This project involved 163 primary students learning Mandarin Chinese through interactive activities like writing characters in jotters and decorating them with paper folding. The goals were to improve students' language skills, promote creativity, and inspire interest in Chinese culture. Teachers reported that the visual lessons kept students engaged and motivated. Students said they enjoyed making things and learning songs. The jotters helped review vocabulary over time outside of the weekly Mandarin lessons. Stimulating visual learning through colorful paper folding and 3D models was an effective way for students to learn Chinese characters and culture.

1. My Mandarin Jotter
Dufei He
East Lothian
Short description of tasks
• Pupils had to write down some Chinese characters
from my assignments in their jotters and decorate
it with Chinese paper folding then colour it.
Aims and Objectives
• Stimulate pupils interest in learning and improve
their skills and ability.
• Review vocabulary and learn new words.
• Cutting and folding promotes organizational and
problem solving skills.
• Inspire with visual imagery to improve pupils
creativity.
Language: Mandarin
Target Pupil Group: Primary students
Number of pupils involved: 163
Start and Finish
September 2016-June 2017

2. Relevance to CfE capacities
Confident Learners who find the language they are learning
to be visual, interesting, and intuitive.
Broadminded Individuals with empathy, tolerance and
respect without prejudice for Chinese language and culture.
Practical Contributors using their own initiative and
willingness to participate fully in learning to write Chinese
characters with the art of cutting and folding paper.
Responsible citizens who have a growing awareness of life
in another society and of the issues facing citizens in the country
where their new language is spoken.
This project helped students to become:

3. Quotes from
learners/teachers
• “I like it when we make stuff like the house that opens up.” Pupil 1
• “I think the lessons are very very very very fun and I like songs in
Mandarin!” Pupil 2
• “I love you teaching me Mandarin and I don’t want you to leave.”
Pupil 3
• “My class really enjoy Mandarin and they have learned a lot! Your
lessons are very visual and interesting. The children are always
engaged and motivated.” Teacher 1
• “Dufei is doing a wonderful job of encouraging my class to learn
Mandarin. She has a range of interesting and engaging materials
and puts thought into planning her weekly lessons, using games,
activities and drawings”. Teacher 2
3

4. Additional Details
• It is difficult for students to remember what they have learned
during a thirty minute Mandarin lesson every week, but the jotters
can help students review over time. Simple pasting helps present
the knowledge in a visual and creative manner.
• Colourful and three-dimensional formats stimulate pupils desire to
read through jotters.
• Stimulating interest in learning a new language is very important. I
adapt play dough to help students remember Chinese characters,
as well as Chinese money, chopsticks, noodles, shuttlecock,
painting and so on to help pupils know more about Chinese
culture.
• Make full use of local resources to compare and contrast two
cultures and environment towards respect for difference and
diversity. 4

5. Pupils exhibit their mandarin jotters and paper
folding.
Dot to dot from 1 to 20 Paper folding camera
www.britishcouncil.org 5