Education Studies with Mandarin

Did you know that Mandarin Chinese is currently the language with the greatest number of speakers in the world?

Competence in another language is fast become an essential skill for success in the global job market. By combining your study of Education Studies with Mandarin, you can develop your employability with a second language that helps distinguish you from other graduates. The skills acquired when learning a language are valued by employers and are transferable into many sectors.

You can start your study of languages at DMU in Mandarin at beginner, GCSE (intermediate) or advanced level and learn at a grade and pace that suits you and your needs.

Learning a new language not only helps to provide you with linguistic skills but can also enhance your skills in your native language and develop your presentation, written and critical skills.

You will cover Education Studies modules including Perspectives on Education, Inclusion and Diversity, Understanding Learning and Wellbeing, and Special Educational Needs, Disability and Neurodiversity. You will also take part in weekly language practice and conversation sessions, and intensive workshops, where you will develop your language skills through the study of the country and its society, culture and people.

Key features

• Learn a Mandarin while studying how people learn and perspectives on education, with the flexibility to specialise in your areas of interest through optional modules. Modules you can choose from include Creativity in Education, Radical Education and Music in the Life of the Primary School.

• Through block teaching, you will focus on one subject at a time instead of several at once. This means that you will be able to focus closely on each subject and absorb your learning material in more depth, whilst working more closely with your tutors and course mates.

• Successful completion of the course provides a foundation to progress onto ITT, enabling you to become a teacher in the UK.

• Engage with the local community and boost your CV through placements and volunteering opportunities at schools, art and learning centres or museums.

• Delivered by experienced academics and developed with input from sector professionals, ensuring learning is up to date with current practices and challenges in the sector.

• Placement opportunities offer you the chance to undertake work experience in local schools, where you can put your learning into practice and gain valuable real-world experiences.

• Our students have gained international experience related to their studies through our DMU Global programme. Education Studies students have previously explored museum education in Amsterdam, considered inequality and segregation in New York, and supported refugees in Berlin.

First Year
Block 1: An Introduction to Education: History and Academic Discipline

Block 2: Perspectives on Education

Block 3: Beginner or Post-Beginner French, Mandarin or Spanish

Block 4: Contemporary and Evidence-Based Issues in Education

In Block 1 and 2, you will also have one hour (two hours for Beginners) of language conversation weekly.

Second Year
Block 1: Ways of Learning and Wellbeing

Block 2: Research Methods in Education

Block 3: Post-Beginner or Intermediate French, Mandarin or Spanish

Block 4: Inclusion and Diversity

In Block 1 and 2, you will also have one hour (two hours for Post-Beginners) of language conversation weekly.

Third Year
Block 1 Select one of:

Creativity in Education
Radical Education
Global and Comparative Education
Music in the Life of the Primary School
Block 2 Select one of:

The Practice and Policies of Primary Education
Special Educational Needs, Disability and Neurodiversity
Education and Equality: Class, Race and Ethnicity
Block 3: Intermediate or Advanced French, Mandarin or Spanish

Block 4: Dissertation

In Block 1 and 2, you will also have one hour (two hours for Intermediate) of language conversation weekly.

This is a full-time course. Each module is worth 30 credits. You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, independent research and self-directed study. Assessment may include, but is not limited to:

• Presentations
• Micro-teaching sessions
• Contributions to electronic discussion boards
• Creating wikis and lesson planning
• Blogs
• Essays