Surge in Demand to Study Mandarin

A new report featured in TES, based on the British Council’s Language Trends England study, has revealed a significant imbalance in UK language education: for every one school offering Mandarin, there are seven students who want to learn it. While 37 percent of students aged 13 to 18 expressed interest in studying Mandarin, only 5 percent currently have access to it. Thousands of young people are missing out on Chinese language and cultural education due to a major gap between student interest and provision. This disparity highlights the urgent need for increased Mandarin teaching and underscores the importance of Kensington Wade, the only full Mandarin immersion school in the United Kingdom.

Kensington Wade, is the first and only bilingual English-Chinese prep school in the UK. From the age of three, children at Kensington Wade spend 50 percent of their school day immersed in Mandarin. They learn core subjects in Chinese and develop fluency through daily use of the language. Even pupils from non-Chinese-speaking homes quickly begin to greet, sing, count and play in Mandarin, progressing to reading, writing and discussing complex topics with confidence.

The impact of this immersive approach is evident. In 2024, a Year 5 pupil at Kensington Wade achieved a Grade 9 in Mandarin GCSE at the age of just 10. This exceptional result demonstrates the effectiveness of the school’s bilingual model and the high level of language proficiency that pupils can attain through early and consistent exposure.

Research and experience show that early childhood is the most effective time to learn a second language. Kensington Wade’s approach ensures that pupils develop fluency in both Mandarin and English, gain bi-cultural understanding, build cognitive flexibility and confidence, and are well prepared for entry to top senior schools through the 11+ process. The curriculum is fully aligned with the British education system, combining academic excellence with a global outlook.

The Language Trends England report also notes that while Mandarin GCSE entries have more than doubled over the past decade, A-level enrolments have declined. This is attributed to the difficulty of the course and a shortage of qualified teachers. Kensington Wade addresses this challenge by building fluency from the earliest years, giving children the foundation to succeed in advanced study later in their education.

Mandarin is not only a language of growing global importance, it is also a gateway to opportunity. Whether in business, diplomacy or culture, fluency in Mandarin equips young people to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

As demand for Mandarin continues to grow across the UK, Kensington Wade remains at the forefront of bilingual education, offering a unique and future-focused learning experience.