Well done to all the dances and speakers from room 25, you did a great job today.
Meadowbank School opens Confucius classroom
Rose Cawley / Fairfax NZ
Vanessa Evans, Hazel Bornea and Emily Priday belong to the Meadowbank Chinese dance group.
Mandarin rolls off the tongues of pupils at Meadowbank School.
Principal Peter Ayson says almost 600 students at the school learn the Chinese language. A parent survey in 2011 highlighted the demand for it.
The school is now looking to officially open its Confucius classroom on June 16, he says.
"This year we had a speech contest for non-native speakers - it just shows how far we have come."
The focus is now on establishing and strengthening links between schools.
"It is about ensuring there is the opportunity for them to develop their language skills when they move from one school to the next."
Ayson says all of this work has been done out of the school's budget or with the help of the Confucius Institute, a Chinese Government funded language school.
"We don't get any funding from the government. We saw a need and made it happen," Ayson says.
Mandarin teacher Amy Ko was a classroom teacher before she moved to the school and started focusing on her mother tongue.
She says its vital children pick the language up in year 2.
"They aren't afraid of making mistakes," she says.
"I always say the most important thing in my classroom is that you give it a go, even if it is wrong as long as you are trying to use the language I am happy."
Those who have been under Ko's wing for four years are making gains.
"I want the students to use the language outside of the classroom," she says.
"We do very practical lessons so when the children go to a Chinese restaurant or supermarket they can use what they've learnt.
"It really broadens their horizons."
You can find the story using this link
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/69382693/meadowbank-school-opens-confucius-classroom
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