City youngsters learn the future's language

THE undulating, rhythmic sound of children's voices belting out unfamiliar words and a distinctly oriental tune resonates through the classrooms and down the corridors of an otherwise deserted secondary school.

It is Saturday, and most of the rooms at Drummond Community High School are closed for the weekend. But nearly 200 students – mostly Chinese, but a surprising number of them native Scots – are there to learn one of the trickiest yet most widely spoken languages in the world.

For while the Edinburgh Chinese School has traditionally been a seat of learning for the children of Chinese families in the city, now it is just as likely to be Scottish children taking part in the classes, getting to grips with the complex tones and structure of Mandarin and Cantonese.

"In the past five years there has been a rising number of Scottish people coming to the school," confirms Edinburgh Chinese School headteacher, Kathy Miller.

"Most of them are simply interested in China and its culture. However, there are also many who want to study the languages for business purposes, and there are a number of parents who are very keen for their children to learn the language, because they are aware that China's future is blooming."

Alongside the children of Chinese families brushing up on their native language at the school – there are even native Polish children there learning a third language – sits nine-year-old native Edinburgh girl Miriam Brown, now in her third year studying Mandarin.

"Miriam started going just before her seventh birthday," explains her father, Stuart, 59. "She heard about the school from a friend and it was really her idea to go."

He believes the school is an ideal opportunity for Scots youngsters to gain a vital foothold in the languages of a country currently undergoing a huge economic and social revolution.

Later this year, global focus will turn east when the country hosts the Olympic Games, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown remarked on the "huge opportunity" it offers British businesses during his recent trip there.

There's interest in the country closer to home, too. Within weeks, details of a major Scotland-wide programme of events, China Now in Scotland, will be launched, heralding the largest celebration of Chinese culture ever seen in Scotland.

It is being co-ordinated by the Confucius Institute for Scotland, launched last March at Edinburgh University to forge stronger links for the future between Scotland and China.

Stuart believes learning Mandarin at such a young age will gives Miriam a major advantage over her peers.

"By the time children reach secondary school, it's often too late for them to start learning a new language," he explains.

"Besides, the state of languages teaching in this country isn't particularly great and only a few schools – the private ones, mostly – are geared up to offer children classes like these."

He has been so impressed with Miriam's progress that he too has enrolled at the school. Next year the Brown family plan to put their language skills to the test on a four week self-organised tour of China's ancient capitals.

"It's all much easier for Miriam than it is for me, though," he adds with a grin.

Launched in 1971 from a private house in the city and aimed mostly at providing language skills for children of Chinese families, the school moved to Drummond High in Bellevue Place more than 15 years ago.

A non-political, non-religious, non-profit making organisation, it receives a subsidy from Edinburgh City Council.

Lessons cost from around just 40 a year, and pupils can study up to GSCE and A-Level standard. The language classes run each Saturday during school term, along with a range of other activities, such as Chinese dance and traditional Chinese chess.

Caroline Inwood, 49, of Ratho, has been sending her daughter Morgan, seven, to the Chinese school since she was four.

She says: "There are going to be more links opening up with China. Having the language will be such an advantage."

But it's not all work though. "They play a lot of games in class, and learn a lot about Chinese culture and traditions," says Caroline.

"There's plenty of support from the teachers and also from the Chinese community, who seem quite intrigued as to why this little Scottish girl wants to learn their language and who really like to help."

At present, pupils are focusing on the biggest event in the Chinese calendar – celebrations begin tomorrow with the school's New Year show at the Festival Theatre, and continues beyond Thursday, which is the official date for Chinese New Year and the start of the Year of the Rat.

"There is a thriving Chinese community in Edinburgh," adds Kathy. "And we are pleased if people want to celebrate with us, learn our languages and find out more about our culture."

For more information go to www.edinchineseschool.ik.org. Tickets for the school's New Year performance tomorrow at the Festival Theatre cost 5.