West Lothian pupils link up with China

Dec 31 2008 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

STUDENTS at a West Lothian school are among the first to join in a state-of-the-art link with China.

Bathgate Academy pupils are joining the Confucius Classrooms scheme, local hubs which stimulate and support innovative teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture.

They have been set up with support from Hanban (the Chinese equivalent of the British Council) to promote understanding of Chinese language and culture.

The aim is that every school in Scotland will have the opportunity to access these classrooms and their valuable resources.

And Bathgate Academy was chosen by The Scottish Government as one of eight ‘hubs’ throughout the country which will be equipped with learning resources about China and which will actively attract other schools to become involved.

Examples of activities include teaching Chinese; implementing Chinese language and culture courses for the local community and supporting Chinese cultural activities and competitions.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, will join an official opening ceremony at Bathgate Academy on January 30.

To mark the occasion, 30 Chinese youngsters from Guangwen Middle School in the Weifang district, will visit the school and experience life in Scotland.

The visitors attend a school twinned with Bathgate Academy and will stay in a Scottish home for a few days, then move into the Lowport Centre in Linlithgow.

Executive councillor for Education, Andrew Miller, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to learn more about the fascinating Chinese culture and the fastest growing economy in the world.

“We are delighted that a school in West Lothian has been chosen to host one of the ‘hubs’.

“Bathgate Academy and West Lothian Council, in partnership with learning, teaching, Scotland, will plan the classrooms and teachers will use the classrooms to set up events to promote Chinese language and culture and forge links with Chinese communities in the area.”