How it was started?

A few months ago our Chinese teacher mentioned that she and a lot of her Chinese friends found it very difficult to raise their children to speak Mandarin in an English environment. A lot of them came from China and married English husbands.

Together we have set up Lichfield Mandarin Club, where we all meet up once a week. The aim of the club is to create a small Chinese community and teach our children to learn their own mother tongue.

Each week a mother will take it in turns to teach a topic from learning numbers to body parts.

We are charging £2 per child which covers drinks, venue fees and education materials etc. The club runs every Tuesday from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm at Darwin Hall, Lichfield.  Everyone are welcome.

All committee members are made up of the Chinese yummy mummies living in Lichfield. I'll also be responsible for our club's social media. I have already set up a twitter account @LichfieldMC and facebook page. Please give us a like to support our club!

I read an article online that said that by 2014 all primary schools will be expected to teach foreign languages to pupils, as part of a major drive to boost education standards. The Government said the teaching of Mandarin was seen as vital for Britain’s economic future. This is very welcome news as I'm in favour of teaching the children at a younger age because their brains are like sponges and absorb information easier.

Wrote By Eileen Teo 22/11/2012