupils will take place this summer, while a further two Confucius Classroom Hubs are set to open.

By the end of March, two new Confucius Classroom Hubs, at Queen Anne High School in Fife and St Ninian's High School in East Renfrewshire, will open. This will bring the total to ten hubs across the country - involving 15 local authorities - offering a central learning point for schools and communities about China.

Following on from a successful initial visit by 51 pupils to China last year, up to 60 pupils - six from each hub - will participate in a three week course this July. The study visit is being organised through Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) in partnership with the British Council and the Chinese authorities.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said:

"Giving our young people a strong understanding of Scotland's position in the wider world is essential to our new approach under Curriculum for Excellence, which is why we are increasing international education in our schools.

"The importance of China on the global stage is growing and it's important that young Scots understand more about China, its language, history and culture. What better way than to give pupils the chance of first-hand experience through a life changing visit to China? These young people will come back enthused for learning, ready to share with others their new experiences.

"A recent report by HMIE found that schools across Scotland are excelling in their delivery of international education. I'm pleased to announce that next month a further two new hubs will open, which will mean over 60 per cent of pupils in Scotland can access fantastic opportunities for Chinese learning."

Margo McHugh, a teacher from St Ninian's High, took part in the study visit to China last year. Reflecting on the benefits for the pupils involved, she said:

"On returning to Scotland the pupils have delivered presentations to their peers and to local primary schools. They also gave an excellent presentation to pupils and teachers from across the country at the Scottish Learning Festival last September and are at the forefront of the work of the East Dunbartonshire Confucius Classroom Hub.

"The pupils thrived on the feeling of independence which grew throughout the three weeks in Beijing - one of the pupils had never been away from home before and her self confidence has increased as a result of the experience."

Professor Kay Livingston, Director of International, Research and Innovation at LTS, said:

"For young Scottish learners to be successful they will need to face the challenges of globalisation and embrace the opportunities it offers. Developing global citizenship within Curriculum for Excellence ensures these skills are embedded in learning throughout their education.

"China is a strong economic force and demand for fluent speakers of Chinese languages and an understanding of Chinese culture is increasing throughout the world. It's only right that children in Scotland have the opportunity to learn these skills and widen their horizons for the future."

Paul Docherty, Director of British Council Scotland, added:

"These young Scots will be able to see for themselves why the 21st century has been called 'the Chinese century'. We hope they will inspire their friends back home to explore other cultures too. This visit shows how cultural relations can help develop our understanding of the world we all share."

The Scottish Government will make a substantial contribution to the travel costs via LTS for the pupils and teachers taking part. The Hanban in China - the Office of Chinese Language Council International - will cover all in-country costs. Each pupil involved will be partnered with a Chinese host family and undergo intensive Mandarin language tuition, as well as a range of cultural activities and travel within China.

With the addition of the two new hubs, Scotland's ten Confucius Classroom Hubs are:

• Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray & Angus - Hazlehead Academy, Aberdeen
• East Dunbartonshire - St. Ninian's High School, Kirkintilloch
• East, North & South Ayrshire - Grange Academy, Kilmarnock
• East Renfrewshire - St Ninian's High School, Giffnock
• Edinburgh - St George's School for Girls
• Fife - Queen Anne High School, Dunfermline
• Glasgow - Hillhead High School
• North Lanarkshire - Our Lady's High School, Cumbernauld
• Perth & Kinross - Perth High School
• West Lothian - Bathgate Academy

The HMIE Learning Together: International Education report, published on February 4, praised Scottish schools for a wide range of work to embed international education within the curriculum.