Pupils to meet Chinese pen pals

CHINA: A group of nine Oropi School pupils will be putting their Mandarin lessons to good use in China.PHOTO/JOHN BORREN

Meeting their Chinese pen pals is just one of the highlights of a trip to China for nine Oropi School pupils.

The whole school has been involved in a beginners' Mandarin language programme through the Chinese Community School for two years as part of their Asia Awareness programme.

The children learn basic words and phrases through the classes, as well as a bit of information about Chinese culture such as their festivals.

The group of children going to China are part of the Mandarin extension group who have learned more of the language and are able to carry out basic dialogue.

Principal Andrew King said it was important to raise the profile of the importance of the Asia region and what it means for New Zealand, and getting excited about that. Asia would be important to New Zealand in future and today's children needed a good understanding of the culture for their own benefit.

The group of nine students and nine adults will fly out of New Zealand on Tuesday and will arrive at their destination of Nanchan on Wednesday.

Mr King said the group would be met by the children's ePals (pen pals over the internet) from Nanchan Foreign Language School, a big school of 3000 students from Years 7 to 13.

"We will have a walk through the school then have a social gathering with the students and their families.

"Our children will get to have a meal with the host families to get an insight into their daily life.

"We will also be learning about Chinese culture and history.

"We will learn about the uprising in China to do with the communist movement and we will visit the ancient village of Anyi."

The cost was paid for entirely by the children's families but on the next trip, maybe next year, Mr King said he hoped to do more fundraising to allow more children to take part.

He was also hoping to get other schools in his cluster including Tauriko, Kaimai and Pyes Pa schools to send groups.