Hartland International School Introduces Mandarin Courses

Hartland International School has today announced a new strategic partnership with the Chinese Language Institute, Dubai (CLI, DUBAI) to offer additional Mandarin courses at the school. The aim is to boost multilingual language studies for its students and develop their abilities to excel in the future in a competitive job market.

More than 200,000 Chinese are now working, studying and doing business in the UAE, according to the Chinese Ambassador to the UAE. Chinese tourists continue to soar with an increase of 25 percent year-on-year witnessed since 2014, according to the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing. In Dubai this figure stands at, 344,329 and is expected to double by 2023 whilst Abu Dhabi is

expected to receive more than 177,000 Chinese visitors by 2023, a staggering increase of 300 percent compared to 2013*.

“With the number of Chinese visitors to the UAE continuing to grow and prominent economic partnerships and ties between the two countries, the learning of Chinese is something that many families have shown great interest in” said Fiona Cottam, Principal of Hartland International School. “To further develop the relationship between our communities, there is an increasing need for multi-linguists who can communicate effectively in diverse regions. The teaching of Chinese, coupled with the improved teaching of Arabic in our schools, will naturally further strengthen

relationships between the Chinese and UAE governments.”

Following two successful years offering Mandarin Chinese language lessons to its students as a second language course in their yearly curriculum, CLI Dubai will now provide two levels as part of the enhanced programme. The introduction of Chinese as a mother tongue follows increasing demand, or the option to learn it as a second language will propel the schools current curriculum offering. A framework is also being developed for the more advanced Chinese students to include maths in their native Mandarin to support the requirements of those students returning to China.

“At a time when business relations with China are more important than ever in the UAE, we are delighted to expand our relationship with the Chinese Language Institute, Dubai to offer more Chinese language options – not only to students at our school but to those eager to learn from across the UAE,” added Mrs Cottam.

CLI Dubai provides students, government departments and corporate organisations with the opportunity to learn and retain Mandarin skills through tailored courses designed to suit all abilities, as well as introduce the Chinese culture and history. Lucy Chuang, head and founder of Chinese Language Institute, Dubai said: “With almost 1.2 billion native speakers, Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world. We have witnessed a steady growth of the Chinese community in the UAE over the past 10 years and we are passionate about enlightening the wider public about China's culture to bring people closer together and provide greater opportunities for collaboration across the two countries. We are excited to increase our offering at Hartland International School and welcome those who are keen to expand their minds.”

As part of the agreement, CLI Dubai will also plan to provide 300 Chinese books in association with Shandong Publishing Group, China to add to the library at the school for students advancement. A cultural enrichment initiative will also see students partake in an exchange program with schools in China for its students to practice their skills as well as hosting Chinese students from China to experience the diversified culture in the UAE.

Mrs Cottam continued: “This added language skill set will help to strengthen the future of Chinese business and trade relations in the UAE that can only help to grow the country’s economy. For our students we hope that this added opportunity to learn a new language will equip them with the skills to continue their further study in Chinese and potentially pursue a career that links our countries, economically and socially as well as through government and employment opportunities.”

For more information, please contact Hartland International School on: +971 (0)4 407 9444.