High school pupils learning Mandarin

The latest addition to Darwen Vale High School's teaching staff is Ke Li, who has swapped Shanghai for East Lancashire to teach pupils Mandarin.

With 885 million speakers - 500 million more than English - Mandarin is the world's most widely-spoken language.

Mr Li, 23, who admits he struggles with his pupils' accent, will be at the Blackburn Road school until June, teaching Mandarin and explaining Chinese culture to students.

He is one of only a handful of Chinese people to be placed in schools across the country by the British Council and has also been lending a hand in the canteen, adding an Oriental flavour to the school dinners.

Darwen Vale secured the appointment of Mr Li after applying to the British Council.

He said: "It's really different to what I am used to. The kids are really energetic compared to Chinese kids.

"And Darwen is very different from the Chinese cities I have been to before.

"But it's so far so good. I am starting with basic knowledge about China. Some of them know very little about it.

"Sometimes I find myself struggling with their accent, but I feel very proud to teach my own language.

"I've been learning English for 10 years so to try and teach others about my language is really interesting.

"And they are doing really well - it's probably quite a trendy language for them to learn." Darwen Vale assistant head Claire Redman said Mr Li's arrival was the shape of things to come. She said: "They have all accepted him, and it has really opened their eyes."

Meanwhile, plans are under way for a learning centre that teaches children to speak Mandarin.

Ming Fu, the owner of Mister Fu's Chinese restaurant, Preston New Road, Blackburn, is at the forefront of the initiative where Mandarin and tai-chi will be taught to children as young as three at St Wilfrid's High School and Technology College, Blackburn.

Council chiefs are consulting with the Chinese community about the possibility of introducing Mandarin lessons for youngsters.