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<p>It is not possible to identify pupils entered for Mandarin Chinese from the Department's
data. However, the Department does hold information on the number of pupils entered
for GCSEs and A levels in Chinese which includes Mandarin Chinese and other Chinese
subjects.</p><p> </p><p>In 2012/13, 2,346 pupils were entered for GCSE Chinese and
2,665 pupils were entered for A level Chinese. This information is published in the
GCSE[1] and A level[2] statistical first releases.</p><p> </p><p>My Rt hon Friend,
the Secretary of State for Education, has pledged to increase the number of people
learning Mandarin Chinese in the UK. Offering more young people the chance to learn
Mandarin will help in our efforts to encourage mobility between the UK and China,
and help ensure the long-term success of our economy and society.</p><p> </p><p>A
number of organisations are carrying out activities with schools in support of these
aims. The British Council is working with Hanban, the Office of Chinese Language Council
International, to increase demand for Mandarin teaching in schools in the UK and to
address supply, for example by increasing the provision of Chinese Language Assistants.
The Institute of Education Confucius Institute is working with HSBC to promote more
teaching of Mandarin in primary schools. The Department is taking a close interest
in this work and providing encouragement and support at a high level.</p><p> </p><p>[1]<a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2012-to-2013-revised"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2012-to-2013-revised</a>
(Subject time series table)</p><p>[2]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-level-and-other-level-3-results-england-2012-to-2013-revised"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-level-and-other-level-3-results-england-2012-to-2013-revised</a>
(Table 2)</p><p> </p>
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