Women on top in a downturn - Are women company directors well placed to face a downturn in business?

But just in case there are any real cynics among you, who are still sceptical even now, perhaps this procession of casual generalisations will remove any lingering doubts: ‘Women are great at multi-tasking and very good at coping with stress’ (Jill Shepherd, Bamboo Learning); ‘There is less competitiveness amongst women and as such, we’re more open to sharing best practice and support each other’ (Lesley Lant, Perennial Marketing); ‘Women tend to grow their businesses organically rather than making testosterone-driven decisions on equity funding’ (Katherine Leopold, PA London).

Female business owners are more likely to survive a recession thanks to their slow and steady approach, according to a new study by Business Link in London. The support group, which says that it ‘helped’ over 28,000 female-owned businesses in the capital last year, says that women are better at planning ahead, taking advice, and sharing their experiences than men –and they’re not so obsessed with chasing a fast buck. All of which makes them the perfect choice for an economic crisis.

In 2002 44% of primaries taught languages In 2007 the figure rose to 84%.

Traditional languages still dominate. 3% of primaries learn Chinese.

Last year the government accepted the findings of Lord Dearing in his review of languages when he said language learning should be compulsory in primary school.

Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "It's excellent news that so many children have the chance to learn a second language while at primary school.

"Children find language learning easier in primary than starting in secondary school.

"Today's research means that we are on target to meet our aim of ensuring all primary school children have the opportunity to learn another language by 2010."

The National Centre for Languages (Cilt), which promotes language learning and helps to train primary teachers to teach languages, says it is delighted by the findings.

Director of Comunications Teresa Tinsley said: "It's really good news. We were picking up that more schools were coming on board. There is a lot of demand for our support for training. It's an amazing, rapid development."

They are trying to pat themselves on the back a bit too early
Stefania Caddick-Adams, languages teacher

Berkshire teacher Stefania Caddick-Adams, who works to promote language teaching in about a dozen primary schools, says the latest research will mask great differences in what is really going on in primary schools.

Some schools, she says, might be seen as "teaching" a language because they have a parent who runs a French club after school, for example.

"They may do the register in a language every now and again or do PE in a language occasionally but that does not amount to proper language teaching.

"It is great that the government are highlighting the importance of languages but they are trying to pat themselves on the back a bit too early," she said

Nick Jr. extends commitment to the preschool animated television series Ni Hao, Kai-lan.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan in particular, centers itself around a little Asian-American girl named Kai-lan and her everyday adventures through playtime and self-discovery with her many animal friends. Debuting in early February of this year, the preschool animation has provided the Nick Jr. block with an abundance of creative diversity, a welcomed adjustment to the visual and storytelling aesthete that its young viewers so desperately crave.

"Kai-lan has charmed her way into the lives of preschoolers who tune in to experience her vibrant world which is infused with Mandarin language and Chinese culture," Brown Johnson, President of Animation, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, commented. "Ni Hao, Kai-lan furthers Nick Jr.'s ongoing commitment to developing diverse programming with characters who reflect today's preschoolers."

Ofsted and Ed Balls praise new initiative by top innovative schools teaching curriculum Mandarin Chinese.

The first and second schools to make Mandarin Chinese a compulsory part of the curriculum have been noticed once more for their innovation. This time the partnership between the schools has been praised by Ed Balls and Ofsted.

Pupils from Kingsford Community College in Beckton can win scholarships to top independent school Brighton College. Head teacher Ms Delandes and Mr Cairns Headmaster of Brighton College are sharing their educational expertise as governors on each other's school boards. Once an innovative school you continue to be innovative it seems.

The links between the schools have already won over one body more often noted for its trenchant criticisms of state schools – the aforementioned Ofsted. In a recent report on Kingsford, the inspectors declared: "The school has introduced a variety of initiatives that have raised the school's profile both locally and nationally. Some, such as the introduction of Mandarin and the link with an independent school to provide scholarships into their sixth-form, are highly innovative."

Part of China Now, 3000 children developing Chinese cross-curricula work have created a new Chinese opera.

350 students perform the new work alongside professional artists.This project is an initiative between the Hackney Music Development Trust (HMDT) and East Hackney Education Zone. 'Confucius says' is a new opera based on Chinese myths and legends written by Stephen Plaice and Richard Taylor for Hackney schools and children learning Chinese.

More and more graduates head to China for interesting work

Drawn by economic optimism and demand for English speakers, UK university leavers are increasingly heading east, says Danny Vincent

Saturday June 7, 2008
The Guardian

There was a time when a career in China for new graduates was limited to teaching English as a second language in a conversation school, but as a new generation realises its potential, graduates are now making careers from would-be career-breaks.
China has long inspired interest among graduates looking to broaden their horizons while adding to their CVs. The vast landscape, mystique and culture exceeds the nation's borders, but for all its thousands of years of history, it is the current expectations of the nation which is now capturing the imagination of many.

We share our experiences in teaching Mandarin Chinese young including Mandarama at the SSAT Chinese network conference

Please come and see us either at our exhibition stand or during our workshop. Get guest access to Mandarama at our stand and learn about how children learn languages young at our workshop. We are sharing our experience in teaching Chinese young and would like to hear your views too.

Professor Johnathan Spence is the 2008 Reith Lecturer - Chinese Vistas - details follow.

The 60th aniversary Reith Lectures take China as their subject, and are given by the eminent historian Professor Jonathan Spence.

Each of the lectures will be available after broadcast to listen again or download.
3 Jun 2008
09:00 -09:45
BBC Radio 4The Reith Lectures 2008
Confucian Ways
Spence reflects on China's most enduring thinker, Confucius.

Virtual worlds can be valuable places where children rehearse what they will do in real life, reveals research.

Virtual worlds can be valuable places where children rehearse what they will do in real life, reveals research.

They are also a "powerful and engaging" alternative to more passive pursuits such as watching TV, said the BBC-sponsored study.

Children even preschoolers learn Mandarin Chinese when its fun

'UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- One local school recently took part in a pilot program that teaches preschoolers how to speak Chinese.

Grover and Elmo from Sesame Street helped teach them Mandarin words at Gearity Elementary in University Heights. Teachers say the children picked up the language very quickly in the four week program.

The children also learned about how kids live in China. Gearity Elementary was one of only four schools taking part in the project in Ohio.

"It teaches them to respect other cultures," says Lorene Varley, the Early Childhood Program Specialist.

The Cleveland Heights University Heights District will also offer Mandarin to high school students in the fall, following a national trend.

"We want our students to be competitive," said Superintendent Deb Delisle.

The district is also working on a Chinese immersion program for the fall of 2009.'

wkyc.com May 2008