Courses in Mandarin could be on the exam menu in Scotland by next year if a review of Chinese language units demonstrates sufficient support, a spokesman for the Scottish Qualifications Authority said. A report this week by the Hay Group suggests that poor language skills may hold back UK companies from developing business links with China.
At present, the SQA sets no exams in Mandarin - the most widely spoken of the Chinese languages. The only schools that do offer it, including St George’s School for Girls in Edinburgh and Hillhead High in Glasgow, do so under the aegis of GCSEs and A-levels.