Global first for Lincolnshire college 29.12.07
The first official centre for Mandarin and Chinese culture attached to a school could be built in North Lincolnshire. North Lincolnshire Council is applying to the Chinese government to host the pilot, which has been heralded 'a global first'.
David Lea, head of education at the council, will be writing to the Chinese Embassy in London to make the request.
He said it was important for the region's young people to learn Chinese.
"Everybody knows China is becoming a massive economy in the world," he said. "And for young people in North Lincolnshire it is important for them to learn and understand about the culture.
"Many of the youngsters are learning the language and even writing to penpals in China, which is good, not only for our children but for children in China."
If the bid is successful, the centre would be based at the new Melior Community College, a secondary school on the former Thomas Sumpter and South Leys sites on Chandos Road and Enderby Road.
Melior headteacher Angela Briggs said she hoped the centre would support trade links with Dalian and North Lincolnshire to help regenerate the region.
Almost half North Lincolnshire schools are linked to a school in Dalian, a city in north-east China.
In 2006, 13 teachers from Dalian were given tuition in North Lincolnshire - next year this figure is expected to double. Chinese language assistants also work in schools teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture.
Source: Scunthorpe Telegraph
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