Mandarin Clubs as a Solution to PPA: A Win-Win for Teachers and Students

In today’s primary education landscape, balancing curriculum demands with meaningful, culturally enriching activities is no easy feat. Add to that the growing need to provide high-quality cover during Planning, Preparation and Assessment (PPA) time, and school leaders are left searching for creative yet effective solutions.

Enter Mandarin Clubs — a modern, flexible, and future-facing option that’s proving to be a win-win for schools, teachers, and children alike.

Why Mandarin?

Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world, and with China playing an increasingly significant role on the global stage, it’s no surprise that Mandarin is gaining traction in UK schools. However, the benefits go beyond geopolitics:

• Cognitive advantage: Research shows that Mandarin stimulates both hemispheres of the brain due to its tonal nature and complex characters.

• Cultural literacy: Learning Mandarin opens a window into one of the world’s oldest and richest civilisations — offering children a perspective beyond Europe-centric curricula.

• Future readiness: Employers are increasingly valuing Mandarin skills, and early exposure makes later mastery far more achievable.

For schools, introducing Mandarin doesn’t need to mean overhauling the curriculum. A well-designed Mandarin Club can slot neatly into existing timetables — particularly during PPA — while delivering genuine educational value.

Solving PPA with Substance

Planning, Preparation and Assessment time is vital for teachers. Yet PPA cover too often falls to inconsistent, filler activities that struggle to engage students or align with wider learning goals.

Mandarin Clubs provide an innovative solution. When delivered by trained external providers, these sessions can:

• Cover full classes during designated PPA slots

• Provide a structured, progressive learning experience

• Meet Ofsted's criteria for broad and balanced curricula

• Offer children exposure to a non-European language — fulfilling MFL requirements in a unique way

Far from ‘babysitting’, Mandarin Clubs engage children in rigorous, enriching content that schools can be proud of.

What Makes a Mandarin Programme Engaging?

Not all language clubs are created equal. A modern Mandarin programme should be far more than rote repetition of vocabulary. Here’s what to look for:

1. Age-Appropriate, Play-Based Learning

Children in KS2 learn best through movement, storytelling and interaction. Effective Mandarin clubs use:

• Songs, chants and rhythm to reinforce vocabulary

• Stories featuring animal characters that weave in target language naturally

• Games and role-play that encourage speaking aloud with confidence

2. Progressive Structure

An engaging programme builds week-on-week, introducing new vocabulary while revisiting previous words to strengthen retention. Look for:

• Thematic modules (e.g., family, food, animals, seasons)

• Integration of cultural facts and festivals (e.g., Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival)

• Scaffolding to gradually increase sentence-building skills

3. Multisensory and Movement-Based Activities

Incorporating movement helps children connect physically with language:

• Acting out verbs like 跳 (tiào – jump) or 跑 (pǎo – run)

• Imitating animals or weather conditions

• Using rhythm sticks, scarves or parachutes to reinforce meaning

4. Cultural Immersion

Beyond vocabulary, the best clubs offer glimpses into Chinese life:

• Learning to use chopsticks or write Chinese calligraphy

• Hearing stories from Chinese folktales or festivals

• Practising Mandarin greetings, manners, and customs

5. Professional Delivery

Crucially, Mandarin Clubs should be delivered by specialist Mandarin educators who understand both the language and the UK school environment. Providers should:

• Offer full DBS-checked, safeguarding-trained staff

• Provide session plans that align with National Curriculum goals

• Be flexible, reliable, and easy to communicate with

Feedback from Schools and Parents

Schools that have embedded Mandarin Clubs into their weekly schedule report high levels of engagement and curiosity from pupils. Teachers often note that children are excited to share what they’ve learned — even practising at home or teaching phrases to siblings.

Parents are equally enthusiastic, appreciating that their children are gaining real-world skills during school hours without additional cost or stress.

“My daughter comes home singing in Mandarin every Thursday — I never expected her to be so confident in a completely new language,” says one parent from a South London primary school.

A Forward-Thinking Investment

Mandarin Clubs as a PPA solution aren’t just about filling time — they’re about enriching time. In an increasingly interconnected world, offering Mandarin to KS2 children sets them apart and sets your school ahead.

For headteachers and senior leaders seeking to maximise learning opportunities during PPA, Mandarin Clubs offer a unique blend of academic rigour, cultural capital, and joyful engagement.

A win-win, indeed.

Interested in bringing Mandarin Clubs to your school?
Choose a provider with a proven track record, a child-led methodology, and a commitment to making Mandarin magical.