Have you considered learning Mandarin?
❝One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.❞ - Frank Smith
How many languages can you speak? Would you consider learning Mandarin? Or maybe you know children who come from a Mandarin speaking background?
If you are interested, then get in touch with the Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle.
The Confucius Institute is a non-profit organisation and a leading provider of high quality Chinese literacy and cultural exchange programs in the Hunter, the Central Coast and regional New South Wales. The Confucius Institute also holds the annual Newcastle China Week Festival which is one of the largest community events in the region. Working with local businesses, government, educational and community partners, the Confucius Institute is dedicated to strengthening exchange and cooperation between China and our region.
The Confucius Institute offers a range of courses suitable for diverse age groups at the University’s Callaghan and Central Coast Campuses.
Children from 5 - 12 can attend courses designed to develop their speaking and listening skills, in a fun and interactive environment. Levels are offered from Beginner to Intermediate, and there is a course specially designed for children with a Mandarin speaking background.
If you are 13 years and over, you can opt for the Spoken Chinese or Comprehensive Chinese courses, which focus on competence in speaking and listening, as well as reading in a comprehensive way.
For Primary or Secondary students who are wishing to learn but aren’t in the immediate Newcastle area - you don’t have to travel anywhere! There is an internet-based distance real-time course for you. Fully interactive, the course is a video conferencing model delivered to schools based on the New South Wales Chinese K-10 Syllabus.
And, if you happen to work at the University, the Chinese Novice course is free for staff. All you have to pay for is the textbook!
