Mandarin or Latin?
In an ever-evolving global landscape, the choices we make in education profoundly shape our children’s futures. While classical languages resonate with history, our gaze at the Dixie Grammar School is firmly fixed on the horizon. This is why we moved from the teaching of Latin, to include the study of Mandarin Chinese as a truly progressive choice for your child. We are the only school in the wider area to offer Mandarin in the curriculum from Year 5 to Sixth Form and have done so for many years.
Mandarin is not merely a language; it is a gateway to a global superpower, a key to understanding a culture of immense historical depth and contemporary dynamism. In a world increasingly interconnected with China’s economy, innovation, and influence, fluency in Mandarin offers unparalleled opportunities in fields ranging from business and technology to international relations and the arts.
The study of Mandarin is an investment in your child’s future relevance. It fosters cognitive agility, enhances problem-solving skills, and cultivates a global mindset essential for navigating the complexities of the 21st century. While Latin offers insights into the roots of Western languages, Mandarin equips our students with a practical, powerful tool for engaging with the world as it is and as it will be.
I am delighted to lead a Modern Languages Department which provides all students teaching in three distinct languages: the Romance character of French stands apart from the logic and grammar of German and Mandarin script appeals in a completely different way. Seeing Year 7 pupils’ books full of Mandarin Hanzi and pupils of all ages exchange a few words with our remarkable Mandarin assistants in the corridors still inspires awe and wonder. What is more, I still remember the incredible impact of our Head Boy conversing fluently in Mandarin with the Chinese delegates who came to award the school its Confucius Classroom status over a decade ago.
At Dixie Grammar, we look forward, not back; we are progressive and are committed to providing an education that is not only rigorous but also relevant. By embracing Mandarin, we are not turning our backs on the past, but rather equipping our students with the linguistic and cultural fluency to confidently stride into a future brimming with possibilities.
